Dead Hearts - Bitter Verses
Ferret Music - F071 - 4th September 2006
The Black Sails
Hearing Dead Hearts for the first time it is hard to believe that this could be their debut effort, such is the maturity of their composition; it sounds like they should have been one of the many early hardcore bands, albeit with much better production, and would have given all their contemporaries a run for their money. However, formed in the hazy, heady days way back in 2004 it is almost apt that there is an undercurrent of insomnia and sleepless nights around and through this album, running its way from 'Dusk' to 'Dawn' (the second and last tracks respectively), as these 5 gents have put every second of their time and ounce of their energy into this band.
Dead Hearts may have found more influence in, say, 7 Seconds than in the new age stalwarts Nora, but this is a modern hardcore sound, and would equally well fit on a tour with Bane or Terror. Although there is a punk heart, scoops of metal and a ladle of rock combine with it in such a magnificent way that its open to fans of all of the aforesaid genres and more. Not only that, but the lyrics are understandable, and will having you screaming all round town as it blares through your ipod. In fact I cannot unroot "These are the restless times. These are the sleepless nights", from 'Dusk', from my mental playlist for love nor money, and as you can tell by the amount of mentions its a pretty standout track.
If these guys are as good live as the record promises I think I have a new favourite hardcore band. Now I'm going to have to cut this a little short and return to some windmilling in front of the mirror in preparation for their tours (for anyone who knows me this is obviously a lie, I'm way too lazy to bother).
8/10
UM's Review Rating Scale
Official Dead Hearts website
Official Ferret Music website
Ferret Music - F071 - 4th September 2006
The Black Sails
Hearing Dead Hearts for the first time it is hard to believe that this could be their debut effort, such is the maturity of their composition; it sounds like they should have been one of the many early hardcore bands, albeit with much better production, and would have given all their contemporaries a run for their money. However, formed in the hazy, heady days way back in 2004 it is almost apt that there is an undercurrent of insomnia and sleepless nights around and through this album, running its way from 'Dusk' to 'Dawn' (the second and last tracks respectively), as these 5 gents have put every second of their time and ounce of their energy into this band.
Dead Hearts may have found more influence in, say, 7 Seconds than in the new age stalwarts Nora, but this is a modern hardcore sound, and would equally well fit on a tour with Bane or Terror. Although there is a punk heart, scoops of metal and a ladle of rock combine with it in such a magnificent way that its open to fans of all of the aforesaid genres and more. Not only that, but the lyrics are understandable, and will having you screaming all round town as it blares through your ipod. In fact I cannot unroot "These are the restless times. These are the sleepless nights", from 'Dusk', from my mental playlist for love nor money, and as you can tell by the amount of mentions its a pretty standout track.
If these guys are as good live as the record promises I think I have a new favourite hardcore band. Now I'm going to have to cut this a little short and return to some windmilling in front of the mirror in preparation for their tours (for anyone who knows me this is obviously a lie, I'm way too lazy to bother).
8/10
UM's Review Rating Scale
Official Dead Hearts website
Official Ferret Music website
