The Banner, Each Breath Haunted

I’ve listened to this album numerous times since purchasing it a couple of weeks ago. Each time I come to the same conclusion—it’s a damn good album. It’s got a great aggressive hardcore feel, but also as elements within the music and song writing that really show that these guys are versatile as well.

The album kicks off with Devilhawks which really sets the tone for this album. Dark, heavy, and evil.

I Hope Your Body Dies Long Before Your Mind

The horror sub genre of hardcore has been around for a long while, yet in the past couple years the emergence of bands like The Banner and Zombie Apocalypse mark the rising of its popularity. My only issue with this sub genre often times is the lyrics. Usually full of references to zombies, vampires and the such they can come across super campy. The Banner don’t seem to fall into this trap, as their song writing is a bit more subtle in those area. They are, however, not in the least bit subtle about saying what’s on their mind.

For being such a dark album it really is fun to get into. There are plenty of gang shouts for the listener (and I would imagine the crowd at a live show) to really scream along with.

I’ll Fucking Smile When You’re Fucking Dead

I only have two issues with this album. The first being that the instrumentals, while short enough in duration not to completely kill the flow of the album, are best suited for the intro/outro sort of deal. The first instrumental feels like an attempt at a score for a horror movie. It’s slow, dark and foreboding. The second instrumental involves a little more of the bands sound with some blasting guitars finishing it off.

The second problem with this album is the last 2-3 minutes of Hell on a Horse. It’s an ebbing sound effect that causes me to immediately skip to the next track without pause. It definitely slows this album down and, for me, kills the flow. That sort of sound effect should be relegated to the last track on the CD as an outro.

Other than those two nitpicks, I have nothing bad at all to say about this release. It’s fun, spooky, and heavy.

Favorite Tracks:
Devilhawks
Venom and Hope
Black Hood
Coffin Nails