Artist: Darkest Hour
Album: Deliver Us
Label: Victory
Reviewer: Derek
Link: http://www.darkesthour.cc

Darkest Hour is: Mike Schleibaum - Guitar, Kris Norris - Guitar, Paul Burnette - Bass, John Henry - Vocals, Ryan Parrish - Drums

This is my early album of the year. If you dont know DH, then you haven't heard one of the most emotional thrash bands on the face of the orb. If you are familiar, then you are lucky. Emotionally deep, technically challenging... "Deliver Us" is a modern day metal opus that you absolutely must devour....with your Mom of course. ;)

I would be remiss if I didn't focus on two songs in-particular. First off is "Demons". It is the perfect blend of assault, melody, and John Henry breaking out new vocal patterns. He unleashes an emotion chant during the chorus. Thats right, a chant! But yet it works, and comes across VERY emotional! Lyrically, he takes you to a very dark place during this song. Read it and weep!

Oh, you and me, we're the same
Asking for more than the numbing existence
Offered us all
What did they say? What did they do?
To make you crawl back in
Despite everything that you've been through
You're still right where I left you
We can lift up our hands to the sky
Find all of those strings that they're pulling and keep from falling back
Into our old rhythmic poses
Turning us into machines

And one of these days we'll no longer betray ourselves
in any way we won't all look the same way down
And one of these days we'll no longer betray ourselves
and we'll all take the same way out

And all these illusions dropped on a sea of believers
Crowding around as they hunt me down
And throw me out
While all the rest of the others
Bang their heads in the dredges

[x2]
And one of these days we'll no longer betray ourselves
in any way we won't all look the same way down
And one of these days we'll no longer betray ourselves
and we'll all take the same way out

So don't give up on me
We can be still pretend
This is all just a game
That'll work itself out in the end

The next tune is "A Paradox With Flies". I have to admit that the finger plucking melody during the intro made the hairs on my neck stand up. From there, Darkest Hour unleashes their most complete song to date. It rips, it is emotional, it is guttural, it encompasses all that makes Darkest Hour simply them! Both Schleibaum and Norris should be commended for writing such intense guitar work, and challenging themselves during their live set. Don't believe me, listen to "Deliver Us"

Fantastic! "Deliver Us" is modern thrash with a purpose and vision! Do yourself a favor and have your on-line music source of choice deliver the record to your hard drive!


Track Listing:
1. Doomsayer (The Beginning of the End)
2. Sanctuary
3. Demon(s)
4. An Ethereal Drain
5. A Paradox With Flies
6. The Light at the Edge of the World
7. Stand and Receive your Judgement
8. Tunguska
9. Fire in the Sky
10. Full Imperial Collapse
11. Deliver Us