Blood Has Been Shed

Some people might view Connecticut as a safe, clean, New England state, a perfect piece of real estate in which to bring up the kids. Well, with one listen to Blood Has Been Shed's Spirals, you might think twice about packing up the family and calling Connecticut home. Spirals, the band's latest release for Ferret Recordings, is easily the heaviest thing Blood Has Been Shed has ever done, eclipsing 2001's, Novella Of Uriel. Singer Howard Jones feels that Spirals is more complex than its predecessor and notes that with this album there was a steady line-up –without the drama involved with member changes. In addition, thanks to the relaxed atmosphere provided by local producer Zeuss (Hatebreed, God Forbid, Shadows Fall), Blood Has Been Shed was able to achieve a cleaner, less muddied production and sound quality to the album. Jones does double duty as the frontman for Killswitch Engage, another band discovered by Ferret that eventually graduated to Roadrunner Records, but Jones insists that using his throat in two bands doesn't wear him or his instrument out. Despite Jones' other job, the five-year-old Blood Has Been Shed remains an active band. While guitarist Corey Unger has kids and runs his family business, he still finds time to rip shit up with his band. The band plays shows whenever the opportunity befalls it, and they embark on small tours when the opportunities arise. The band has shared the stage with everyone from Shadows Fall, Shai Hulud, Unearth, Poison The Well, American Nightmare, From Autumn To Ashes, and Sworn Enemy. Spirals might very well be Blood Has Been Shed's defining moment in the metalcore scene, thanks to Unger's battering riffery and Jones' bipolar vocal prowess.