Blind (Corrosion of Conformity album)

Blind is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Corrosion of Conformity, released on November 5, 1991 via Relativity Records. The album saw the band change their crossover thrash sound of the 1980s to a more straightforward metal sound.

Blind
Studio album by Corrosion of Conformity
Released	November 5, 1991 (1991-11-05)
Recorded	1991
Studio	Baby Monster Studios, New York City
Genre	Sludge metal stoner metal thrash metal
Length	55:30
Label	Relativity
Producer	John Custer Corrosion of Conformity
Corrosion of Conformity chronology
Technocracy (1987) Blind (1991) Deliverance (1994)
Singles from Blind
"Dance of the Dead" Released: 1991[1] "Vote with a Bullet" Released: 1992[2]

Blind was Corrosion of Conformity's first album in six years since the release of Animosity, and their first release with rhythm guitarist Pepper Keenan as well as their only recording with Karl Agell on vocals, and the only one on which original bassist Mike Dean does not appear. Phil Swisher instead took his place – his sole appearance on a C.O.C. album.

The album was re-released through Columbia Records in 1995, featuring three additional songs.

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[3]
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal	9/10[4]
Entertainment Weekly	A[5]
Hit Parader	[6]
Rock Hard	8/10[7]
Select	[8]

Blind received a positive review from AllMusic writer Eduardo Rivadavia, who gave the album four-and-a-half stars out of five, and stated, "By the time they released 1991's Blind, crossover pioneers Corrosion of Conformity were pursuing a decidedly metallic direction, but this in no way compromised their punk ethic, overtly political lyrical themes, and incredible sonic aggression." Rivadavia described "Damned for All Time" and "Mine Are the Eyes of God" as "excellent tracks" that "manage to be both utterly heavy and surprisingly catchy", while he describes "Dance of the Dead" and "Echoes in the Well" as "straightforward metal as C.O.C. gets." He also described Blind as "simply one of the most important heavy rock albums of the decade."^[3]

Blind was the album that broke Corrosion of Conformity into the heavy metal mainstream, peaking at number 24 on the Heatseekers chart.^[9] One of the singles, "Dance of the Dead", saw regular radio play on popular stations such as Los Angeles's KNAC.^[10] "Vote with a Bullet" was also released as a single.

Track listing

No.	Title	Lyrics	Length
1.	"These Shrouded Temples..." (instrumental)		2:37
2.	"Damned for All Time"		5:52
3.	"Dance of the Dead"		4:29
4.	"Buried"		5:18
5.	"Break the Circle"		4:10
6.	"Painted Smiling Face"		4:24
7.	"Mine Are the Eyes of God"		5:00
8.	"Shallow Ground" (instrumental)		2:21
9.	"Vote with a Bullet"		3:27
10.	"Great Purification"	Phil Swisher	4:33
11.	"White Noise"		4:19
12.	"Echoes in the Well"		5:33
13.	"...Remain" (instrumental)		0:28
Total length:			55:30

All lyrics are written by Karl Agell and Pepper Keenan, except where noted; all music is composed by Corrosion of Conformity, except where noted

Columbia re-release

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
14.	"Condition A/Condition B" (instrumental)		1:09
15.	"Future/Now" (MC5 cover)	Rob Tyner	2:49
16.	"Jim Beam and the Coon Ass"		2:35

Personnel

Corrosion of Conformity

• Karl Agell – lead vocals, saxophone on "Jim Beam and the Coon Ass"
• Woody Weatherman – lead guitar
• Pepper Keenan – rhythm guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Vote with a Bullet" and "Jim Beam and the Coon Ass"
• Phil Swisher – bass
• Reed Mullin – drums, backing vocals, saxophone case on "Jim Beam and the Coon Ass"

Production

• Corrosion of Conformity – producer
• John Custer – producer, mixing, guitar on "Jim Beam and the Coon Ass"
• Steve McAllister – engineer, co-producer
• Garris Shipon – mixing
• Tony Dawsey – mastering

Artwork and photography

• Bill Sienkiewicz – artwork
• Danny Clinch – band photo
• David Bett – art direction

References

1. "Corrosion Of Conformity Dance of the Dead (Single)". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
2. "Corrosion Of Conformity Vote with a Bullet - The Consolidated Re-Mix Version". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
3. AllMusic review
4. Popoff, Martin (2007). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 3: The Nineties. Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Collector's Guide Publishing. p. 88. ISBN 978-1-894959-62-9.
5. Garza, Janiss (December 20, 1991). "Blind: Music Review". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 21, 2009. Retrieved August 23, 2009.
6. Dowling, Danielle (April 1992). "Indie Reviews". Hit Parader. No. 331. p. 69 – via Internet Archive.
7. Rock Hard Editorial (November 22, 1991). "Blind". Rock Hard (in German). Retrieved August 4, 2023. (subscription required)
8. Blellock, Marilla (January 1992). "Sound Bites". Select. EMAP. p. 69.
9. "Blind - Corrosion of Conformity - Awards". Allmusic.com. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
10. "KNAC A to Z Listing". KNAC Tribute. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2013.