Self-released
Influenced by Deafheaven, The Long Dark Road’s four-song
self-titled EP is the result of a series of events in Toronto musician Jeremy
Cavan’s life, including debt, homelessness, and a divorce. The mix of black
metal, punk and hardcore on this album gives into a touch of prog-type songs,
at least in length with the title track alone surpassing the ten minute mark,
and the shortest track is just shy of seven minutes long.
The lyrics are more geared toward political and societal
topics than most metal bands and luckily even with the gruff and occasionally
less than clean singing, you can still hear the words and see the anger and
disgust that is being spit out. The songs are as heavy as the weight of the
world's problems on their shoulders, but melodic and interesting, with the
length of them not being a factor that impedes your enjoyment, in fact, the
length seems perfect for each song, like a complete argument that needs to be
heard. The mix is a bit dirty and gritty, but it suits the music and tone
perfectly; who wants it all prettied up since it would take the intensity and
immediacy of it away. The songs each have their own feel and have shredding
guitar playing that really stands out, as well as the extended bits that show
the more textured playing and at times softer sounds that the band can create
and meld into a song that is both devastating and thrilling.
If you are looking for some straight-ahead metal, this may
come as a shock, but the album has both beauty and anger that forge an alliance
and make you want to come back to it time and time again. With only four songs,
they have created an album that will become a constant player in your
collection, and make you want to see what comes next.
-Rick Ecker
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