HELLBOUND HEARTS
“FILM NOIR”
Album Review By Rachel Tooley
7/10
Hellbound Hearts are an alternative rock band from West Yorkshire, the trio are well known on their local music scene, but have ambitions to make it much higher. Their success has lead to the band finding themselves performing at larger events around the country, including the Hard Rock Hell and Wildfire festival. As a follow on from previous releases such as ‘The Proximity Effect’, ‘Outside’ and their single ‘Nancy’s House’, they’re now blessing the ears of their fans with their debut album ‘Film Noir’. The album has been described as a commanding collection of songs that range from feel good melodies to dark, sinister hooks, whilst all the time packing in stand out sing along choruses and heavy grooves – I couldn’t say it better myself.
The first song on the album ‘Suffering The Radio’ really sets the atmosphere for the whole tracklist. It’s very dark and mysterious which forces you into a state of tension; the sudden shift in atmosphere near the beginning of the song gives you an animalistic release of energy. You can really predict the strength and the power that this album has got built into it. The second track ‘Broken Hearted’ is a little more toned down, yet still has a great buzz paired with an unusually dark atmosphere. The support from the guitar really fulfils this track in my opinion, you can really get hooked to the tempo of the track, making you appreciate it much more. ‘Poor Disguises’ has a very chilled out beginning, there is an impressive connection between the drummer and guitarist that makes this track stand out. The vocals add a much more upbeat, youthful note that lifts you into a more positive state of mind, pulling you away from the dark emotions that fog your subconscious earlier in the album. The next track ‘The Light We Cannot See’ has a lot more attitude and carries a noticeably heavier vibe. The power behind this track forces you to move with the beat. Although the track is quite strong natured, it is still an easy listen which keeps you hooked with the instrumental build up of tension around halfway into the track. This would be a great one to hear live. Track 5 really hits you with an unexpected explosion of vivid guitar riffs and soul shredding beats. The band have created an unpredictable mood with their music without making it sound overcrowded and confusing – they cleverly contrast the atmosphere within the track by using a fast, heavy instrumental period followed by a more subtle period which focuses on the vocal skills produced by lead vocalist Danny Lambert. ‘Blood’ is a much more persistent tune, which I think would be a great anthem to mosh to. I really like ‘Wake Up’ – this track has been played down compared to a lot of others on the album. However, it really revitalizes your mind with a lively sensation which wakes up your body and gets you moving. The sinister nature of ‘We Are All Alone’ is a much more dramatic number on the album. From my perspective, the lyrics of the song portray a very confused state of mind, which reflects a lot of heartache and distrust; the catastrophic love radiated from these vocals drop your soul into a pit of desolation. Track nine has a great build up which then dives into an impressive piece of work from the guitar. This song is compositionally clever, the changes in tempo create a varied atmosphere that plays on your mind and really shakes up your thoughts. The final track ‘Silent Horror Movie’ is a very fast ending to a great album. This track is mentally draining in the best way possible. The out of control nature which you absorb from the finale track leaves you feeling ecstatically disorientated.
The album as a whole really does take you on a rollercoaster journey through all the feelings that you probably forgot you had, which is truly what makes it so good. A little mental preparation certainly wouldn’t go amiss before you press play for this release.
TRACKLIST
Suffering The Radio
Broken Hearted
Poor Disguises
The Light We Cannot See
Still We Wait
Blood
Wake Up
We Are All Alone
Fortunes
Silent Horror Movie
https://www.hellboundhearts.com
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