''Blind'' is the third studio album by American
heavy metal band
Corrosion of Conformity, released on November 5, 1991 via
Relativity Records
Relativity Records was an American record label founded by Barry Kobrin at the site of his vinyl record shop, Important Record Distributors (IRD) in metropolitan New York City. The IRD distribution name was later known as RED Distribution and ag ...
. The album saw the band change their
crossover thrash
Crossover thrash (often abbreviated to crossover) is a fusion genre of thrash metal and hardcore punk. The genre emerged in the mid-1980s, when hardcore punk bands, such as Suicidal Tendencies, Cryptic Slaughter, Corrosion of Conformity and Dir ...
sound of the 1980s to a more straightforward metal sound.
''Blind'' was Corrosion of Conformity's first album in six years since the release of ''
Animosity'', and their first release with rhythm guitarist
Pepper Keenan as well as their only recording with
Karl Agell on vocals, and the only one on which original bassist
Mike Dean does not appear. Phil Swisher instead took his place – his sole appearance on a C.O.C. album.
The album was re-released through
in 1995, featuring three additional songs.
Reception
''Blind'' received a positive review from
AllMusic
AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...
writer Eduardo Rivadavia, who gave the album four-and-a-half stars out of five, and stated, "By the time they released 1991's ''Blind'',
crossover pioneers Corrosion of Conformity were pursuing a decidedly metallic direction, but this in no way compromised their punk ethic, overtly political lyrical themes, and incredible sonic aggression." Rivadavia described "Damned for All Time" and "Mine Are the Eyes of God" as "excellent tracks" that "manage to be both utterly heavy and surprisingly catchy", while he describes "Dance of the Dead" and "Echoes in the Well" as "straightforward metal as C.O.C. gets." He also described ''Blind'' as "simply one of the most important heavy rock albums of the decade."
''Blind'' was the album that broke Corrosion of Conformity into the heavy metal mainstream, peaking at number 24 on the
Heatseekers chart. One of the singles, "Dance of the Dead", saw regular radio play on popular stations such as Los Angeles's
KNAC.
"Vote with a Bullet" was also released as a single.
Track listing
Personnel
;Corrosion of Conformity
*
Karl Agell – lead vocals, saxophone on "Jim Beam and the Coon Ass"
* Woody Weatherman – lead guitar
*
Pepper Keenan – rhythm guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Vote with a Bullet" and "Jim Beam and the Coon Ass"
* Phil Swisher – bass
*
Reed Mullin – drums, backing vocals, saxophone case on "Jim Beam and the Coon Ass"
;Production
* Corrosion of Conformity – producer
*
John Custer – producer, mixing, guitar on "Jim Beam and the Coon Ass"
*
Steve McAllister – engineer, co-producer
* Garris Shipon – mixing
*
Tony Dawsey – mastering
;Artwork and photography
*
Bill Sienkiewicz
Boleslav William Felix Robert Sienkiewicz ( ; ; born May 3, 1958) is an American artist known for his work in comic books—particularly for Marvel Comics' ''The New Mutants (comic book), The New Mutants'', ''Moon Knight,'' and ''Elektra: Assassi ...
– artwork
*
Danny Clinch
Danny Clinch (born 1964) is an American photographer and film director.
Early life and education
Born in Toms River, New Jersey, Clinch graduated from Toms River High School East in 1982. After attending Ocean County College, he attended the New ...
– band photo
* David Bett – art direction
References
{{Authority control
Corrosion of Conformity albums
1991 albums
Relativity Records albums