When The Deadbolt Breaks' first album, In the Ruins, No Light Shall Shine, was released by Spare Change Records in 2006 (available on Spotify for all you kids). In 2007 after a new line up was forged, they released a split CD with Negative Reaction, a sludge band from New York. They released their second full length album ,The Last Day of Sun, in 2010 which like their newest album was so epic that the length of one CD just wouldn't do. [The band invites you to download The Last Day of Sun full album for free on the webpage www.fuzztownrecords.com].
When The Deadbolt Breaks latest effort, Drifting Towards The End Of The Earth, was originally due to be released in early 2012, but officially came out friday 27th of september 2013. But like with so many things, good things come to those who wait. The album starts out with fuzz driven electric guitar - sort of haunting and melancholic - a clean guitar joins in with a beautiful lick. I close my eyes, I'm right there. I'm led slowly by Nick Cave, through a dark and eerie forest with him leading me onwards; I feel them watching me from the shadows. Their piercing eyes' gaze on my neck.
Right from the start, the mood of the album is dark and evil. In a good way mind you. It sets the mood for a demonic apocalypse. You watch how one man betrays humankind and you see the world collapse. I might be influenced by having recently The Strain trilogy (Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan). The sky is turned black and the sun to ash. The fires burning everything you once knew, cleansing away your sins.
'The hills are burning inward, smoke rises from the trees -- The demons will deliver, destruction aims to please' From "Sleeps in Burning Hills"Onward you go through this epic journey of darkness and hopelessness. Blending bleak and desolate vocals with guttural screams and ball crushing guitar riffs.
The second CD which holds only one song, titled "My Coffin is Loaded with Sand and Fire“ - split into five sections - could probably do fine as a stand-alone album but as second CD it sums the whole journey up so much more sweetly. Singer Cherrilyn Lewis (wife of vocalist Aaron) joins in as guest and does a splendid job. In doing so, she brings up an image of a Lady Arwen (Lord Of The Rings).
This album came as a real surprise to me. I didn't think much when I read the name of the band to be honest. But this has definitely been one of the most interesting albums I've heard all year. These guys are really pushing the envelope. I love how this isn't a fast paced ball grinding the whole way through, that gets tired so quickly. No, this is an epic journey, with highs and lows. Soft melodies and of course some scrotum tickling to counter. I'm amazed with Aaron, the singer, how he goes from a soft whiskey rasped Nick Caveish voice to these deep growls with such an ease and makes it work so well.
This is definitely an album you should get your hands on! Duly recommended. Heck, I even pre-ordered a copy myself. I'm gonna give it a 9 out of 10!, my favourite tracks being "The Woods are Full of Killers“ and "California Comes the Rain.“ [EarOne Productions]
- Ívar Radmanesh
Tracking list
1. The Woods Are Full of Killers 12:04
2. The Scavengers Daughter 7:24
3. Sleeps in Burning Hills 10:49
4. Too Much Perfection Is a Mistake 5:09
5. California Comes the Rain 7:21
6. Hide the Bodies from God 8:19
7. GunSwallower 8:41
8. We Are the Wolves 7:22
9. My Coffin Is Loaded with Sand and Fire Part 1 11:16
10. My Coffin Is Loaded with Sand and Fire Part 2 5:18
11. My Coffin Is Loaded with Sand and Fire Part 3 9:12
12. My Coffin Is Loaded with Sand and Fire Part 4 13:32
13. My Coffin Is Loaded with Sand and Fire Part 5 10:25
For fans of: YOB, The Sword, Sleep, Pelican, Tower...
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