Search - Dead Hearts :: Bitter Verses

4.5 Stars - Excellent - [...]

The Iron Summit E-Zine | Arizona | 09/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hardcore is in general a genre that produces a lot of "dime a dozen" bands. The plus side to this though is that every now and then, there's a diamond in the rough that comes along and releases a fantastic album. One such band is Buffalo, NY's Dead Hearts. I really enjoyed their debut EP No Love, No Hope and it's safe to say that the band have stepped up their game here on Bitter Verses which serves as their full length debut.



Bitter Verses is a fourteen track concept album surrounding the theme of insomnia. The lyrics are ingeniously crafted to follow the concept throughout the whole album which breaks down into chapters (ie. I. Somnium, II. Dusk, III. Fall, etc.). Vocalist Derek Dole's raspy vocals could be compared to that of Wes Eisold of American Nightmare and Some Girls fame or This Is Hell's Travis Reilly. Musically, Bitter Verses invokes that same sound American Nightmare and The Hope Conspiracy were so well known for which is a modern hardcore sound that is dissonant, yet slightly melodic, and is full of sing-a-longs and fast riffing. Bitter Verses is neither full of breakdowns or tough guy lyrics which is what is perhaps makes this record so enjoyable compared to many hardcore contemporaries.



The strength of this record doesn't rest on individual tracks but rather the album pieced together as a whole. When II. Dusk was posted as a preview track, it felt like a disjointed, unfinished track but when placed amongst the rest of the track listing, it made perfect sense. Many of the other tracks have the same feel as each track flows from one track into the next which further completes the idea of the central concept (insomnia) until the album closes with XIV. Dawn which brings the album full circle (as if to suggest you have just spent a full night with an insomniac's thoughts). Another fantastic aspect of this album is that unlike many hardcore bands, Dead Hearts actually understands how and when to slow and speed up their sound which allows Bitter Verses to have a dynamic unfound on many of their peers records and makes this such a thoroughly enjoyable listen. Even the instrumental pieces fit nicely into the pacing of the album (especially the haunting piano-driven interlude Exsomnis).



Where The Warriors failed in delivering a solid concept-laden hardcore record, Dead Hearts did so and seemingly with ease. Whether this record will stand the test of time remains to be seen, but for 2006 Bitter Verses stands highly tall. If you're a fan of any of the aformentioned bands, you need to check this record out.



Highlight tracks: III. Fall, VI. Hope, XIII. Abandonment, XIV. Dawn

"