THE HAUNTED
Hands down, I must admit, I was alien to The Haunted until I put my hands on this album. I knew the band by name and listened to a few songs years ago but I never got caught by them. Handling this fact, the first reaction one has is – let’s do some research. First few hits were about massive line-up changes. After this, I’ve decided to remain ignorant and evaluate the album without comparing it to old material. It’s only fair to give it a chance without an already “clouded by drama” mind.
I didn’t know what to expect but, my first reaction to the first couple of songs was: “I might have been missing a lot, and the guy behind the drums is amazing!” Amazingly composed guitar lines dance all over the album; you have the melody and you have the heaviness of the riffs. Nothing is over the top; everything is there in the perfect amount and harmony. The guitar solos are extremely well composed and executed (you can notice the classical influences on them) and perfectly timed. You almost beg for more. And did I mention the drummer? That man knows where to put what and make it sound amazing. Predictable yet unpredictable!
The vocals are the only downside (if so) on this album, being the only thing I would change a little bit. The singer has amazing capabilities; I just wished he would give it some more dynamic along the songs. However, you can notice a lot of differences in each song. Putting that dynamic he already has in the same song, same sentence… that would be something absolutely astonishing to hear. I can openly say: the new The Haunted opened my horizons and that ‘Exit Wounds’ is an amazing album if you’re feeling that every new album you listen to is either too extreme or too soft. You’ll find the so desired balance on it.
I didn’t know what to expect but, my first reaction to the first couple of songs was: “I might have been missing a lot, and the guy behind the drums is amazing!” Amazingly composed guitar lines dance all over the album; you have the melody and you have the heaviness of the riffs. Nothing is over the top; everything is there in the perfect amount and harmony. The guitar solos are extremely well composed and executed (you can notice the classical influences on them) and perfectly timed. You almost beg for more. And did I mention the drummer? That man knows where to put what and make it sound amazing. Predictable yet unpredictable!
The vocals are the only downside (if so) on this album, being the only thing I would change a little bit. The singer has amazing capabilities; I just wished he would give it some more dynamic along the songs. However, you can notice a lot of differences in each song. Putting that dynamic he already has in the same song, same sentence… that would be something absolutely astonishing to hear. I can openly say: the new The Haunted opened my horizons and that ‘Exit Wounds’ is an amazing album if you’re feeling that every new album you listen to is either too extreme or too soft. You’ll find the so desired balance on it.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Century Media
Album
EXIT WOUNDS
Review by Salomé Sequeira
RUNNING TIME:
44:15
RELEASE DATE:
25th August 2014
TRACK LISTING
1) 317; 2) Cutting Teeth
3) My Salvation; 4) Psychonaut
5) Eye of the Storm; 6) Trend Killer
7) Time (Will Not Heal)
8) All I Have
9) Temptation
10) My Enemy
11) Kill the Light
12) This War
13) Infiltrator
14) Ghost in the Machine
3) My Salvation; 4) Psychonaut
5) Eye of the Storm; 6) Trend Killer
7) Time (Will Not Heal)
8) All I Have
9) Temptation
10) My Enemy
11) Kill the Light
12) This War
13) Infiltrator
14) Ghost in the Machine
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
Sweden
"Amazingly composed guitar lines dance all over the album..."
