Search - Darkest Hour :: Eternal Return

Solid, But Not Their Best

Eric D | Michigan | 01/02/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Don't believe all the talk that Darkest Hour sucks since they lost their "shredder" Kris Norris. On their latest record, these D.C. metallers have taken their fast, heavy, and scary sound........and made it faster, heavier, and scarier.



Though it doesn't quite match up to their 2005 masterpiece Undoing Ruin, it's a step in the right direction after 2007's so-so effort Deliver Us. Check out one of the album's stand-out tracks like "The Tides" and you know will know what I am talking about.



To put it plainly, this is a band based around riffs, not leads, and The Eternal Return proves that, acting as a modern nod to old-school thrash, without sounding old, tired, or cliche."

Just not quite the album it could be...

Almost Home | undisclosed | 08/10/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"When Kris Norris departed Darkest Hour, I was shocked. When I heard they had replaced his with one of their own roadies, I felt like congrats were in order. When I then heard that a new album was forthcoming, I was, as with all DH releases, pumped beyond words. I have waited until now to post a review of this record because I wanted to give it a chance to marinate. After doing so I have to say that at least in my opinion, Kris Norris is sorely missed. Having looked back I saw that there was something missing from the new Darkest Hour record and I determined that it was Kris Norris who provided it. That certain something was a sense of light in the darkness and beauty in the chaos that is Darkest Hour. Sure, this is a good cd. But it is not a great cd. Surely it is not a mix of all the great DH elements. This is not a total failure by ay means. John Henry sounds meaner and more pissed off than ever. That is what saves this from being a two-star effort. DH fans will pick it up. If this is your first DH cd, then you are starting off with a somewhat lesser product than they are capable of producing."

Eternally Great Albums

Derek Bickhart | Fairfield, CT United States | 06/24/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is my first Album review on Amazon, and I have to admit that my motivations for writing it were found in the guitar riffs of Darkest Hour's new song, "Black Sun," on this very album. Pure metal bliss! I could not help but heap praise on the album after hearing that segment!



I have only given the album a cursory play through, half expecting a regression of the band from a supposed peak they reached with their last album Deliver Us. Luckily my fears were not realized! Darkest hour has produced another album that will make the hair on the back of your neck stand on end and will sock you with its fast tempos and genius songwriting.



There is some recycled material, and you may find yourself thinking, "hey, haven't I heard this song before," but Darkest Hour actually manages to take each song to different levels. They show that they do not have a limited number of permutations for their songs, and they throw in enough new techniques to make this an actual progression from their previous album.



To all American Metal Bands: you can keep your style and sound and come up with new material. No need to "experiment" with more mainstream sounds; Darkest Hour just proved that with this new release. I highly recommend this album!"