[REVIEW] Requiem For The Dead “Always and Forever”

Requiem For The Dead

Album: Always and Forever

Label: Self-Released

Release Date : September 2nd

 

Requiem For The Dead a name that contradicts itself, formed from the ashes of the band I Am Ghost. I was very interested to hear what Steve Juliano had been up to since the departure of IAG in 2008. I found to have even more of a curiosity as to what musical direction RFTD would take with only the release of a few singles. I was pleased to hear from the man himself that RFTD wasn’t going to be like I Am Ghost in fact a new direction.

 

I dare say a new direction indeed, starting off with those intros we came to know of somber ambience and then without further adieu, busts right into what seems to be something you would hear AFI drop on you but with a mix of “Pop” like rock sound that you may find from My Chemical Romance.

 

I was surprised at the variance of musical influences as RFTD went from Pop to a synth wave Goth rock that reminded me of The Birthday Massacre and it would seem that Steven has different tone in his voice but the scream is still there and recognizable as ever.

 

RFTD definitely has a punk attitude about them and doesn’t care what you’re musical tastes are they do what they are into and it surely sets them apart. But how far does it set them from the rest of the bands? I feel that Requiem For The Dead maybe stage diving in a crowd that has either grown out of this type of music or isn’t ready for it. RFTD isn’t a band made for the masses as I listen to “Blonde to Red” that became apparent with the “la la la la la” chorus reminded me of the track “Na Na Na Na Na” from My Chemical Romance’s Danger Days, but wasn’t annoying it just felt out of place by it throwing off fluency of the song itself.

 

I’m No Angel is for the rock anthem of the album as you will not deny yourself the toe tapping goodness of it. Steven always finds some way to have a creepy sound clip in his music whether it be an intro or in this case an interlude which coexisted with really slow dark tunes, props to Steven for mental imagery of what the creepiest thing about horror films are.

 

“The Misadventure of Coffin Kid” is by far my favorite track off the record I feel that this is the track that defines RFTD’s sound. The song combines synth wave, metal, and punk and has fast paced and raw attitude that makes it stand out from the rest of the songs, I have to say I am pleased.

 

Overall I have to say Requiem For The Dead is on the “rise”, but if you are expecting I Am Ghost, I suggest you go listen to I Am Ghost’s old records as you will not find that sound here. I truly believe if you are any fan of Bauhaus, The Birthday Massacre, AFI, or My Chemical Romance or classic Goth punk-rock then you should do yourself a favor and check this album out! The band has released this record for free via their facebook.

I have a sure fire feeling that I Am Ghost fans will either embrace Steven’s new band or loathe him for it, either way RFTD are here and have plenty of room to progress.

 

-Nate

 

LINKS:

www.facebook.com/requiemforthedead

http://www.requiemforthedead.com