New CD, Last Copy!

CUSTOMER REVIEW

Antiseptic Bloodbath never lets up. It’s a tour de force. I’m not going to say “this is the best thrash album ever,” but when I compare it to other albums, I consistently find the others coming up short.

The music is dense—packed with ideas. Every moment, every musician is doing something brilliant. Sonically, it might be the most layered, idea-rich album I’ve ever heard. The riffs almost never repeat the same way twice. You don’t notice it at first, but the deeper you listen, the more you realize how much creativity is bursting out of every second. Not a moment is wasted.
Ted Kirkpatrick is on fire. Ted… how do you do it? Seriously. You keep getting better.

That’s part of the beauty here—the ideas are fresh. This is an album for musicians to contemplate, study, and grow into. Antiseptic Bloodbath sets the bar impossibly high. I don’t know if even they can top it, but I hope they try. And I hope every other thrash band is paying attention, because this is something new. It’s absolute genius.

And the guest guitarists? Inspired decision.
Marty Friedman delivers two of the best solos I’ve ever heard—overflowing with emotion and technical brilliance. The Maiden Who Slept in the Glass Coffin may be conventional in spots (especially the vocal section in the middle), but the instrumental passages are first inspiring… then blistering.

This isn’t a simple or immediately accessible album. It’s the kind of album that keeps giving, rewarding repeated listens. Every time I hear it, I like it more.

Now—things some listeners might not like:

The vocals.
The singer who sounds like Gary Lenaire? I love this guy. I had to check the lineup to make sure it wasn’t him. The other vocalist doesn’t sound exactly like Guy Ritter, but he uses similar phrasing and stays true to the spirit of classic Tourniquet while maintaining his own identity. Guy Ritter’s vocals were always creepy and foreboding, and this album honors that while offering something new. Any negative press about the vocals is exaggerated.

The acoustic string instruments.
Some people aren’t ready for that, but they’re not just “added”—they’re necessary. Ted Kirkpatrick is a musical visionary. After decades of writing elite thrash, he introduces cellos, violin, and brass because the music needs them. Without those textures, the thematic depth and the exploration of motifs wouldn’t be the same. Ask yourself: What is Ted trying to convey? It’s intentional. It’s purposeful. And it’s bold—Tourniquet took a risk because they know what their songs require.

The religious content.
I’m not a religious person, and yes—some of the lyrical themes might bother certain listeners. And honestly? Good.
Slayer challenges us with horror. Megadeth with politics. Metallica with despair. Tourniquet challenges us with spiritual themes. If you can stomach Dead Skin Mask, you can handle Tourniquet’s perspective. Thrash metal is supposed to confront you. If you’re Christian, this is your reward—all the riffs, none of the guilt.

Track Listing

1. Chart of the Elements (Lincchostbllis) – 6:38
Featuring lead guitar: Bruce Franklin
Words & Music: Ted Kirkpatrick

2. Antiseptic Bloodbath – 6:11
Featuring lead guitar: Pat Travers
Words & Music: Ted Kirkpatrick

3. The Maiden Who Slept in the Glass Coffin – 7:28
Featuring lead guitar: Marty Friedman
Words & Music: Ted Kirkpatrick

4. Chamunda Temple Stampede – 5:19
Featuring lead guitar: Karl Sanders
Words & Music: Ted Kirkpatrick

5. Flowering Cadaver – 5:19
Words & Music: Ted Kirkpatrick

6. 86 Bullets – 5:12
Featuring lead guitar: Santiago Dobles
Words & Music: Ted Kirkpatrick

7. Duplicitous Endeavor – 5:02
Music: Aaron Guerra
Words: Luke Easter

8. Lost Language of the Andamans – 6:57
Featuring lead guitar: Santiago Dobles
Words & Music: Ted Kirkpatrick

9. Carried Away on Uncertain Wings – 4:52
Words: Luke Easter
Words & Music: Aaron Guerra

10. Fed by Ravens, Eaten by Vultures – 8:08
Words & Music: Ted Kirkpatrick

Credits

Band Members

• Ted Kirkpatrick – drums, additional bass

• Aaron Guerra – guitars, bass

• Luke Easter – vocals

Guest Musicians

• Adrien Zitoun – cello (“The Maiden…”, “Lost Language…”, “Fed by Ravens…”)

• Dennis Najoom – trumpet (“Antiseptic Bloodbath,” “The Maiden…,” “Lost Language…”)

• Dave Bullock – violin (“The Maiden…”, “Lost Language…”, “Fed by Ravens…”)

• Neil Kernon – orchestral textures (“Duplicitous Endeavor”)

• Hannah Kilburn, Grace Kilburn & Simi – cheerleader vocals (“Chart of the Elements”)

• Pastor Bob Beeman – spoken word (“Fed by Ravens…”)

• Rick Muehlbach, Tyler Margritz – spoken word (“Duplicitous Endeavor”)

Production

• Produced, recorded & mixed by Neil Kernon (Auslander)

• Drums recorded June 6–9, 2011 at Rax Trax Recording, Chicago, IL

• Bass recorded April 21–22, 2012 at Rax Trax Recording

• Rhythm guitars & vocals recorded Aug 30–Sept 13, 2011 at Paradisea Studio, Milwaukee, WI

• Mixed June 2012 at OTB, Chicago, IL

• Mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music, New Windsor, NY