Dead Swans – Sleepwalkers – Review

Release Date: August 11th, 2009
Record Label: Bridge Nine Records
Genre: Hardcore

Dead Swans have been making a lot of noise from across the pond in the UK. Enough to grab the attention of Bridge Nine Records for a record deal, Dead Swans fit perfectly within B9’s roster of hardcore madmen. Sleepwalkers due out August 11th marks the debut album for Dead Swans on their new found home. Twelve hardcore anthems that will have kids piling on and screaming out their lungs; with hooks from the left and right, Dead Swans set out to leave their mark.

It only takes twenty seconds for the metallic hardcore static to fade and a classic in your face hardcore sound to takeover your stereo. Thinking of You, sets the tone for the album, heartfelt hardcore anthems for anyone to relate to, “When I need you most, your not there.” The group chants come naturally to songs, rather than strategically placed one liner within a breakdown fueled disasters that litter the genre. Hide and Seek the shortest song on the album just might be the best on the album with very intelligent lyrics. Dead Swans keeps the hooks rolling all throughout Sleepwalkers.

Speaking strictly at face value Dead Swans will seem like just another hardcore band. But, if you dig into the lyrics you are sure to find something you relate to, which will in turn make you listen and enjoy. At the same time, Sleepwalkers seems to lack the sound that will separate them from the rest of the pack, if you are not really into hardcore, Dead Swans is just going to look like another face in the crowd.

In the end, it is the passion and intensity that flows through the lyrics and the delivery that make Sleepwalkers well worth the listen, just don’t expect anything revolutionary. It will be interesting to see how Dead Swans progresses in their career, they have the lyrics and delivery down pat, now just wait and see if they do anything different from the crowd to separate themselves from the pack in a “dare to be great” fashion. If you’re a fan of hardcore you can relate to such as Bane, or Killing the Dream definitely your type of album, for everyone else give “Thinking of You,” and “Ivy Archway,” a listen on the bands myspace and see if it pleases your ears. ~Staff

Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:
1. Thinking Of You
2. Ascension
3. Ivy Archway
4. Swallow
5. So Far You’ve Only Made Things Worse
6. 20.07.07
7. Winter Overture
8. Hide And Seek
9. …And When It Seemed So Bright
10. Montpellier To Home
11. Today, Tonight, Tomorrow
12. Tent City