Darkest Hour

So Sedated, So Secure (Victory)
by Scott Hefflon

Hardcore kids discover melodic death metal a half-decade late. What’s the big deal? Darkest Hour are good, no question, they’re just late to class. And it’s a 101 course, if ya know what I’m saying. Gimme At the Gates, Carcass, Entombed, The Haunted, In Flames, Dark Tranquillity or dozens upon dozens of other bands over this. Metal guys simply play better than hardcore guys, it’s that simple. They’ve had years of practice, quietly headbanging in their rooms when playing metal was a liability. Now that these come-latelies wanna jump the wagon, and anyone with an ear (or two) ought to be able to tell the difference between this simplified version and the real version, the ones who covered this ground years ago have moved on, exploring new terrain and discovering new niches and cool crannies… Not to single Darkest Hour out, cuz they’re actually significantly better than handfuls of others, but that’s just hanging out with people dumber or uglier than you are just to look good in comparison.
(346 North Justine St. #504 Chicago, IL 60607)