Kill or be Killed was the debut recording for New Jersey's speed/thrash pioneers Blessed Death. Originally released in 1985 on Megaforce records, it was relegated to second or third tier status behind other contemporaries as it was plagued by poor production, musical misdirection and rather unsettling/overbearing vocals and lyrics. Not much has changed for today except for some nostalgic warmth that helps distract you from some of the clichés-- Although B.D. did have one moment of true inspiration!? It can be said that this band penned the first tribute to the eradication of the police in "Pig Slaughter" not Body Count's "Cop Killer"! If you want a smile just find the lyrics and give them a view and raise your fist and…Ok enough of the clichés! Well, one more… This band did something very popular at the time and that was to write a self titled epic and theirs is a real "beaut"! Check out these lyrics: "Blessed death/ to a life on this earth/Blessed death/unknown to birth." Do you feel that? Me neither because its fookin awful! ;-) Oh, and the musical buildup? Isn't any better, trust me!
This CD actually brought me to tears due to its absolute hilarity with its borrowed riffs and ludicrous social commentary. Back then, you spent your hard earned change based on the cool factor of the band's name and the album cover. If it sucked, you were pretty much stuck with it and you had to convince yourself to like it by any means necessary. Thankfully, for me, it didn't happen with this one. Anyway, If you are looking for something musically proficient or lyrically profound-- fo'get bout it! This does, however, offer the good spirit of the 80's in all of its true folly. And if you want to document that-- this is essential! As far as bonus material, I don't believe this has anything different except for the digital transfer to CD and the remaster which only brings the mud and midrange a little closer. Have fun!
Track listing
1. Melt Down
2. Pig Slaughter
3. Omen of Fate
4. Into the Ovens
5. Knights of Old Bridge
6. Eternal War
7. Blessed Death
8. Napalm
9. Kill Or Be Killed
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