The Haunted are back after an eight year absence. The world was quite a different place the last time the Swedes graced us with their sounds. I would like to think that they have spent the last few years honing their craft, which would make sense as they have definitely made the wait worth it.
If the singles so far have given any indication of anything, it’s that Songs of Last Resort is uncompromising. “Warhead” is a statement of intent, and it is unrelenting. This is The Haunted that is familiar, and is bursting every which way with energy. “In Fires Reborn” is a reminder that they are still very much a key part of that Gothenburg sound, as they slowly but surely begin to bring out the melodic elements. It’s a sound we know and are familiar with, but The Haunted manage to infuse their unique DNA to it, and make it their own, as they have done many times before.
“Death To The Crown” continues the fast paced and aggressive sound, but begins to show some restraint from the juggernauts, but there are moments in this short song which should compel your body to move on cue. There are some tasteful solos in this one, and by the end of it, one is left wondering how they managed to pack all of that in, all in under 3 minutes.
As much as it is fairly obvious that The Haunted are proficient and capable at sustaining a breakneck tempo, they have a song like “To Bleed Out”, which is one of my favourites from the album. They take their pedal off the gas for this one and we have a mostly easy going rock tune with Marco leading it in Soilwork fashion. This track shines in the anthemic quality it displays. I immediately envisioned how powerful such a song could be in a live setting.
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A consistent feature of this album is how the music is continuously evolving, and there are songs where this is much more apparent than others. “Unbound” is one such example, as it begins as a sinister track, contrasted more obviously as it follows a song with very different energy. However, The Haunted are displaying their ability to keep things interesting throughout this sonic journey. “Hell Is Wasted On the Dead” shares much of all what has come before it, but while it feels familiar in that sense, Marco’s vocals and the incredible guitar work here make for straight up circle pit fuel. Another track that would fit that description is the chug fest that is “Through the Fire”. It’s another favourite here mainly because of the recurring riff that I can’t seem to stop humming since I first heard it, and also because of Marco’s infectious lyrics. “IN A FIRE! IN A BLITZ!”
“Collateral Carnage” and “Salvation Recalled” are great tracks that serve to emphasize the frenetic energy that has been a consistent theme in this album, and in between the two we have a 90 second reprieve from Marco’s assault in the form of “Blood Clots”. Well… Kind of. “Labyrinth of Lies” could be considered one of the album’s “safest” tracks, as it leans heavily into a hard rock oriented sound that is actually really groovy. It contrasts heavily with what we are greeted by at the beginning of it all, and it works especially well as we get to the closing track, “Letters of Last Resort”. The unnerving bass line and the rest of the song has a truly dark feel to it, and it is the most perfect ending to what is essentially the end of everything.
The Haunted feel incredibly fresh and undoubtedly re-energized here. It is the return to form that many have waited patiently for, and it does not disappoint. The production quality throughout the album is certainly worth noting, as I thought it to be an improvement since their last outing. As this is the third consecutive album with this lineup, it’s apparent that they have only strengthened their creative synergy. It draws it’s inspiration from The Haunted’s earlier work, albeit with a much more deliberate and nuanced intent. Marco Aro has never sounded this ferociously brilliant, and credit is due to Björn Strid for recording his vocals because he did a phenomenal job. Adrian Erlandsson is a master behind the kit and he does an excellent job throughout. Patrik and Jonas serve as the solid, continuous links to the past that they have brought into the modern era. Lastly, special mention goes to Ola Englund. It certainly sounds and feels like he has significantly stepped up his game for this one, despite being a top tier guitarist all along.
If you’re a runner like me, this is the perfect album.
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Header image: Linda Florin
Songs of Last Resort comes out 30 May
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