Pallbearer
Heartless
(Profound Lore)
Riding off epic waves of emotion, Pallbearer bring forth their third studio release with Heartless. Whereas their previous record Foundations of Burden was straight forward dense doom, in Heartless the guys weave in soaring melodies, along with hard rock kicks. Don’t be mistaken however, the album’s core still emits a strong emphasis on doom energy and flow. What emerges is a magical treat that at once enchants the listener in a way that grounds them and lifts them towards the heavens.
The quality of the whole band is great. While the drumming and bass provide the balance to aiding tracks with flow, they don’t carry as much punch as the guitar work. Entwined with hefty riffs and golden melodies, the guitar is the main component under the spotlight. It would have been nice to see the bass and drums get a little more dynamic playing (while the latter certainly has its moments). Vocals provide some nice addition to emotion throughout the songs, with bits of inflection in tone there and then. Overall there is a strong bravado to the vocals, whether through singing or the brief moments of yelling.
“I Saw the End” sets in with a steady drum section and a heftier churn in guitar. Vocals carry on with a density, easing at times to allow a bit more air and follow the guitar flow. The overall instrumental vibe of the record is that of melancholy, and this opening track certainly kicks that off in the right direction. “Lie of Survival” begins with contrasting tones that play with depth and brightness. The song adds on a layer of fuzz, aiding the vocals in their somber approach. There are also some serious riffs on here that come with an aggressive kick. To match the moments where vocals settle into sadness, the guitar takes on bright droning notes that ring through the voice. Unlike the band’s previous record, there is a strong use of melodies in the material. Those melodies are what really help this album in driving forward the emotion, excitement, and chemistry of the music. The strong doom core tends to latch on to those same melodies, which at times can make some of the titles blend in with each song (regardless of how pretty they sound). This doesn’t happen to a level where the material becomes repetitive, but there is a common structure to the material that is easy to pick up on.
“Cruel Hand” is the most rocking song of all the titles on the record. Here the drums really let loose, the vocals get much louder, and the guitar rips with a punch. Unlike the rest of the songs, there is a wicked excitement in the energy. “Heartless” combines heavier use of drumming with sludgy guitar tones, and a kick ass solo thrown in. The track has much more of a grit to it that drags forward with heft. “A Plea for Understanding” is the album’s ending track, and makes for a brilliant finale. Sparse guitar tones and light drumming open the track, leading into a guitar rhythm that vibrates with fuzz and sorrow. The melding of sorrowful dense tones with brightness strike an emotional chord, especially when the vocals first come in, more gentle than heard previously. When the vocals rise, there is such a sense of power and pain felt, that it is borderline tearful to hear.
Heartless is an extraordinary journey of searching for hope. With breath taking instrumentation packed with emotion, Pallbearer have crafted a record with the ability to let loose the floodgates on the feelings within. The band’s instrumental moments of gentle exploration meet with times of great intensity, making for a dynamic work that captures the listener. While common structure blends through, it never takes away from the shining purity that makes Heartless grand.
