ACT V: HYMNS WITH THE DEVIL IN CONFESSIONAL

Now here is a collection of mature, very well constructed, clean, relatively true sounding Neo Prog songs that I can get behind. Great vocal arrangements and very rich song constructions. A class act that has always been solid but seems to keep getting better. The QUEEN-like theatric nature of the music produced here in support of another whole-album concept is truly eclectic. These guys should be staging Broadway productions of their albums!

1. Regress (1:22) (8.5/10) 2. The Moon / Awake (6:09) (8.5/10) 3. Cascade (5:11) (7.5/10) 4. The Most Cursed of Hands / Who Am I (6:42) a two-part song (why not two separate songs?) (9/10) 5. The Revival (5:00) (6.5/10) 6. Melpomene (4:14) (8.5/10) 7. Mr. Usher (On His Way to Town) (4:59) (8/10) 8. The Haves Have Naught (4:12) (8.5/10) 9. Light (4:02) (8/10) 10. Gloria (5:16) (8/10) 11. The Flame (Is Gone) (5:40) my favorite song on the album (8.5/10) 12. The Fire (Remains) (5:26) (8.5/10) 13. The March (4:12) (8.5/10) 14. Blood (4:33) (9/10) 15. A Beginning (6:19) a gentle, emotional song that just might be the best on the album. Great keyboard, orchestral and vocal arrangements. (9/10)

It is unfortunate that the great multi-voiced vocal arrangements that opened the album weren't sustained for Casey's voice can get a little monotonous (despite his efforts at theatrical renderings). The variety of musical stylings and instruments incorporated to produce the Dear Hunter sound is astonishing and commendable. There is still room for improvement, though.

A four star album; a very good album that most prog rock music lovers will probably enjoy.

social review comments | Review Permalink
Posted Thursday, December 22, 2016 | Review this album | Report (Review #1670744)

Woah Nelly! Talk about a bear of an album! Yep, this one's definitely going into the record books. 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 wa ... (read more)

Report this review (#2735417) | Posted by Nhelv | Sunday, April 3, 2022 | Review Permanlink

24th February, 2021: The Dear Hunter - Act V: Hymns With the Devil in Confessional (progressive indie rock, 2016) This has really grown on me in the last 18 months after initially not making much of an impression, to the point where today I raise it to the illustrious 9 category, and declare it m ... (read more)

Report this review (#2431411) | Posted by Gallifrey | Thursday, July 23, 2020 | Review Permanlink

I have been a relative new comer to the world created by Mr Crescenzo, having only started listing with any regularity to his albums since Act iv. However that album was quite a revelation to me and thus when I realised that the next act was out I immediately downloaded it and invested time in comin ... (read more)

Report this review (#1651044) | Posted by Skyperion | Friday, December 2, 2016 | Review Permanlink

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