The Haunted – Songs Of Last Resort

After a long period of silence, The Haunted's return is more imposing than ever. The new (editor's note: tenth!) album of their career not only manages to bring them back to the spotlight, but does so in a way that no one expected it. To be honest, after 8 years of no recording and about two years without a new one, with the main members of the band having given priority elsewhere (At The Gates, Witchery, etc.) and their 2 previous LPs not having received the best response from the public and critics (ed.: I thoroughly enjoyed them!), as a result my hopes for new music from this band had reached their nadir.

And finally, at the beginning of the year, a simple and unassuming announcement comes out, that The Haunted will release a new album at the end of May. Not too shabby, right? But what can we really expect in XNUMX from a band whose prime has long passed? Anger meets melody, chaos finds its rhythm, and the dark storytelling unfolds through explosive riffs and relentless drums. Just XNUMX words that perfectly capture what’s going down in Songs Of Last Resort. These guys are schooling us on how to write music that takes you back to the classics while still sounding fresh and modern, setting an example for new bands on where thrash should head in the future.

Anger meets melody as Marko Aro belts it out once again, and he does it so well and harmoniously that if his tones or vocal lines shift even slightly, the songs would lose their appeal instantly. Chaos finds its rhythm, and the dark narrative unfolds through explosive riffs and relentless drums, taking us back to the epic albums Made Me Do It and One Kill Wonder, keeping only the best and most addictive parts to create the ultimate ear candy for listeners. While listening, every track feels familiar yet distinct enough to make you not want them to end. I've been trying to pick out standout tracks to make some recommendations, but the level is so high that aside from a couple of moments that might be a bit of a dip for The Haunted—moments that others would gladly trade their right hand to have written—it feels unfair to single anything out. Each listener will fall in love with different tracks depending on when they got into the game.

Songs Of Last Resort isn’t just a comeback; it’s a rebirth. The music remains ferocious, the anger is more focused than ever, and the overall vibe of the album creates an unforgettable listening experience. It proves that the flame hasn’t gone out; it burns brighter than ever. From the moment the first note hits to the last breath of Aro, each track feels like a final battle, a scream echoing in the silence. This is an album that isn’t just listened to; it’s experienced!

Vangelis Farris 

09/10