ACT V: HYMNS WITH THE DEVIL IN CONFESSIONAL

It's safe to say this album is close to being completely perfect from beginning to end. While the first tracks didn't really surprise me that much despite being good, everything that came after was absolutely brilliant. Seriously, wow.

This is currently the latest The Dear Hunter album, Act V: Hymns With The Devil In Confessional. This album is the fifth installment of the Dear Hunter story, happening around ~20 years after Act IV: Rebirth In Reprise. Casey is musically-speaking much more mature than when he started, and it really shows. There's a phenomenal balance between ballads, alt-rock, orchestration, progressive metal, progressive rock, rock-theater, all this combined with reprises from previous acts, it truly feels like the endgame of this album-series, and it's quite surprising to know that there's still one more act in queue.

As I said before, the first three tracks didn't surprise me much, which scared me because I thought the rest of the album was going to be like that. It wasn't. The Most Cursed Of Hands provides that sweet Theatrical vibe I so love, while being balanced yet dynamic at the same time. The transition towards the next track is amazing. The Revival has Casey singing with a very sarcastic tone, his vocals are phenomenal! After those two heavy-hitters, Melpomene works as a beautiful and nice ballad.

Mr. Usher is a very funky and jazz-inspired track, with a comical vibe, reminiscent of The Pimp And The Priest. After the very serious Melpomene, it only makes sense to add some spicy-ness to the album. The Haves And The Naught is a slightly heavier ballad that flows incredibly well towards the next track, Light, which is one big moody build-up for Gloria, one of their most popular songs and a true standout.

But wait, there's more!

The Flame (Is Gone) & The Fire (Remains) work as one track, I personally prefer the bombast of the first part, but the calm vibe of the second part is very necessary for the album as a break. The March is very epic, featuring stomping drums and dramatic vocals on a megaphone, I love this track. Blood is one of my favorite tracks in their discography, from the reprises of The Old Haunt, to the dramatic and climactic lyrics, to the epic orchestral ending. A true masterwork. New Beginning is very moody and ends with a reprise of City Escape.

I love almost every track in this album, it's crazy. Their best to date in my opinion, and also their most mature. One of the best progressive metal albums of this Millenium without a doubt, and a true statement to the progressive rock/metal scene. Five Stars for sure!

P.D. To top it off, this album also got the best album cover of their discography, I mean look at that! It's so pretty (*⁰▿⁰*)

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