Review
Bloodletter
A Different Kind Of Hell

Wise Blood Records (2023) Sarah Jane

Bloodletter – A Different Kind Of Hell cover artwork
Bloodletter – A Different Kind Of Hell — Wise Blood Records, 2023

Bloodletter are a four piece thrash metal outfit from Chicago, Illinois and are here to assault your ears in the best possible way with their new album, A Different Kind Of Hell. Formed in 2012 and performing highly toned and proficient thrash/speed metal with melodic undertones and solo's to die for. A Different Kind Of Hell is their third full length album and is eleven tracks of smouldering super charged metal that is as epic as it is catchy.

Fans of SlayerKreatorExodus and Children Of Bodom will revel in Bloodletters similar style with faultless drumming, thumping bass, raging guitar and the sonic edgy vocal line from Pete Carparelli. Whilst Bloodletters previous albums Under The Dark Mark (2018) and Funeral Hymns (2020) convey a more personal outlook, A Different Kind Of Hell has been devised as a concept album into a supernatural world and the fate of one man. Carparelli describes that "the album is based on the journey of a lone adventurer who eventually falls victim to a malevolent force. Each song relives a part of their nightmare and descent into Hell".

It's hard to not just write Wise Blood Records words describing this album verbatim as they do a really good job of detailing A Different Kind Of Hell as an album. I love the fact that they call it a "thrashterpiece" and that the guitar solos are "hotter than a burning church" because I feel like these are true statements! Whilst Bloodletter have some very similar traits to their sound and song structure I like to think they have a way about them that makes them stand out. The melodic death metal mingles effortlessly with the power and pace of speed/thrash but as well as this I get the hint of technical punk rock like Propagandhi executed perfectly with great skill from the whole band. Everything is well balanced with nothing overpowering each other. The thunderous backline is ever present and a driving force. The guitar sound is bright and clear without any hint of muddiness yet they still manage to convey a feeling of darkness and foreboding when needed. This may have something to do with Carparelli's piercing and evil sounding vocals. From the eleven tracks on A Different Kind Of Hell it is actually really quite hard to narrow the album down to stand out tracks as the whole album flows well altogether. If I were to pick of stand outs though, for me, they would be "Blood Is Life", "Bound & Ravaged", "The Last Tomb" and "What Lies Beneath", the latter for its haunting intro and classic sound.

A Different Kind Of Hell certainly makes you sit up and pay attention. Their appreciation for the bands that have gone before them and their talent means they have what it takes to continue the genre without the risk of ruining the structure which is something to be applauded and praised for a job well done. I have high hope for these guys. Bloodletter have been doing this for just over a decade now and have put out several EP's and now soon to be three full length albums to their names that are all insanely good and they show no sign of stopping.

If you haven't already, please check out their back catalogue whilst you are eagerly awaiting the release of A Different Kind Of Hell on July 21st. The best way to do this would be to visit their bandcamp page where their main releases are available. Don't miss the chance to check the hilariously titled single from Oct 2022 called "668: Neighbor Of The Beast" for an extra treat!

Bloodletter – A Different Kind Of Hell cover artwork
Bloodletter – A Different Kind Of Hell — Wise Blood Records, 2023

Recently-posted album reviews

Errth

Errth
Uncle Style Records (2025)

What makes a gruff vocal melodic punk band stand out? That's the question I'm asking myself as I listen to Errth's debut on repeat. I've been playing this record for probably a month straight and I dig it. It checks the heart-on-sleeve style I enjoy but I'm struggling to figure out why, exactly. I think on this, it's the tones … Read more

1186

Histeria
Drunken Sailor (2025)

If you read enough press releases, you start questioning if you even know what genre names mean. Post-punk has been one of the most abused terms of the past 2-3 years and it seems to mean wildly different things to different people. To me, it’s always meant an ear for angular guitars and noise atop more traditional song concepts. 1186 … Read more

Li Jianhong

Shuttle Raven of the Dream
Utech (2025)

Li Jianhong's philosophy surpasses the direct relationship of a musician with their instrument of choice. Instead, Li has advocated for Environment Improvisation, where the urge to create and improvise is established by the artist's surroundings. Looking at Li's website you can find numerous instances that inspired him to settle down and start improvising, drawing energy from the surroundings. The music … Read more