ALBUM REVIEW: Hard Truths – Die Like Gentlemen
Emerging from the shadows of Portland, Oregon, comes the illustriously eccentric and gloriously gothic DIE LIKE GENTLEMEN. Having remained one of the best kept secrets of Portland’s underground scene for the last decade, the band are set to put themselves on course for international acclaim with their fifth album Hard Truths. With a sound that can only be described as epic, foreboding doom inspired by a whole world of darkness in the midst of a raging tempest, DIE LIKE GENTLEMEN have carved their own path through this tumultuous storm in spectacular fashion.
The first impression you get of Hard Truths and DIE LIKE GENTLEMEN as a whole is that it sounds like BLACK SABBATH have recruited the legendary vocal talents of CANDLEMASS’ Johan Längqvist and added a double measure of JUDAS PRIEST’s soaring melodies. Initial comparisons aside, DIE LIKE GENTLEMEN certainly have a distinct sound and an innate ability for evocative, eloquent and intriguing storytelling lyrically and musically. Whilst there is nothing to explicitly state that this is a concept album, each song has a strong narrative that transports you to a different world. This captivatingly poetic approach to songwriting alongside being inspired the darker realms of thought means that Hard Truths has the feel of a Victorian era gothic novel, something along the lines of Edgar Allen Poe or Bram Stoker.
As the band craft rich and elaborate layers of fuzz and melody to compliment their vivid, dramatic lyrics, the imagery that your imagination conjures up feels cinematic in nature. Grainy sepia or black and white frames flicker in your mind as if on an old cinema reel. With that comes an inherent eeriness that leaves a chillingly indelible mark on you. DIE LIKE GENTLEMEN marvellously manipulate classic metal riffing into sounding dark, sludgy and grim and continually explore the fringes of these types of metal to create dynamic and triumphantly gothic songs, occasionally throwing in harrowing and sombre acoustic ballads in which the unique and quirky nature of Adam Alexander’s voice can be shown in spectacular fashion.
Hard Truths is an amalgamation of a plethora of styles that DIE LIKE GENTLEMEN have expertly managed to balance. In the broader sense it comes under the doom mantle, but there are a lot of subtleties and nuances that hark back to that golden age of the late 1970s and early 1980s metal that still sits deeply within the core of the majority of metal fans’ hearts. With that in mind, Hard Truths sees the band haul this distinct and classic sound into the 21st century whilst imbuing it with a grimy, foreboding sludginess. Lyrically the album feels like a reflection of the current times that we find ourselves in, steeped in poetic metaphors, engaging storytelling and an operatic theatrics. It some ways it makes more sense to approach Hard Truths with an operatic or at least theatrical performance in mind, as the album goes beyond the traditional darkness and misery and uses them to fuel a powerful and spellbinding performance.
The album opens with the rather grisly titled Guts Of A Beggar and it wastes no time in getting to the crux of the record’s theme and style. Soaring vocals and ornate riffs build a significant tension that is paid off with a triumphantly operatic chorus. Last Night On Earth leans more towards the classic rock riffing that the band are inspired by, yet evolves into big doom riffs and eerie atmospheric sections. Whipping Boy follows a similar format but brings in some epic guitar solos along the way. It is with this song that you see how cohesive the album is; each song seems to be related to the one before it but with its own unique features and nuances.
Infalling Bodies is reminiscent of old school CANDLEMASS, as steady riffing with booming vocal melodies provide a ten-minute doom magnum opus that shines on this album. In Ruins picks up the pace a little and adds a bit of chaos to the mixture; with bellowing vocals and pounding drums to accompany fast-paced riffing, it will certainly snap you out of the trance Infalling Bodies put you in. Bury Me has a similar formula but branches more into the sludgy areas of the band’s sound, as does Harbinger Of Joy. Letting In The Rain is a stirring and emotive ballad that has a whole host of eerie atmospheres, while album closer Unliving provides a final flourish of dramatic and epic doom. With catchy melodies and soaring guitar solos, it is the perfect end to an enjoyably eclectic album.
Hard Truths should have no problem in propelling DIE LIKE GENTLEMEN into the global doom consciousness. Delightfully eccentric and eclectic, this album is sure to pique the interests of whoever listens to it and inspire them to find out more about Portland’s best kept secret.
Rating: 8/10
Hard Truths is set for release on March 17th via Drink This Music.
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