REVIEW: The Dead List : "The Dead List" (EP)

The Dead List

“The Dead List” is the upcoming 5-track EP from the 5-piece groove metal band of the same name,The Dead List. Formed in 2022 in Staffordshire (UK), The Dead List has quickly made a significant impact on the metal scene in and around Staffordshire. 

Known for their intense barrage of heavy guitar riffs, relentless melodies, and a driving rhythm section, all elevated by powerful and versatile vocals, The Dead List is quickly capturing the attention of new fans. In an overcrowded metal scene, this band stands out by infusing fresh energy into the genre with their intricate and compelling compositions. Their music delves into challenging themes like crime, inner sanity, and drug abuse, offering a depth and intensity that sets them apart from the competition and redefines what modern metal can be.

“The Dead List” EP will be out on the 16th August 2024.

Track 1, "Acid Reign," opens with thunderous guitar riffs paired with even more intense, hard-hitting drums, instantly pulling you into a headbanging frenzy. The lyrics explore the numbness that comes from losing the pleasure you once felt, addiction, and the unleashing of an inner beast. From the very start, this track lays the groundwork for the darker themes that will unfold throughout the album. The chorus introduces a more emotional vocal style, offering a striking contrast to the raw, powerful delivery in the verses, adding depth and variety to the song's intensity. 

The second track, "Never Apologise," reintroduces the EP’s signature heavy guitar riffs, this time complemented by an equally powerful bassline that adds depth to the sound. Lyrically, phrases like “can we do this again” and “after all this time” evoke a sense of nostalgia, telling a story of past experiences and struggles that linger in the mind. The song is punctuated by expertly executed drum fills that not only enhance the intensity of the guitar work but also add emphasis to the emotional weight of the vocals. As the track progresses, it builds towards a standout breakdown, where the tempo shifts into a half-time beat, creating a dramatic contrast that heightens the tension. This section seamlessly transitions into a beautifully crafted guitar solo, adding a melodic layer to the song's aggressive energy. "Never Apologise" showcases the band’s ability to blend raw power with emotional depth, making it a memorable piece in the EP’s progression.

"The Abyss" powerfully captures the raw emotions of feeling trapped in a cage of despair. The title itself evokes the image of a seemingly endless, dark chasm, mirroring the overwhelming experience of depression and addiction, where the pain they can cause feels inescapable. This track masterfully encapsulates the intense feelings of pain and numbness that often accompany mental illness, drawing a stark contrast between the fragile line separating sanity and insanity. Through its haunting and heavy soundscape, "The Abyss" resonates deeply with those who have faced the darkest corners of the mind.

“The First” bursts open with powerful drumming, immediately plunging the listener into an intense atmosphere with little to no buildup. Track 4 weaves together several narratives, including themes of wiping the slate clean from past experiences, possibly hinting at past misdeeds or crimes. The repeated line, “It’s not the first, it won’t be the last,” underscores the concept of repeating mistakes and the importance of learning from the past to alter the course of the future. This track challenges the listener to reflect on the cycles of error and the potential for change.

The final track of this EP, “Voices,” introduces a more melancholy tone to the melodic guitar work, delving into the fragile boundaries of sanity. The song explores the inner voices that can dominate our thoughts, often steering us toward dark places filled with pain, death, and suffering. This haunting track captures the internal struggle of battling these intrusive thoughts, adding a poignant and introspective conclusion to the EP. The intense scream vocals in certain parts of this song evoke a powerful emotional response.

The lyrics across the album are both intricately crafted and masterfully performed. Each song is enriched by the interplay of instruments, with every band member delivering an emotionally charged performance. While the description of heavy guitar riffs, relentless melodies, and a driving rhythm section captures some of the essence, it barely scratches the surface of the profound skill and inventive ideas embedded in the tracks. The depth of artistry and creativity throughout the album is truly driven by the exceptional talent of the performers.

The album art for the EP is also a standout feature worth highlighting. It prominently features a plague doctor, a figure traditionally associated with death and disease, which may have influenced the thematic elements of the music. This evocative imagery adds a compelling visual layer to the album, potentially reflecting the dark and intense emotions explored within the tracks.

You can find The Dead List on instagram or facebook: facebook.com/thedeadlist  // instagram.com/thedeadlist

Check out their website: thedeadlist.co.uk and be ready for their new EP “The Dead List” available from the 16th August 2024. 

Written by Kole Cook

@kolecookmusic