The Dark Meditation The Darkness Bleeds CD Review
Seattle’s Dark Meditation have a new release out entitled “The Darkness Bleeds”. This new effort is an MLP. Since the band’s debut “Polluted Temples” in 2022, they’ve been touring non-stop and garnering new fans at every stop.
While the band still isn’t a household name, they’re certainly on the right path with this release of “The Darkness Bleeds”. If you’re into Death Rock with shades of Doom/Goth influence, you’ll find this to your liking. Vocally, Adam Vick, is very reminiscent of vocalist Phil Swanson who’s sang for tons of bands – Hour Of 13, Seamount, Vestal Claret and Solemn Lament, just to name a few. Swanson is one of my favorite vocalists, so I really appreciate the vibes I’m hearing here. The production/recording quality brings the vocals to the front of the mix, they’re not buried like they were on “Polluted Temples”. This is a much better effort production wise; the band seems to have found their voice. So, this is like hearing an entirely new band, to my understanding the band has undergone a lineup change as well.
Musically, we’re in the Metal Lane, but we’re not talking about over-the-top, it’s very relaxing. There are six tracks here, but only 4 of them have vocals, the last track “Thorned Gods & Honeyed Blades” has vocals, but they’re whispered and indecipherable for the most part. The other thing that sticks out to me is the riffage/lead breaks, there’s a ton of classic Metal guitar here, it’s familiar and it feels very lived in. “Hidden Dagger” offers up the most memorable leads and riffs, it’s catchy as hell. “Bleeding Darkness” is a brooding opus that oozes of Death/Goth vibes, it’s probably my favorite of the tunes on the album – it has a twinge of a Horror feel to it as well. If you’re into any of the Phil Swanson lead projects and or Death Rock in general, don’t pass up on a chance to check this band out. I’m eager to hear what they’ll do next. I’m sure these songs will go over well live too, which makes the band even more interesting and fun.