Review DARKEST HOUR ‘Perpetual I Terminal’

Darkest Hour, a metal band hailing from Washington, D.C., is an experienced outfit with a founding date in 1995. The guys have released several albums, starting with the debut called ‘The Mark of the Judas’ from 2000. Over all the years, the band could look on a growing fanbase which will also enjoy the newest strike by the five-piece.

‘Perpetual I Terminal’ is the eleventh studio album by Darkest Hour and the guys continue with their mix of death and thrash metal. The harsh vocals and screams by John Henry are hereby equally important as the sometimes rather melodic guitar leads. Both are the base for the title track which opens the longplayer.

A pace-shift is what ‘Societal Bile’. The second song on the album is a raging metal song that also brings some furious metalcore elements to the forefront. The melodies step into the background while it is the brutal riff attack that is the center of this blasting monster.

Both songs are pretty well chosen to be in pole position when it comes to the album as they frame the musical approach of ‘Perpetual I Terminal’.

The middle section features with ‘One With Void’ a rather atmospheric song that of course also represents the bands passion for heavy riffing but keeps the main atmospheric theme alive from start to finish. The interlude ‘Amor Fati’ picks about the calm and melodic approach of the previous track before ‘Love is Fear’ spreads its fury.

The closer ‘Goddess of War, Give Me Something to Die For’ is another great moment of the album as the six-minute epos combines all trademarks of this album. The start is calm and peaceful with an acoustic guitar being the main protagonist. After a while the songs develops its heavier side without losing any of the dramatic vibe. In the second half of ‘Goddess of War, Give Me Something to Die For’ the metalcore aspect of Darkest Hour dominates while some melodic twists create an extra thrill and add to the flow of the song.

‘Perpetual I Termination’ is a well-done record that blasts with energy and shows a wider approach to metal. Emotional moments interact with harsh metallic outbursts which in their totality supply the needed entertaining factor that keeps your fingers away from the ‘Skip’-button.