File Under: Metal/Hardcore rating: C tracks 1. Learn To Fly: Ascent 2. The Way of Leeches 3. I Have Such a Hard Time Making New Friends 4. Vision Quest 5. Holy Rollin' Homicide 6. Learn To Fly: Descent 7. The Way of the Will 8. Three Humid Nights in the Cypress Trees 9. Worms 10. Motel Surgery 11. Learn to Fly: Impact 12. The Way of the Knife related links Bloodlet

For those inside the small community of people who felling love with the metallic, grindcore sounds that came into existence in the mid-90s were greeted by the harsh sounds and disturbing lyrics of Bloodlet. When they dissolved a few years back, people were left with a void that would not be easily filled, for some of the same reasons Bloodlet called it quits. A lack of following and the inability to make enough money to pull off a reasonable tour strained the scene and led to a dormancy for all but a few bands involved.

With the return of harder music and it’s acceptance by the youth of the punk scene and by outlets in the commercial music world opening, Bloodlet has once again strapped on the guitars and headed to the studio with acclaimed producer Steve Albini to produce their "return to the fold" release, Three Humid Nights in the Cypress Trees.

Pulling from the same spirit that band carried in with its earlier releases, Bloodlet set out for an all out aural assault and mental flogging with this release. Adding in some oddly placed clean vocals, the album never captures the mood of their past releases. Something is missing that is not easily noticed. Vocalist Scott Angelacos seems just as disturbed as he was before the initial hiatus Bloodlet took, but the feeling doesn’t seem to convey itself as effortlessly as before. Time may not heal his wounds, but something needs to take place to get this album on the right track.

In the end, the band was unable to achieve the sinister fright of their past releases and the album suffers. After the years of hopes and nightmares waiting for this record to come to life, many a fan will be thankful for a new offering from Bloodlet, while others will walk away still thirsty for a taste of the music they had depended on.

Samuel Barker is Senior Editor. Contact him at suma@rockzone.com.