I always ask this question in my own head when it comes to family members of “bigger” bands releasing music – has that influence made any difference when it comes to either the band’s sound or their standing in the ‘scene’? It’s difficult to suggest Blackhole sound like Gallows because, well, they don’t. Sure, the vocal deliveries have a slight similarity, but whereas Gallows have gone down a very bleak, dark route, this is much more in-yer-face and ballsy. Have Blackhole benefited from Gallows‘ popularity? Undoubtedly. They’d be idiots not to admit it – Blackhole frontman Richard Carter’s relationship with Gallows‘ Frank has meant the bands have toured together relentlessly and the nature of this country’s press means any interest has also featured the link. It’s helped give Blackhole a leg up.
But it’s only one leg up and it’s the release of this album that suggests Blackhole are more than capable of standing on their own two feet. ‘Dead Hearts’ is a passionate beast of an album. The guitar work is frenetic and fantastic; some of the riffs here are seriously good. The opening ‘Don’t Cry’ passes by in the blink of an eye but that lead guitar part at the end of the song is seriously to-die-for. ‘Scared To Change’ has a real energy to it and it’s no surprise this song will be the ‘single’, while ‘Tides’ and ‘My Lord’ are crackers too.
What I do like about this album compared to the EP is that the vocals sound much more rounded and less throaty. They’ve not lost any passion or guts, they just sound better. Not sure if that’s musical maturity or better production, or maybe even both. Either way, the band sound better for it. And while there are a couple of filler tracks that don’t really stick it, this is progression. Everything is better than their previous output. And that means any comparisons to other bands should really only be made by lazy people.