Altar De Fey's 2020 album "And May Love Conquer All" was ranked in the top 10 goth albums of the year here, and now five years later, they have returned with an album that might be the year's best goth album. A great deal of credit goes to the passionate lamentations of Jake Hout are the trembling heart of "Gone Too Soon". The guitar weaves the sonic cobwebs for Hout's stellar croon to crawl upon. "Over You" balances the hypnotic elegance that gives death rock its creepy grace with a more post-punk tension. It is a mood that took a couple of listens before it sank in. "Let's Switch Faces" works off the punchy syncopation of its groove..It shows their keen sense of songwriting that gives them their own identity rather than just being a band that follows in Christian Death's footsteps. In I can equal influence coming from the early forebearers of what we now call goth on a song like "Dissonance' where there are equal shades of Killing Joke and early Cure haunting their musical DNA.
What makes them death rock is not the Rozz Williams-tinged tremble in Jake's voice, but the punk undercurrent that conjures images of needles strewn back alleys. This punk edge gives 'Obituary" a more aggressive punch. Lyrically, it comes closer to death worship or certainly a celebration of morbidly reflecting on our fragile mortality. The punk roots of death rock become more noted as the album progresses. "Judith With the Head of Holofernes" is taking on a more manic energy, while still being draped in the Halloweenish ambiance. In fact, there is no more fitting time of year for this album to be released."Tower of Deciet" is the stomping energy they attack their instruments with, bestowing a renewed urgency to the album.
They saved the darkest song for last as "Until The Grave". It moves with more of a mournful march. It's a convincing mood they have created on just this song, but the entire album. Poseurs who just want to play dress up and dance at the club might not catch onto what is going on here, as there are actual instruments, plugged into drawing from a canvas that celebrates actual darkness and not just the pagentry of. Their knack for compelling songwriting continues to not only endure but aging like wine with each release, perfecting what they do a little more, so I will give this album a 10. If you are a fan of death rock, this album is a must. Released on Transylvanian Recordings.
5
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