November is Doom- Bloody Hammers : "the Acoustic Halloween Special"

We have long championed this band, but what about their acoustic album that was released for Halloween, since it does not really meet the expectations I would normally have for them? Well, I gotta give it a solid listen before we pass judgment, so here we go. The first track has enough swagger and just feels more like country music. They are still great songwriters who can be heard on the omnious "O Death"; he still retains his grit, even without distortion. There is more of a goth feel than "Murder Ballads' era Nick Cave. Yes, this does fall closer to dark folk than what New Model Army does, but it is not far removed.

There is more of an 80s rock-ballad feel to 'Who Dares Down Wretched Road'. That element has always been in their DNA, so I am not surprised. His voice sounds good, but the song is not as hooky as what I am used to from them. "Hounds of Hades" has a more roadhouse-country feel to its blues-drenched invocations. It works for what it is. The song after this is marginally more of a ballad and is melodic, but not as catchy as "Hang the Lantern", which has a more Tom Waits-like swagger to its step. This gives the vocal more purpose. 

 His voice dips lower for "How Far." It's more of a brooding ballad, and while I prefer their more driving metal output, this works for what it is. It makes sense they would need to take a breather for the sake of their creative juices and make this album to explore this side of the melodic spectrum. I will give this a 9 and see how it grows on me.

pst581