Somehow I missed the news earlier this year about the formation of Grand Supreme Blood Court, though with a name like that I’m puzzled about how it could have eluded me. However, the unveiling yesterday of the cover art for their debut album, created by Axel Hermann (Asphyx, Grave, Unleashed, etc.), remedied the situation. It appears there will be blood and death, which is an appetizing prospect.
The prospect becomes even more mouth-watering when you understand who’s in this band. It’s the brainchild of former long-time Asphyx guitarist Eric Daniels. After being essentially out of metal for almost a decade, Daniels picked up his guitar again and started creating riffs. He shared them with select friends, and GSBC was eventually born. In addition to Daniels, it includes current Asphyx bass player Alwin Zuur (who plays guitars along with Daniels in GSBC), Bob Bagchus (Asphyx) on drums, Theo van Eekelen (Hail of Bullets) on bass, and the always stunning Martin van Drunen (Asphyx) handling the vocals and lyrics.
GSBC has finished recording a debut concept album — Bow Down Before the Blood Court — which was mixed by the awesome Dan Swanö (Edge Of Sanity, Bloodbath) and is scheduled for release by Century Media on November 12 in Europe and November 20 in the U.S.
With a five-man line-up, four of whose members consist of current or former members of Asphyx, the obvious question — which Eric Daniels will no doubt tire of answering until GSBC’s music is finally released — is what GSBC has to offer that’s different from the music of Asphyx?
Based on recent interviews of Daniels (such as this one), the music will be “brutal, heavy, and to-the-bone doom/death”, with massive riffs, pounding drums, and guitars that “are sawing big trees”, and tracks that vary from mid-paced to doom-style crawls. Yet by fielding the talents of two guitarists, Daniels says that GSBC will offer “a different kind of riffing and some sick yet harmonic, epic pieces”.
All of that sounds fuckin’ A-OK to me.
Unfortunately, I don’t yet have any music to stream for you. Word is that the first song premiere will take place at www.rockhard.de on September 24, 2012. We’ll be watching for that.
GSBC’s Facebook page is here.
2 Responses to “GRAND SUPREME BLOOD COURT”
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To me this is totally redundant and simply waters down Martin van drunen. He’s in 2 bands, Hail of Bullets being far superior to Asphyx. But Asphyx came first, so I tolerate them being around.
But I can’t imagine this album/and being anything but a blip on the radar when all is sad and done. I have heard A note of it. But I kinda don’t like the idea of it.
Patience, grasshopper.