Description
“Move, you fall and we die!” Yeah! Whoever pissed off Robert Lowe between 1992 and 1994 should be commended! Following the slightly stale Beyond the Crimson Horizon, Through the Darkest Hour is a killer from start to finish largely due to Lowe’s re-found melodic brilliance and new-found agression. Solitude Aeternus left [or got dropped by] Roadracer and did this one for Pavement, moving the whole show to England for the recording of the album. That meant leaving behind producer Dan Brown, who was responsible for the wonderful sound on Beyond. However, though what was layed down on tape may not sparkle the same, it was a triumphant return to form for the Texas quintet. The songs simmer with growing aggression and energy that got lost the last time out with Falling, Pain and Perfect Insanity sounding downright hateful. The 8th Day / 9th Day suite is very nice, with some experimentation in the instrumentation, bringing in a sitar player for the breakdown near the end of 9th Day. Other songs tread familiar territory, but every song has little surprises and nuances that make this, quite possibly, the best Solitude Aeternus release for your money.
