Artist:  9 X Dead
   Title: Cursed
   Label: Independent Release
 

9x Dead, hail from Caerphilly, South Wales, they describe themselves as a  “Dark Rock “ band and dark they certainly are, their new album 'Cursed' encapsulating everything they say they are, with a mixture of Dark Rock, Punk,  Metal and Goth,  there is something gripping, haunting and totally intense in all of the tracks. This is melancholy, and moody music ripping at your senses

9xDead explore the depths of depravity inherent in the human soul.

With a slow build up, scene set by staccato drumbeats, you are marched into the insanity that is 'Diablo', new vocalist Glenn is outstanding and pulls you into the dark recesses of your mind and mesmerizes you, this had me hooked straight away.

'The Patriarch' is a song about taking your life back, after a bitter split up,  you can feel the pain, hate and deceit in this song, driven by relentless instrumental work.  This is awesome stuff!!!!.

 'Unspoken' slows the pace but brutality and intensity emanate, cloaking you like a shroud, this number is probably my favourite track on 'Cursed'.  You can feel the passion and hurt of things left unsaid.   

'I'm Ruin' is in your face intense and relentless, carrying the band’s dark message coming at you and grabbing you by the throat, urging you to relive your darkest memories, this will soon become a crowd favourite.

'Parental Guidance' is a faster paced number, emphasising the vocal abilities of Glen, and carried along by intense and complex guitar work, it verges on Punk, but steadfastly maintains the moody themes of the album.

'Hollow on the Inside' is a very heavy, very melancholy song, which grips your stomach and communicates a deep sense of foreboding, it is intriguing, and mysterious, this is a great track.

'Cursed' is the title track, fast and powerful with the intense ...  “I’m cursed know you oughta  know “ ... this track is exciting, one of the best tracks on the album, it is threatening and transmits an overwhelming sense of doom

'Betrayed' is a spine-chilling  track and makes your hairs stand up on end, which leads into 'Lullaby', a chilling number which starts off with noises from the playground, with a creepy music box and then pummels you with a heavy bass with Gary pounding the drums, the chorus  will stick in your brain and may disturb you !!.

Penultimate track 'Monster' is a behemoth of a number and I would love to see the guys play this live, this is harmonious, truly dark, vigorous and a “monster song”.  'Serenity' finishes the album off running at seven and a half minutes, you get everything that is 9 X Dead, dark, deadly, and intense.  You get a outstanding blood curdling guitar solo that hits you straight between the eyes and will be lodged in your head for days..

9 X Dead music is dark, yet melodious, and conveys lots of emotions they have stepped up a gear with this Dark Rock opus and have played Hard Rock Hell in the past, and I have no doubt that on the back of this killer album, they will be invited back very soon, as well to numerous  festivals, and will soon be touring  the country.  So keep a look out for this Dark Rock Band, you will not be disappointed ...  just maybe a bit terrified and in awe at the mastery that is 9 X Dead!!!!

Review by: Seb Di Gatto

 Tracklisting:

1. Diablo
2. The Patriarch
3. Unspoken
4. I'm Ruin
5. Parental Guidance
6. Hollow On The Inside
7. Cursed
8. Betrayed
9. Lullaby
10. Monster
11. Serenity 

                  

 

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