Lost Inside - Hearts Will Grow Heavy

Band: Lost Inside

Album: Hearts Will Grow Heavy

Genre: DSBM (or, maybe, post-DSBM)

Country: U.S.A.

Year: 2011

Link

This certainly is a unique album, especially when it claims to be "depressive". It has a lighter quality to it as a whole, less stuck as it was in their Demo album of years before. I also sense an improved music quality than this previous album, naturally coming into what might be called Lost Inside's "sound", which is much lighter and reflective than typical DSBM. I wouldn't quite say that it has shoegaze elements, but it comes off as unique and confined to a distant brooding and reflecting. Lyrical themes are also atypical as well, and provide a good and intellectual break from the norm; not quite abandoning nihilism, but more thoughtful about it and waiting on the edge. 

One thing that strikes me as odd is the juxtaposition of seemingly positive and negative themes, and is almost comical. 

In the first track arises a haunting, distant, but distinctly human voice, then lapses eventually into a repeating instrumental which nevertheless progresses enough to not grow boring. Subdued screaming vocals come in near the end, which sound "soft" enough to go along well with the melancholy music. Fade out strumming.

Second song gets sudden injection of screaming vocals. Title: "No Longer Can I See The Sun". A little reminiscent of their previous works, a good 6/10 song (with 5 being absolutely neutral). I really like the riff near the end of the song.

As I listen to this, I'm looking through the album insert and its pictures. For the second track we have what appears to be an empty wooden chair. On the next flap we get a promo picture of Surtur, member of the band, looking to the side. He looks a little like Neige and has nothing of an arrogant expression. Beside, the third track title: "A Drifting Memory (instrumental)".

Third track: Begins with eerie spatial ambiance creeping up through the volume levels, always probing in mindless directions. Leaves one to contemplate on anything, or a "drifting memory". Reminds me somewhat of the ambient tracks from All The Cold or ColdWorld, much calmer than any of them though.

"Now You Can Breathe", the fourth track, begins with what sounds almost like a Happy Days melody. It's melancholy and nostalgic. The first vocal however is weak and distant, like a person mumbling normally to himself. On this insert-page we get a picture of Kold, member of the band. A part of this song's lyrics are in Dutch, a tribute no less. The latter instrumental part continues the song very well. 

Fifth track, "Blinded By Starlight", starts out with a riff that sounds as if to say, "AH, but.... that's not quite it, listen here..." The vocals continue like a usual DSBM song, but when the drums pick up we realize that the song takes on a new dimension, a new dynamism. It's fast paced yet still well within the genre. Those who don't like the scream-singing of this kind of music won't even mind in this track, since it goes so well with the general song, its progression, the rhythm, the guitars and the drums. The secondary vocals, chanting and choral, sound really dreamy yet not divorced from what it should be, and that's what makes this song really great. It is an ultimatum if I've ever seen one. The lyrics are my favorite out of the bunch. The last combination of both vocal types work really well, like a split consciousness between cool, distant reflection and the crazed screaming of the desperate.

Last track, "Hearts Will Grow Heavy"... we are introduced with the gazesque vocals in the background, chanting. It is a really well-done song. We get a transition into the rough vocals of metal, with a drop in drums and guitar riffs, literally, "growing heavy". Evens out into a skimming DSBM song which fits the sound of a conclusive track. Continues alternating between slightly light and heavy, on a whole becoming less energetic. Lyrics from the last song:

A disturbed mind.

Damned without clarity.

A torture lays upon me.

Like a cold breeze upon the forest.

And eventually,

Hearts will grow heavy.

Each song is at least five minutes long, which is a favorable progression in light of certain bands. This album is filled with its little effects and details, that you will have to discover. 

8/10 for DSBM, a fresh look at the genre, moving in its own direction and staying true to its development.