Bloodlust (Through the Eyes of the Dead album)

Bloodlust is the debut studio album by American death metal band Through the Eyes of the Dead, released on October 25, 2005 through Prosthetic Records. After releasing an EP and a split, Through the Eyes of the Dead released Bloodlust. The album is considered a blend of deathcore, brutal death metal, and melodic death metal, the lattermost genre spawning comparisons with bands like At the Gates and The Black Dahlia Murder. Before the deathcore label existed, Bloodlust was labeled as metalcore due to its combination of melodic death metal with occasional hardcore breakdowns, which resembled metalcore. Bloodlust's lyrics were inspired by serial killers, and depicted poetic lyrics telling stories and imagery. Through the Eyes of the Dead cited Cannibal Corpse, Carcass, Death, In Flames, At the Gates and Dark Tranquility as influences.

Bloodlust was critically acclaimed by critics, with its guitar riffs, vocals and lack of emphasis on breakdowns and hardcore influences being specifically praised. Through the Eyes of the Dead promoted the album by posting an MP3 of the song "Two Inches from a Main Artery" on August 9, 2005 and releasing a music video for the song in June 2006. The band toured during September and early October with Ion Dissonance, The Red Death and Summer's End. Through the Eyes of the Dead then toured with bands like In Flames and Trivium during the Sounds of the Underground tour in summer 2006. In early 2007, the original vocalist Anthony Gunnells was removed from the band because he did not show up to practice or write new lyrics for the next album.