Daylight Dies, Lost to the Living
Picking up where the band left off with their stellar 2006 release Dismantling Devotion, Daylight Dies continue to progress and surpass their own doom filled metal accomplishments. With Lost to the Living the North Carolina group meld melancholy tones, doom riffs and a despair inducing atmosphere with a refined delivery that shows signs of maturation and a willingness to bear the brunt as a leader for their genre.
At times soft and moody, Lost to the Living slithers in and out of feelings of bleakness and desperation punctuated by the crushing wait of doom fueled riffs and dissonant rhythms. It’s always a pleasure to experience an album that shows immense growth within a band and their music. Daylight Dies’ latest effort from Candlelight records is just such an album.
Cathedral
The opening track starts off the album with light guitar work before some large riffs come in just before the 40 second mark along with the rhythm section. The pace is fairly slow at this point as Nathan Ellis’ vocals come in raw and gruff, but not quite guttural. This one has a pretty melancholy and resigned sound to it, but still has moments of powerful riffing and drum work. The mood gets a bit darker as the song progresses — eerie guitars and beefy rhythms.
A Portrait in White
“A Portrait in White” comes in with rhythmic guitars and thick drums. It’s got a slightly quicker pace to it, but is still melancholy and dark. I really like the guitar work before the 3:50 mark. There’s a desolate, hopeless feel to it that compliments the gruff growls. The lead at 4:30 is great, as well and ends out the song.
A Subtle Violence
More light guitar work starts off this next one. Once everything else comes into play there’s actually a bit of aggression to everyone’s delivery. The over all sound is mournful, yet there really is a subtle violent edge to it. There are some big riffs around the 3:30 point of the track.
And a Slow Surrender
“And a Slow Surrender” flows in from the end of the previous track smoothly with light guitars and rhythms. The atmosphere is a bit more bleak, complete with string orchestral elements. The instrumental ends just before reaching three and a half minutes.
At a Loss
A memorable bit of guitar work starts off “At a Loss” as the vocals quickly follow. Despair and a smothering sense of gloom fill the air as this one slowly envelopes the listener with thick rhythms and melancholic leads.
Woke Up Lost
“Woke Up Lost” starts with a bit of a rock vibe to it. Sure, it’s still pretty dark sounding, but it has a little something else to the guitar tones. The vocals are much different as well, taking on a cleanly sung Lane Staley like approach. Melancholy hooks and somber leads lend to the despair riddled sound that this one fills the air with.
Descending
“Descending” certainly takes on a more aggressive and darker sound than the previous track. We’re back to the raw growls and heavier overall sound. There’s still the unmistakable air of impending doom in the air, but it’s got a more direct approach to it. I like the big riffs and creative drum work at the 1:50 mark. And be prepared about the 3:43 mark — a bit of chaos and chugging riffs that’ll get the blood pumping with a quickness.
Last Alone
With a soft opening of light guitar work and orchestral stings, “Last Alone” definitely givs the feeling that you’re the last one alive on some desolate plain. Softly sung clean vocals come in just before the one minute point of the track. There’s also a bit more keyboard work to this one, adding to the feeling of solitude.
The Morning Light
After that slower, more Sade-like track, “The Morning Light” starts out with some heavier guitar work and smooth drums as guttural growls come in. It’s definitely got a darker edge to it with raw riffs and thick beats, but the group tempers it with lighter interludes of melancholic guitars.
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If you’re looking for a little doom in your life, that’s not completely suffocating and has a melancholic edge to it, check out Daylight Dies’ Lost to the Living. This is truly a step in the direction of mastering their genre and leaving everyone else in the dust.
Favorite Tracks:
All of them
Additional Notes:
N/A