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Darkest Hour

So Sedated, So Secure (2002)
Victory Records

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Contributed by: Aubin
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on September 6th 2002

I'm becoming convinced that metalcore is the new hardcore. The growing ranks of metal-influenced hardcore bands has become the norm rather than the exception. This may bother purists - who still have Kid Dynamite, Trial By Fire, and Strike Anywhere, in the meantime - but it doesn't bother me. Some of the best "hardcore" of the past few years has been released by bands who have an unapologetically metal streak.

Of course, this band's previous record The Mark of Judas was one of those classics. In all fairness, even older hardcore was definitely influenced by speed metal, and Darkest Hour is just continuing the trend with their hyper-fast hardcore.

When Darkest Hour signed to Victory, I figured it was the best place for them; in spite of Victory's occasional missteps, they know how to put out a heavy hardcore record.

So I was excited to hear So Sedated, So Secure, which, after their previous record, would have to be incredible. Well, half of it is, and half of it isn't.

Darkest Hour's latest, has the band adopting a more metal feel, replacing the 1-2 kick of their previous records with a steady thumping bass drum, and overall a slower - but definitely not slow - sound.

The first few tracks, are strong, but not as intense as I expected, though the band comes into form with the fifth track, "No Closer than a Stranger", which is about as fast, and heavy as anything they've ever done. Without a doubt, the strongest track on the record.

Unfortunately, the band wavers with "A Cold Kiss" which comes across a little too groove oriented. Darkest Hour isn't a band renowned for it's vocals; for the most part the vocals just blend into the music, which works fine, since they are largely atonal and match the guitars. A track that focuses too much on the vocals is usually a little disappointing.

"Treason in Trust" is like the opener, "An Epitaph" in that it eschews the classic hardcore beat for a Pantera-esque double-kick rhythm. The last two tracks feature more melodic leanings, which is good, but still lacks a lot of the power that I know Darkest Hour is capable of.

The record closes out with a long, somber pseudo-symphonic bridge, which is nice, as a contrast, but because of what I percieved as a lack of energy in the second half of the record, it doesn't contrast as sharply, and seems a little tacked on.

So Sedated, So Secure is a mixed bag. The strong tracks are very, very good. But there is an inordinate amount of filler for an 8 song record. If you want to hear Darkest Hour, start with Mark of Judas and hold out hope for their next record.

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Anonymous (March 18, 2004)

Did someone just call Arch Enemy black metal? Are you an idiot?

Masakari (September 13, 2002)

This aint bad it could be way better though tell me anyone here just wany plain punk metal core aint bad

AstroVince (September 12, 2002)

Dude, please don't compare Darkest Hour to Arch Fucking Enemy. Arch Enemy eats them alive, then shits them out.

Anonymous (September 12, 2002)

I think the punkrock kids need to learn from the hardcore kids on how to write replys to a review. This cd also reminds me of a great black metal band called Arch Enemy, they have a female singer and I believe they are one of the best metal bands in the world. The have really powerful riffs, with Yngwie style guitar solo's.

AstroVince (September 12, 2002)

It wasn't really pretentious,A lot of hardcore bands are moving in a trend toward a more metal sound.

Anonymous (September 12, 2002)

I liked these songs better when they were played by In Flames and At The Gates.

aubin (September 11, 2002)

Man, I can't keep up with these 'core's anymore. I do know that the only difference between this and european metal is the fact that the singer doesn't sound like cookie monster, and that there aren't any solos. So, yeah, it's pretty borderline metal.

That said, I admit my opening line was pretty pretentious. I hate writing reviews because coming up with a good opening sentence is so damn hard.

Oh well, I'll listen to Lifetime and be happy. At least I know what THAT is.

AstroVince (September 10, 2002)

Silly me, i should have read Aubin's last sentence...

AstroVince (September 10, 2002)

If you're new to this band, buy "Mark of the Judas" first.

Anonymous (September 9, 2002)

"the new hardcore". you have got to be joking. what about d.s.13(rip), tear it up, down in flames, caustic christ, deathreat, born dead icons, from ashes rise. that is the new hardcore my victory records ass kissing friend

Anonymous (September 9, 2002)

Alright, don't wanna comment on the album itself, don't know it but my metalbuddies tell me darkest hour is pretty good. What was preposterous though was the intro to the review: metalcore is the new hardcore??? DUH!!! Man, where have you been? Metalcore was all it in the mid nineties! What with Warzone and all that came after that, what with Earth Crisis? sorta forgot about that? and what was refused playing before they made 'the shape'? And what about Arkangel, Congress, Liar: the whole metalcore scene in belgium that was huge five years ago? Man, i hate it when people make comments about stuff they don't know shit about! I mean, i'm not even a fan of that kinda music, figure it out!

shane (September 9, 2002)

woo-hoo! darkest hour! where's my mullet?! i better start practicing my metal growls, too! "rah rah rah! rah rah rah! rah rah rah rah RAH!"

Anonymous (September 9, 2002)

At the Gates called...they want their riffs back.

Anonymous (September 8, 2002)

I think the record is pretty much straight out Swedish Death Metal, with the only hardcore influence being the vocals...At the Gates, Dismember, Entombed...Straight up!!!

Anonymous (September 6, 2002)

i've been wanting to buy a darkest hour album for awhile. thanks for the recommendations.