The Bled

For all the bands that attempted unsuccessfully to follow in the footsteps of pioneers like Refused and At the Drive In, here’s one that seems to finally gets it right. The Bled are a five-piece hailing from the deserts of Arizona. On their latest release, Pass the Flask, the band manages to capture the intensity and musical validity of their predecessors with dark, eerie guitar parts and viciously energetic vocals. The quiet/loud contrasts of "Porcelain Hearts and Hammers for Teeth” and the haunting melodies on "Never Met Another Gemini” help round out the fiercely strong record. While there are some rough edges on the disc, like the ridiculously titled "Get Up You Son of a Bitch Cause Mickey Loves You,” overall Pass the Flask is a great listen.