HEAVIER THAN HEAVEN, LONELIER THAN GOD

[Deathwish Inc. - 2008] This new chapter in Blacklisted’s story was undoubtly one of the most awaited releases this year, and I’m pretty sure everyone’s expectations were fullfilled. Although I always liked this band, since the moment they were about to break up I started seeing them in a different way. Be it that George’s lyrics give you chills down your spine, be it that they musically improved a lot, Blacklisted is now the kind of band that today’s hardcore needs and personally the only band that helps me understand and rise from the way I feel in these last months of my life in which “all I know is the downside”. Musically, the band picked up from where they left with “Peace On Earth, War On Stage”, a melange of groovy and urgent tempos, an amazing guitar work and harsh vocals that sound better than ever, the usual brought to the highest level. Anyway, what really makes this record a true masterpiece is the way the violence of their music merges perfectly with the dark emotional level brought by their deep and introspective lyrics, in which you may or may not find a source of relief to everyday’s pain. I did. The way they’re able to switch from aggressive and ferocious parts to slower and groovier ones is simply outstanding and will make you shiver. It’s hard to get deeper into this record by words, the only way to experience its power and emotional depth at its best is to lay in your room and listening to it with lyrics in your hands. Done this, go out and check Blacklisted on tour as they’re probably one of the best live bands around, “it’s a mosh to survive”.

On another Deathwish Inc. note, go and check out every single thing this label is doing at the moment as they’re the hardest working label around these days, now also featuring Malfunction and Perfect Victim’s artists. One really cool thing they’re doing right now is the “DW Live Series”, which is a series of live recordings made available to download from their website for FREE.

Check them out:

• Bitter End / DW Live Series 04: Sound And Fury 2K7
• Pulling Teeth / DW Live Series 03: Sound And Fury 2K7
• Converge / DW Live Series 02: Minneapolis, MN 09.21.05
  
• Blacklisted / DW Live Series 01: Live On WERS 2006

Now playing:

• The Get Up Kids – On A Wire (www.myspace.com/thegetupkids)
• Strength Approach – All The Plans We Made Are Going To Fail (www.myspace.com/strengthapproach)

~ by dreamcrusher on April 22, 2008.