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It’s been a minute since we have heard any rumblings in the camp of THE HAUNTED, with their previous effort, Strength In Numbers, venturing all the way back to 2017. Fear not! The iconic Gothenberg collective have made their triumphant return with tenth studio album Songs of Last Resort which is available now via Century Media Records. Will this effort make up for the considerable gap?
Warhead kicks off proceedings with gritty thrash riffs and vicious vocal blasts. There is zero rust to be found on these skillful veterans. In Fire Reborn keeps the momentum flowing with another round of swift instrumentation. Melody meets mayhem with an impressive lead run adding the emphatic stamp. Death to the Crown speeds onward offering, the ideal candidate to send the pit into a frenzy. The exceptional production level courtesy of Jens Bogren works wonders, with each riff hitting like a monster truck.
To Bleed Out is packed with an abundance of addictive grooves. Rhythm and lead layers operate in meticulous unison. Unbound sends a seismic shock through your body as frantic drum beats take the spotlight. Proficient lead work provides one of the highlights of this album so far. Hell is Wasted on the Dead follows suit with an equally energetic explosion of vigour.
Songs Of Last Resort really hits a purple patch towards the midway point, Through The Fire possesses enough blistering firepower to reduce you to ash. Collateral Carnage is THE HAUNTED at their neck-snapping best. The monstrous riff sequences deserve to be a part of every playlist. Blood Clots lures you into a false sense of calmness with a dark melodic introduction that quickly transitions into another unrelenting volley of aggression.
Salvation Recalled injects additional tempo into the already unstoppable force. Razor-sharp shredding and crushing drum work combine to forge another adrenaline-fuelled anthem. Labyrinth of Lies opts for a more ponderous pacing but is still laced with a pounding heaviness and addictive tones. Letters of Last Resort lets burly bass lines do the talking, ebbing and flowing through a particularly bleak soundscape befitting of its subject matter.
THE HAUNTED have firmly proven that form is temporary and class is permanent. Songs Of Last Resort has breathed new life into the legendary outfit as they roll back the years to sound just as fresh and modern as they did when they arrived onto the scene multiple decades ago. There is still plenty of fuel left in their tank and long may their reign of dominance continue!
Rating: 9/10
Songs Of Last Resort is out now via Century Media Records.
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The post ALBUM REVIEW: Songs Of Last Resort – The Haunted appeared first on Distorted Sound Magazine.
