Review by Rick Eaglestone for MPM
French doom metal pioneers Hangman’s Chair are back in full force with their latest offering Saddiction.
Having woefully taken the hearts of everyone from their set at last years Damnation Festival its entirely safe to the say this release is indeed much highly anticipated and as the sweeping tones of To Know The Night flow everything previously mentioned is all but confirmed. The brooding aesthetic that is already apparent is also a very welcome addition and as the plethora of soundscapes open up into The Worst Is Yet To Come and if that was not enough there are some wonderfully gothic tones on In Disguise.
It is hard the deny the sheer shoegaze emotion that is poured into Kowloon Lights easily making this the albums crowning glory and having Dehn Sora involved with such a cinematic video was a great Idea as the urban despair narrative is reflected through its entirety.
2 AM Thoughts was one of the first track earmarked before the album release as hearing it once again as part of the collective is a real treat especially as it has a contribution from Dool as both bands complement each other phenomenally again another band that I became of fan of from their Damnation set. This leads into the duo of Canvas and Neglect with equal lashings of lamenting sorrow.
The two final tracks 44 Yod and Healed are paired together well, in part as the albums longest tracks respectively they really give Hangman’s Chair to unite together to really hammer home their own going maturity and musical prowess and the tracks reflect just how well they use the time of each as they bring to particular journey to a natural close with wonderful tones and emotion that in impossible to tear yourself away from and even in parts towards the end there are shades of Type O Negative that are both joyous to hear and heart rendering in equal measure
Nothing Short of Ethereal
Saddist track listing:
- To Know The Night
- The Worst is Yet To Come
- In Disguise
- Kowloon Lights
- 2 AM Thoughts (feat DOOL)
- Canvas
- Neglect
- 44 YOD
- Healed?
Line-up:
Julien Chanut – Guitar
Cédric Toufouti – Guitar, Vocals
Mehdi Thepegnier – Drums
Clément Hanvic – Bass
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9/10
