Soul Blind "Feel It All Around" (2022)

 

Stepping back from the metallic grungy raptures of Red Sky Mourning, Feel It All Around plays rather unsurprisingly like its natural predecessor. With less bombast, more shoegaze, fewer grooves and added wallow, the initial shift in intensity ends up churning out a similar emotive tone. Soul Blind have a unique voice emanating through influences from the foundations of well executed songwriting fundamentals.

Similar comparisons to Alice In Chains and the broader Grunge and Alternative Metal scenes can be drawn but within this chapter, their focus turns to dreary downtrodden revelry. Moody, sombre affairs flirting with with both a glum dark and momentary light as chunky power chords inject rhythm between bluesy shoegazing indulgences.

Slower in pace, less theatrical in nature, its songs roll one into the next, each feeling cohesive as its muddy wall of guitar groaning doesn't venture to far from home. Stuck In A Loop and Everyday play as brighter sparks on the journey. Its three closing tracks show the bands hand somewhat. Lead guitar boldly echo The Smashing Pumpkins. Its execution is timely, a fond reminder of the 90s in which these vibes originated.

Rating: 8/10

Soul Blind "Red Sky Mourning" (2025)

 

I can't recall the last time I took to a record so swiftly. That's high praise considering my perpetual binging of its ten tracks has yet to dull. Opening up with a classy replica of late Alice In Chains, crunchy guitar grooves and that distinct harmonious singing kicks off a ceaseless run of moody, downtrodden aggressive goodness. With originality absent and familiarities running a mental list of possible mentions, Soul Blind's songwriting speaks volumes. A firm command of atmosphere and momentum seamlessly swings between hazy washes of bluesy grievance and rapturous head banging energy. Tracks tear through by on this engrossing fuzzy guitar noise, with splurges of Shoegaze melody, finding slick pivots into thudding romps of mammoth guitar groove. Sludgy, metallic, grungy and thunderous upon its arrival.

Ultimately, the aforementioned similarities seem skin deep, as emerging through obvious influences emerges a voice shaped to its own expression. Soul Blind house ill emotions. Frustration, sorrow, sadness and melancholy brood within to be exhaled through spurts of channeled aggression. The big riffs are memorable but its magic comes from the moody ruminations between. Early on the record plays these sways within tightly tuned songs. As it grows, more light is given to its aesthetic indulgence, the bluesy side, resulting in some beautifully sullen numbers like its title track. This dynamic keeps the record emotional and engaging till its final note. Its very hard to pick a favorite track, I want to play the whole thing front to back every time!

Rating: 9/10