Newcomer DEATH DEALER UNION is another band, in a long list of bands, that has looked to the past for inspiration. The end result is “Initiation,” an album that sees vocalist Lena Scissorhands (INFECTED RAIN) use more of her melodic clean voice to carry the sometimes bluesy but almost always ‘80s-inspired melodies. Their debut record was released on September 22nd, 2023, via Napalm Records.
With such an aggressive name like DEATH DEALER UNION, one would expect an equally aggressive soundscape from this American band. But no, their music is only low-key heavy as, for the most part, Lena Scissorhands’ melodic and rich vocals dominate. That doesn’t mean that it’s all just beautiful singing with some backing percussions as the two guitarists, Doug Weiand and Hunter Havok, deliver some tasty hard rock-infused riffs and leads on select tracks while Lena also showcases the harsher side of her voice to maximum effect as it mixes nicely with the often-times sharp guitars. This exact mix of old-school sounds with a more modern/melodic background is what makes “Initiation” such an intriguing listening experience. By extension, this makes DEATH DEALER UNION feel a bit like a niched band on the metal scene, as the five-piece have created their own sonic universe.
Cinematic “Initiation” is a short instrumental intro of droning sounds and electronic flourishes that gives way to single “The Vow of Silence” which opens beautifully with Lena’s layered vocals singing “Cut the feelings to the bone” in a very bluesy fashion. This gorgeous song moves neatly between an ethereal chorus section anchored by the aforementioned melodic hook and harsher passages fueled by a melodic guitar riff. It’s pure ear candy delight and the same can be said for most of the tracks on this album. Up next, both “ILL FATED” and “The Integument” bring some ‘80s nostalgia to the fold with their clean guitar tones while the vocal dynamics inject the tracks with healthy doses of energy and intensity. Otherwise, they’re pretty straightforward numbers that capitalize on simple riffs that work well in tandem with groovy rhythms. This is the secret to their soundscape: an uncluttered but always effective songwriting style that doesn’t lean too much on complex melodies… well-layered vocals usually do the trick.
Some of the most melodic tracks on display are probably “Ekphrasis,” “Mythos,” and “The Big Blue” where Lena’s vocals have more room to shine while the sparse pockets of heaviness that harken back to the ’90s heavy metal scene make them feel more robust and hefty. The fiery solos on “Mythos” and “The Big Blue” need to be mentioned as some of the album’s high points while lyrically, they deal with some pretty interesting things like religion as a myth and the planet as our home. Though, to be honest, when it comes to environmental issues, I like LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE’s latest single, “Breathing Souls,” much better as it has a certain gravitas that the DEATH DEALER UNION track simply lacks.
On the downside, the album’s second half loses steam and drags a bit because it doesn’t really offer anything new to what we have heard so far. If both melodious “Back to Me” and symphonic-infused “The Downfall” seem like pretty standard tracks at this point (amazing solos notwithstanding), it’s heavy ballad “Love Me When I’m Ugly,” with its candid lyrics and heartfelt vocals, that hits all the emotional marks, thus being one of the album’s best surprises. Speaking of surprises, theatrical number “Beyond Heaven” is a groovy track that would have fared better as a mid-album song as it would have given the tracklist a boost of energy with its harmonies and musical embellishments. As it stands, it closes the album on a rather high note leaving listeners with a positive impression of what the band can deliver.
To conclude, DEATH DEALER UNION have crafted a good albeit safe record in “Initiation.” On the plus side, they have established their particular sound with this collection of songs. Moreover, by swaying between hard rock and heavy they can not only appeal to both rockers and metalheads but they also have created their own place on the scene. And for a band at the beginning of its journey to have such a good grasp of its sound is no small feat. Therefore, DEATH DEALER UNION are prone to be the next big thing on the scene, so go and check out this album to see for yourself what it’s all about. I’m sure fans of Lena Scissorhands’ main band, INFECTED RAIN, will find lots to love here even though DEATH DEALER UNION has a distinctly different approach to their music than the Moldovan metalcore unit.
Written by Andrea Crow
Tracklist
1. Initiation
2. The Vow of Silence
3. ILL FATED
4. Ekphrasis
5. The Integument
6. Mythos
7. The Big Blue
8. Back To Me
9. The Downfall
10. Love Me When I’m Ugly
11. Anew
12. Beyond Heaven
Lineup
Elena Cataraga – Vocals
CC McKenna – Percussion
Doug Weiand – Lead Guitars
Hunter Havok – Rhythm & Lead Guitars
Jonny Heinz – Bass
Label
Napalm Records
