The Dead Lay Waiting “Almost Heaven” review
The Dead Lay Waiting
Luke Lucas – Vocals
Sam Sara – Bass
Steve Franklin – Guitar
Ben Connett – Guitar
Tom Shrimpton – Drums
*review by Daryl BK
@DarylBK
Kerrang has told me that The Dead Lay Waiting is 2011’s Best British Newcomer, somebody wrote it, I read it, it must be true. The band hails from the township of Swindon in the United Kingdom. A town that may be better known for a little band by the name of Supertramp, but not for long. TDLW has released their sophomore follow up to We Rise, Almost Heaven in Europe already, and has slighted their American release for January 24th.? Initial reports from over the pond have the quartet being the next huge thing as they have already played the festival circuit and garnered much attention both here and abroad, yet they have not been able to schedule a full U.S. tour. My advice would be to not let their promos form too much of an opinion and give them a spin.
1.24.2012
Tracklist:
1. Intro – 3:13
2. Wake Up – 2:56
3. This Day Will Be Your Last – 3:29
4. Take Me Away – 2:44
5. Decaying King – 3:36
6. Burnt To Ashes – 3:49
7. Open Your Fucking Eyes – 3:09
8. Always Ask Why – 3:35
9. Voices – 6:17
10. The Days I’m Gone – 5:50
11. Interlude
12. Choke On Your Words
13. Pray To Me
14. Look At Us Now
15. Almost Heaven
The intro to this album will certainly prepare you for a primitive battle, but will do little to prep you for the sonic onslaught that The Dead Lay Waiting try to bury you with. They were able to draft solid songs out of the tracks laid down for this album but have fallen short of turning in anything ground breaking or something to be construed as must listen to material. Maybe one of the biggest reasons for a U.S. absence is the absence of originality. At best this is a Suicide Silence knock off. At worst it is digitally enhanced King Diamond.
Still this album has bright spots; tracks Decaying King and Always Ask Why showcase excellent vocal pairing and absolute genius when it comes to blending the up tempo drum beats with very technical guitar sweeps. A couple tracks later The Days I’m Gone comes in very anathematic and does its best to rescue the album but still falls a bit short.
And just so you don’t think that all I do is kill bands, I am able to say that this is one of the most talented groups of musicians that I have heard in a long time. There is just something wrong with the composition, I can’t point it out, but my ears tell me that something is missing. I truly believe they are one or two ingredients away from being that “next big thing”. Start with doing something about the dual vocal styling’s, and once they have figured that out, maybe they won’t have to wait 7 months for a U.S. distribution deal and release date.
Rising Records may be sitting on a gold mine of a band, but only time will tell. This is one of those bands whose live show can make or break my outlook, here’s to a trip across the pond and a full U.S. tour.
Currently there are no scheduled tour dates.
To learn more about The Dead Lay Waiting, check out:
www.thedeadlaywaiting.com
www.myspace.com/thedeadlaywaiting
www.facebook.com/the-dead-lay-waiting
www.risingrecords.org
About the Author
Denise Borders 39, Los Angeles. Denise founded PWV in 2008 and remains the primary manager and photographer/videographer. She is not secretly obsessed with Joey Cape.
Related Posts
PHOTOS: Mac Sabbath Celebrates 10 Years alongside Guttermouth and Angry Samoans →
State Champs Release Self-Titled Album Today →
Time to Change Religions with ‘The Unofficial Iron Maiden Bible’ →
