Of One Blood

Of One Blood is the second album, crossing twin-guitar melody with raw vocals to keep constant tension in the songs. Released in April 2000 as their first for Century Media. Replacing Phil Labonte, Brian Fair of Boston metalcore pioneers Overcast joined on vocals. It's also the last album with David Germain, who left the next year over alcoholism. Recorded in 1999 at Planet Z Studios and produced by Zeuss, with Ray Michaud adding keyboard color. The rhythm is heavy, and even the breakdowns have a drive that never stops the flow. The short intro “Pain Glass Vision” tumbles into “Crushing Belial,” and re-recordings of the debut's “Fleshold,” “Revel in My Loss” and “To Ashes” sit alongside. Fair's roars and Bachand's clean singing create contrast, pulling genre-crossing elements into propulsive songwriting. Intricate guitar harmony and thrash precision coexist, and the density never drops through the closing “Serenity” — a record that hints at the leap to come.