Killing Floor - Zero Tolerance (2004)

"The Blues is something that touches everyone during their lifetime. For some it starts as early as childhood through parental or guardian neglect or abuse (emotional, physical, sexual) or bullying from peers or siblings using their power to inflict pain for whatever perverse reasons.

For others the Blues may occur during adolescence through rejection (loving someone who doesn't love you) or maybe feeling you are a failure or just not good enough.

In adulthood the Blues is felt when the loss of a valued relationship happens (death, bereavement) or through the loss of a job/unemployment/Rascism/sexism/Homophobia/disability/homelessness/poverty/aging and isolation, all of which may contribute to the Blues.

The Blues is indiscrimatory. It is endemic. It affects the young and old, rich and poor, black and white, women and men.

The Blues is a state of mental health. Depression is the Blues.

The songs on this album are about many of the above mentioned states which all of us in the band have at some time experienced, or still contend with to varying degrees.

In the UK during the year 2002, more people were prescribed anti-depressants for daily use than the total number of people who voted for Tony Blair's government!! That's a lot of people with the blues..."

Bill Thorndycraft

I znowu pościk w stylu "reunion". Tym razem inna legendarna grupa z kręgu "brudnego" bluesa - Killing Floor. Jak dla mnie może być, chociaż słychać, że muzycy nie mają już tej energii, co na "jedynce" czy na "Out Of Uranus". (W sumie co tu się dziwić? Minęło kilkadziesiąt latek)

Bill Thorndycraft (original singer) - Vocals, harp, and acoustic guitar.
Mick Clarke (original guitarist) - Vocals, electric and acoustic guitars
Stuart (Mac) McDonald (original bassist) - Bass
Lou Martin (original pianist) - Keyboards
Chris Sharley (Mick Clarke Band, ex Sassafrass) - Drums
Bazz Smith (original drummer) - Drums (tracks 3 & 12)

The band pick up where they left off all those years ago so this is high-energy blues-rock. Things kick off with a chugging rocker, "Burn Out", with clattering piano from Lou, Bill and Mick sharing the vocals and good harp and guitar. Another chugger follows, "Prozac Blues" with a nice steel guitar intro, liked this one. As I did the next track "Calm Down", a slow blues with excellent piano and some high-energy guitar work. "Sperm Bandit" sees some more good piano, harp and slide guitar. "The Big Issue" and the title track are protest /issue songs, the first being sort of punk blues and the latter being an aggressive song. I wasn't so keen on these. The two covers are Slim Harpo's "Strange Love" and Sonny Boy's "Bring it on Home". Both are delivered with a nice rolling beat, both have good harp work and the latter good piano and guitar too making it an excellent closer to the CD.

Other favourite tracks are the rocker "Iron Ewe" - touches of "Cell Block 9" - and "Road of Diamonds" with grand solos all round, my pick of the CD. Good to see the band doing a whole lot of new material; and not just re-treads of their earlier tunes. A solid rhythm section and good solos from all. Lou's piano playing impressed, not only his solos but also his fills and background playing. Solid vocals from both Bill and Mick, with trademark high-energy guitar work from Mick and some useful suckin' and blowin' from Bill. Overall a good modern blues-rock album that comes with a recommended sticker! (Jim Greaves, Blues in Britain)

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