2005 - Backstreet Records Official Site

Review by O.M.O.M.  

God Bless America. God Bless V-8’s, Marshall amps, Miller High Life, fake knockers and good old-fashioned fist pounding metal.  That’s right kiddies, not that European stuff with all the layers and harmonies, or prog-metal with all the thinking mans’ twaddle; gimmie apple pie, 3 chord, blue-collar metal.  The kind of metal that you hear at the local biker bar, knocking back whiskey whilst sneaking peeks of the scantily clad hottie and hoping that her just-out-of-prison boyfriend with all the tats doesn’t catch you and snap that pool cue over your gourd. 

Not to knock progressive or alt-metal, but after a hard night at the factory it’s time to knock back a six pack and purge some demons.  Straight out of Richmond, Virginia comes Bullistic to feed your fix for meat and potatoes metal with the release of their debut CD, Chronicles Of Love & Hate.  Formed in 2001, Bullistic added vocalist Doug Gibson in 2004 and drummer Shane Kellis earlier this year before recording their debut release for Backstreet Records.  If you are a fan of bands like Black Label Society, Brand New Sin and Pantera, you’ll find Bullistic to be your brand of brew. 

“Now & Forever” leads of the disc with a pounding, fist clenching riff that features actual singing, not a screaming, incoherent howl that many bands insert to show you how pissed off they are.  The ten originals on the disc showcase a solid slab of barroom metal that will have you wishing you were in a dimly lit, smoky rock joint fighting with the locals.  Even the slower paced numbers such as “Eulogy” and “Discarded Soul” carry a rough edge that will keep you from skipping past them to the heavier tracks.  The disc is filled out with a middle of the road cover of “Stuck In The Middle” that comes off pedestrian until halfway through when the band finally kicks it in and adds their own stamp on the tune.  Close things out with an extended version of the track “Ignorance & Innocence” and you are left with an impressive debut by a band to keep an eye out for.  Now crank it up and pass me a brewski. 

Rating: 84/100