Reviewed! Hope for the Dying - Aletheia
Hope For the Dying
Aletheia
Facedown Records
With Aletheia, Hope
for the Dying effectively build upon the momentum built off their tremendous
debut Dissimulation, while proving that less is more for the most part. While these songs
don’t really do all that much to stand out from one another, causing Aletheia to suffer a certain lack of
distinction, they do however leave a lasting impact. A good portion of the
record is driven by an immersive duel guitar attack from James Houseman and
Jack Daniels (“Acceptance,” “Reformation,” “Iniquitous”), and listeners beware
– make sure you settle in from the get-go before the afore mentioned
“Acceptance,” the opening cut off Aletheia,
clocks in at over nine minutes. Powerful orchestral elements persist throughout
Aletheia, making for the record’s
standout tracks – the commanding, possibly Celtic-inspired “In Isolation,”
stunning instrumental interlude “Through a Nightmare, Darkly,” and the sheer
soaring, epic closer “Open Up the Sky.” As a matter of fact, the final three tracks
(“The Lost,” “Visions,” “Open Up the Sky”) is perhaps where the album shines
the brightest, building a strong crescendo from the outset of “Visions,” that continues through the piano
outro of the closing track. Aletheia
is not for the faint of heart. With a handful of tracking surpassing the ten
minute mark, this record is an investment, both of your time and your
attention. Fans of Dissimulation would do well to seek Aletheia
out, if for some reason you haven’t already, but keep in mind that it’s not
quite the same experience. Aletheia
is Hope for the Dying’s most profound work yet, but it might take some time for
you to fully realize it.
Grade: B
Go Download: “Open Up the Sky”
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