Hope for the Dying

“Transcend” the new song by Hope For The Dying song gives me hope, both for there new record and the christian scene in general. Here you have a new(ish) band writing something that’s not deathcore, metalcore, scenecore, or any other flavor of the month. I would describe the song as a mix of Soilwork and Between the Buried and Me, at least those are the two bands that come to mind. It tickles my progressive metal fancy, and I’m in love with it. So GO LISTEN TO IT! - bloggingblacklines

I Know: It Ain’t Black Metal!
Posted in Aural Torture with tags Christian Metal, Christian music, Heavy Metal on January 16, 2009 by Mee Yai

It has been a hell of a long time since I actually did anything on this blog and I figure it is about time I got something out there. The bottom line is that laziness is my bane and constant companion. In that vain, after waiting an age and an aeon for their Myspace page to load up, I thought, “What the heck! No matter what they turn out to be, I am gonna review these guys! Even if its a opera!”

You can imagine my shock, dismay and visions of the nightmare of reviewing Il Divo flashing through the few synapses I have firing at this time of the week when I saw the first online track: “Have a Very Metal Christmas”. Just maintaining consciousness, I managed to get through the piano introductions and into some pretty solid riffs mixed in with some vaguely familiar Christmas hymns. This promised something more and the red mist lifted. Hope For The Dying, (HFTD), turn out to be a fairly solid progressive metal outfit who actually do an ok job at heavy metal, despite initial misgivings about the first track.

Musically, HFTD keep things pretty simple and hectic in the speed department. With some excellent down-shifts into slower, riff-like rhythms, the music keeps the energy up-beat for the most part. The percussions are fairly solid also, with periodic thunder smashed out on the bass drum, while the rest of the tracks are punctuated with high speed staccato. The guitars are pretty much what one would expect from a progressive band. The chords don’t venture that low on the neck, but they keep a consistent mix of chords and rhythm going. The variety is impressive.

Get the CD from Facedown Records Now, let’s keep this clear: HFTD are NOT death or black metal. In that sense, you might wonder what they are doing with a review here, but I figured screw it and decided on doing something different. The vocals, therefore, are not grind, but they are close to a more hardcore, restricted airflow style screaming, to my ears. For those who like pure vocals in progressive, this may not appeal. However, for fans of hardcore, or even some metalcore, HFTD may just appeal to those tastes vocally, and introduce you to a new genre of music. While I compare the sound to a hardcore vocal set, this is not to say that it sucks from a metallers viewpoint. The sound works well, and the vocals complement the melodies well. Overall, I have to say that the band makes a savage entry into the metal world. The sound should mature and develop as they go, but HFTD have certainly got a good start on.

HFTD have just recently debuted with Strike First Records, and the CD sounds like it should be a good offering. With tracks that include “A Beautiful Day For Vengeance”, it is fairly clear that HFTD don’t really pull any punches. But then, with “Have A Very Metal Christmas”, it is also clear they have a sense of humour and fun. You can also check them out on their official website, (click here), and get some more information on what these guys have to say and what they are all about.

It has to be said that with HFTD, 2009 has got off to a good start for the Christian metal scene and Unblack Noise.

Hail Christ!
Mee Yai
- Unblack Noise

After retiring the label in 2006, Facedown Records has made the decision to revive their Strike First imprint as a means to promote new and upcoming metal and hardcore acts. The first band to get a shot at success on the label is the Illinois-based progressive metal outfit Hope For The Dying, and interested listeners now have a chance to explore their brand new self-titled seven-track debut EP.

The EP starts with the seven-minute track "City Of Corpses." This standout effort essentially represents the entire album as a whole in one track, displaying elements that will be repeated on the next six songs. Listeners will be unsurprised to hear the chugging riffs and pounding double bass expected in modern metal. More interesting are the fast riffs that are sprinkled throughout the album that do, indeed, evoke images of classic metal acts. Also on display throughout the album are the occasional piano interludes, classical guitar, and even some opening synth on "Our Fallen Comrades."

Josh Ditto's screaming lead vocals fall firmly in the middle of modern metal territory. They are sufficiently passionate and vary in intensity depending on the moment. Additionally, in tracks such as "City Of Corpses" and "Into Darkness We Ride," Ditto contrasts his screams with choruses of clean vocals that are possibly the album's biggest highlight. The previously mentioned influences of classic metal bands are seen most clearly in these soaring choruses which help to give Hope For The Dying a truly unique sound.

The lyrics on Hope For The Dying address topics from depravity in "City Of Corpses" to the ungodly desire for revenge in "A Beautiful Day For Vengeance." In the latter track, Ditto echoes the Apostle Paul's words in Romans 12 as he screams "My brothers, I beg of you, do not seek your own vengeance. My brothers, do not be overcome with evil, but triumph..." In "Where We Are Going We Don't Need Roads," the band chants "When we see the truth we will be set free." These lyrics show an admirable depth that any Christian can appreciate.

There is a lot of pressure on upcoming metal bands to provide a unique sound to separate them from the pack. Hope For The Dying certainly does not redefine any definitions, but they have a passion, depth, and creativity that is worth keeping an eye on. In conclusion, with this EP, the band has given any metal fan a compelling reason to check them out both now and in the future.

- Review date: 11/24/08, written by Timothy Estabrooks of Jesusfreakhideout.com - Timoth Estabrooks