Description
Corrosion of Conformity – Blind – Double Vinyl Record
Corrosion of Conformity’s Blind (1991) is a landmark album for the American metal band, representing a major stylistic shift from their earlier crossover thrash and hardcore punk roots to a heavier, groove-oriented sludge metal and stoner rock sound. Blind marked a significant turning point in the band’s career, blending influences from thrash metal, doom metal, and Southern rock, and is often considered one of their most important and influential releases.
With Blind, Corrosion of Conformity (COC) introduced a more polished, groove-laden style that would later help define the stoner metal genre. It was also their first album to feature guitarist Pepper Keenan as a key member, who would go on to become the band’s lead vocalist on subsequent records. His presence, along with the powerful vocal performance of Karl Agell, added new dimensions to COC’s sound, making Blind a highly regarded record in the metal community.
On Blind, COC moved away from the faster, hardcore punk energy of their earlier albums like Animosity (1985) and leaned into a slower, heavier sound. Tracks are built around thick, groovy guitar riffs and crushing rhythms, taking inspiration from Southern rock, Black Sabbath-style doom metal, and the emerging groove metal scene. The result is a sound that is both heavy and accessible, laying the groundwork for what would later evolve into the stoner metal subgenre.
The album features a more polished production compared to the raw, aggressive sound of their earlier work. Producer John Custer helped craft a sound that balances aggression with clarity, allowing the massive guitar riffs and powerful vocal performances to shine through.
Despite the shift in sound, there are still moments of fast, thrash-influenced intensity on Blind. Tracks like “Damned for All Time” retain the speed and aggression of COC’s thrash metal roots, blending seamlessly with the slower, more groove-oriented songs.
Key Tracks
“Vote with a Bullet”: One of the standout tracks on the album, “Vote with a Bullet” features Pepper Keenan on lead vocals for the first time. The song is driven by a sludgy, mid-tempo groove and politically charged lyrics, making it a fan favorite. Its heavy, riff-based structure and anthemic chorus helped define the band’s future direction.
“Dance of the Dead”: This track showcases the band’s ability to blend thrash energy with a more groove-oriented approach. It features fast, aggressive riffs, powerful drumming, and a vocal performance from Karl Agell that mixes intensity with melody. The song is a perfect example of the band’s crossover sound on Blind.
“Damned for All Time”: One of the more thrash-oriented tracks on the album, “Damned for All Time” harkens back to COC’s earlier style. It’s fast, heavy, and relentless, with blistering guitar solos and a driving rhythm section.
“Shallow Ground”: This song features a slower, more atmospheric approach, with doom-laden riffs and a heavy, crushing sound. The song’s lumbering pace and thick, distorted guitars give it a menacing, oppressive feel, showing the band’s ability to shift between tempos and moods.
“White Noise”: A political and socially conscious track, “White Noise” is built around a sludgy, Southern rock-inspired riff. The lyrics deal with issues of media manipulation and control, reflecting the band’s penchant for socially aware themes.
Lyrically, Blind deals with themes of political corruption, social injustice, and the manipulation of power. Tracks like “Vote with a Bullet” and “White Noise” are direct in their political messaging, urging listeners to question authority and take action. The album reflects a growing sense of frustration and anger at the political landscape of the early 1990s. Alongside its political themes, Blind also touches on more personal issues, including inner conflict, rebellion, and existential struggles. Songs like “Damned for All Time” explore themes of guilt, redemption, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. The slower, more atmospheric tracks on the album often evoke imagery of decay, destruction, and Southern Gothic themes. The band’s shift towards a heavier, doom-influenced sound is reflected in the darker lyrical content and brooding atmosphere.
Blind marks the first appearance of Pepper Keenan as a full-time guitarist, and his contributions are central to the album’s success. His riffs are thick, groovy, and powerful, blending Southern rock influences with the heaviness of doom metal. His vocal debut on “Vote with a Bullet” hinted at the direction COC would take on later albums, with his deep, gritty voice becoming a signature part of the band’s sound.
Karl Agell’s vocal performance on Blind is another standout aspect of the album. His voice is powerful and melodic, providing a strong contrast to the heavier instrumentation. His ability to mix aggression with melody adds depth to the album’s more groove-oriented tracks.
Reed Mullin, one of the founding members of the band, delivers a dynamic and versatile performance on the drums. His ability to switch between fast thrash beats and slower, more groove-heavy rhythms helps define the album’s sound. His tight, powerful drumming is a key element in maintaining the album’s heavy, driving momentum.
The guitar work on Blind is filled with crushing riffs and searing solos. The interplay between Keenan and fellow guitarist Woody Weatherman creates a dense, layered sound that mixes Southern rock with metal heaviness. The solos are often wild and chaotic, adding a layer of intensity to the more groove-based songs.
Blind is often regarded as the album that helped Corrosion of Conformity transition from their hardcore punk origins to the Southern-influenced metal sound that would define their later work. This shift allowed them to reach a broader audience and set the stage for future success, particularly with their 1994 album Deliverance. The album’s blend of heavy, groove-oriented riffs and Southern rock influences had a significant impact on the development of the groove metal and stoner rock scenes. Bands like Down, Clutch, and Crowbar have cited COC’s influence in helping to shape the sound of Southern metal and stoner rock. Although Blind didn’t achieve mainstream commercial success upon its release, it has since been recognized as a cult classic in the metal community. Fans and critics have praised the album for its innovative blend of styles and its raw, powerful energy.
Blind by Corrosion of Conformity is a groundbreaking album that marked a significant shift in the band’s sound and helped shape the groove metal and stoner rock genres. With its mix of heavy, Southern-influenced riffs, political and personal themes, and dynamic performances from Pepper Keenan, Karl Agell, and the rest of the band, Blind stands as one of COC’s most influential and enduring releases. Tracks like “Vote with a Bullet” and “Dance of the Dead” showcase the band’s ability to blend aggression with groove, while the album’s overall sound laid the groundwork for their later success and influence on the metal scene.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
These Shrouded Temples…
Damned For All Time
Dance Of The Dead
Buried
Break The Circle
Painted Smiling Face
Mine Are The Eyes Of God
Shallow Ground
Vote With A Bullet
Great Purification
White Noise
Echoes In The Well
…Remain
Condition A/Condition B
Future/Now
Jim Bean And The Coon Ass
Damned For All Time (Demo 1991)
Dance Of The Dead (Demo 1991)
Days Of Rage (Hard Reign) (Demo 1991)
Buried (Demo 1988)
Fast Song (Instrumental) (Demo 1988)
Slow Song/Buried (Instrumental) (Demo 1988)
