At the quest to review every Dope studio album ever marches on, we get to our penultimate entry: Blood Money, Pt. 1. But before we get into it, I would like to welcome you back to the series with a little introduction!

Why EDSAE?

I’ve always felt that Dope got a raw deal from critics. They were either compared to their peers too much, taken too seriously, or not seriously enough. Worse, their work is rarely judged on its own merit. Even Edsel can’t escape his own ghost – people either say, ‘This isn’t as good as his old stuff,’ or they just write it off with, ‘Life/Felons was better.’ His work is routinely judged for what it isn’t, rather than what it is. Which is why I am revisiting these amazing albums to judge them for what they are: not what they could have been, or should have been.

So let’s hop right into it.

EDSAE: Blood Money Part 1

After a seven-year hiatus, Dope returned in 2016 with Blood Money Part 1. As an album , it stays true to the band’s signature sound: aggressive, gritty, and unapologetically raw. Dope delivers a mix of pounding riffs, electronic elements, and anthemic choruses that blend seamlessly with their nihilistic lyrical themes.

The album’s production is crisp, balancing heavy guitars with electronic layers that add depth without becoming overpowering. The polished sound may be a bit too clean for fans of the band’s more raw, early work, but it’s undeniably powerful. While some songs are undoubtedly more radio friendly than previous outings, don’t make the mistake of thinking that Edsel has mellowed with age. (If anything, vocally and otherwise, he seems to be aging in reverse)

Reviewers of the time dinged this album for not reinventing the wheel. While not a direct successor to earlier outings, Blood Money Part 1 stays true to the Dope sound and aesthetic. Tracks like 1999 and Razorblade Butterfly tap into nostalgia, throwing back to the band’s early days with fast-paced riffs and gritty musicianship. Meanwhile, songs like Drug Music and Selfish embrace the hedonistic and rebellious energy that has always been central to Dope’s identity. While it’s true that this album didn’t reinvent the wheel… it didn’t need to. Not everything is about reinvention. Sometimes, an album just needs to deliver what a band does best, and Blood Money Part 1 does exactly that: giving fans the raw energy, heaviness, and hooks that made Dope stand out in the first place.

Final Verdict

Blood Money Part 1 is a strong entry for Dope, proving they still have plenty of fire. The album refines and modernizes their industrial-metal formula while delivering some of their best songwriting to date. Fans of Felons and Revolutionaries and Life will find plenty to love, while newer listeners might discover an underrated band that still knows how to bring the chaos.

Welcome back to my quest to review every Dope studio album! And it’s a good one, folks: No Regrets, which lands at number two on my countdown of the best Dope albums ever.

Before we jump in, a quick disclaimer: I’m not a journalist or a music industry professional. I’m just a passionate fan who wants to share my love for Dope’s music with a wider audience. Now, let’s get into it!

The Background

Released on March 10, 2009, No Regrets holds the title of Dope’s second-highest charting album, with Blood Money Part 1 taking the top spot. What makes No Regrets particularly notable is its shift toward a more straightforward hard rock sound.

Where American Apathy leaned heavily into grungy, dystopian vibes, No Regrets flips the script. This album is a loud, unapologetic middle finger to the idea that Dope would stick to any formula. With this album, Dope embraced a more polished, hard-hitting sound while retaining their rebellious core. The result? A record that’s both accessible and uncompromising—packed with adrenaline-fueled tracks that showcase the band’s evolution.

Cristina’s POV

By this time, Dope had already cemented their reputation for combining ferocious riffs, gritty lyrics, and an unflinching look at the darker side of life. With No Regrets, the band leans into their strengths while incorporating fresh elements, resulting in a record that is aggressive, unapologetic, and brimming with raw energy.

Edsel Dope’s snarling vocals still bring the boys to the yard, delivering with his trademark no-holds-barred approach. Lyrically, No Regrets explores themes of rebellion, self-determination, and emotional struggle. Tracks like We Are and My Funeral strike a balance between introspection and anthemic defiance, showcasing Edsel’s knack for conveying raw emotion without losing the band’s signature edge.

While the album delivers high-energy, hard-hitting moments, it also reveals a degree of maturity. The production is cleaner than on previous releases, but it retains the raw, visceral quality that defines Dope’s sound. Atmospheric elements and layered vocals add depth, creating a more dynamic and immersive listening experience.

A standout moment is Dope’s cover of Billy Idol’s Rebel Yell. Covers can be risky, but this rendition is both faithful to the original and infused with the band’s unique industrial flair. The raw energy elevates the track, making it feel right at home among the album’s lineup. Similarly, songs like Violence and 6-6-Sick highlight Dope’s ability to meld aggression with infectious hooks, giving fans plenty to headbang to (Violence even inspired the name for our host, undevoted.org).

In conclusion, No Regrets is a testament to Dope’s ability to stay true to their roots while continuing to evolve. It’s an album that fans of industrial metal and nu-metal alike can appreciate, filled with relentless energy, memorable hooks, and a rebellious spirit. With simplicity comes genius: sometimes, you just want a great rock album. No Regrets delivers exactly that and more, blending raw energy, sharp production, and anthems that stick with you long after the last track fades.

Check out the entire collection of reviews in the EDSAE series right here.