Allegiance (As Blood Runs Black album)

Allegiance is the debut studio album by American deathcore band As Blood Runs Black. This is the band's only release with vocalist Chris Blair and guitarist Ernie Flores.

Musical style

Allegiance is a melodic metalcore/deathcore album that has been compared to the works of At the Gates, Unearth and Killswitch Engage. As Blood Runs Black utilizes various elements of death metal, melodic death metal, hardcore punk, metalcore, black metal, and grindcore by employing techniques such as death growls, shouts, shrieks, death metal riffs, tremolo picking, double kick and blast beat drums, drop-tuned breakdowns and melodic guitar solos.

Background

As Blood Runs Black was formed in 2003 in Los Angeles by vocalists Louie Ruvalcaba and Enrique "Ricky" Martin, guitarists Bijon Roybal and Kyle Hasenstab, bassist Richard Reyes, and drummer Brian "Animal" Matute. Matute would depart the band shortly after its formation and was replaced by Hector "Lech" De Santiago. The band recorded a demo in 2004 and another one in 2005; both demos featured the songs "Hester Prynne" and "In Dying Days", both of which would be re-recorded for Allegiance.

After the 2005 demo, the band was preparing to enter the studio to record its debut album, but every member except De Santiago left the band. De Santiago recruited vocalist Chris Blair, guitarist Ernie Flores, and bassist Nick Stewart to resume work on the band's debut. This lineup would record the Halloween of Massacre demo, which featured the songs "In Dying Days", "My Fears..." (later re-titled "My Fears Have Become Phobias"), "Hester Prynne", and "Chug Chug" (later re-titled "Strife (Chug Chug)"); all four songs would be re-recorded for Allegiance.

Allegiance was recorded in early 2006 and was self-produced by the band, with Baron Bodnar serving as executive producer.

Reception

Reviewers complimented the album's musicianship. Reviewers criticized the lack of differentiation between the album's tracks.

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
Blogcritics

Track listing

All tracks are written by As Blood Runs Black

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Intro" (Instrumental)	0:57
2.	"In Dying Days"	3:41
3.	"My Fears Have Become Phobias"	3:59
4.	"Hester Prynne"	3:38
5.	"Pouring Reign" (Instrumental)	3:13
6.	"The Brighter Side of Suffering"	4:54
7.	"The Beautiful Mistake"	4:34
8.	"Strife (Chug Chug)"	3:46
9.	"Beneath the Surface"	4:38
10.	"Legends Never Die"	3:44
Total length:		37:04

Credits

As Blood Runs Black

Chris Blair – vocals
Ernie Flores – guitar
Nick Stewart – bass
Hector "Lech" De Santiago – drums

Production

Produced by As Blood Runs Black
Recorded by Zack Ohren @ Castle Ultimate Studios
Executive Producer & Management – Baron Bodnar

Artwork

Layout by Calvin Exline

References

^ Brian Gould. "CD Review: As Blood Runs Black – Allegiance". Blog Critics. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
"As Blood Runs Black – Allegiance review". Metal Storm. August 6, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
^ Eduardo Rivadavia. "Review: Allegiance". Allmusic. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
https://metalstorm.net/pub/review.php?review_id=15870
https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/10594/As-Blood-Runs-Black-Allegiance/
https://www.allmusic.com/album/allegiance-mw0000435805
"As Blood Runs Black Demo 2004 (Demo)". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
"As Blood Runs Black Demo 2005 (Demo)". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
"As Blood Runs Black Halloween of Massacre (Demo)". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/allegiance-mw0000435805

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