HOUNDS OF HASSELVANDER - CD NINTH HOUR

Popis - NINTH HOUR:
Almost unbelievably heavy and portentous from the outset, The Hounds of Hasselvander's 'The Ninth Hour' is an album crafted from the bottom up - from the inside out - for maximum impact. Unlike many ostensibly similar works of late, this is not a bunch of loose ideas cobbled together and thrown into some interchangeable sub-genre of the moment in hopes of invoking a mood. Hasselvander is the genre. "The Ninth Hour" is the mood.
Every moment of this album is like another drop of blood applied onto the canvas of your mind with great intent, care and purpose. Around each corner is a surprise - but the kind of dream-logic surprise you always knew was coming; that you always knew was there. Waiting. Ever waiting. And by the climax of the epic first number, you'll know what for
One striking development of note that I would like to mention for this latest Hound's release is the subtle use of keyboards on several tracks throughout "The Ninth Hour" (played by Paolo "Apollo" Negri from Wicked Minds). I can hear some of you thinking, 'oh, no - not that!', but I can reassure you: we're talking deep, rich '70s-style tones - and styles that remain true to the heaviness of the music without distracting the ear and weakening the strength of the melodies. To tell you the truth, it was not until subsequent spins that I really noticed the deft and subtle use of the keys; so well are they blended into the tunes and the mix.