Album Review: Darkhaus - Providence

There is something new again from «Darkhouse«! After the great debut «My Only Shelter» was released, the album was accompanied by an EP called «Providence» on March 27th. Harder than on the debut, it gets down to business here, powerful riffs determine the basic tone. While "My Only Shelter" was created in sunny Florida and you could tell the "summer" on this disc, "Providence" was largely created in Germany. Rougher, more original, harder!

EPs are always such a thing. If you only find a few titles or even remix versions on one, others are full to bursting and come along as an album. Sometimes they serve as appetizers for what's to come, sometimes as fillers between past and new albums, mainly released for commercial reasons. None of this applies to «Providence»! «Darkhouse» have toured numerous towns and villages in the recent past and despite the daily routine and stress of touring they found time to compose new songs. Since the band didn't want to keep their fans waiting for enough material for a full work, six titles are already being presented as EPs. And although the round of «Darkhaus» may not necessarily attract attention because of its quantity, it does because of its quality, which is comparable to that of its debut «My Only Shelter» (here is the review gentlemen) is in no way inferior, but gets a little rougher. The songs on «Providence» move in an intersection of new wave gothic electro sound, groovy metal, hardcore and nu metal, so a very interesting mixture. Already the first song makes this impression of their music more than clear and shows the fans and potential newcomers where the hammer hangs.

The disc only contains four new songs, but also a live recording from Cologne and an acoustic version. "Drive" live in Cologne also convinces the listener at home how captivating Darkhaus are on stage. "Life Worth Living" in the acoustic version, on the other hand, seems a bit too soft for Kenny's expressive vocals, I personally like the rock version better. Like the songs on «My Only Shelter», the four new tracks pack a punch. With the first tones of «The Fire Within» you feel briefly reminded of icebreakers by the hard riffs. But no, there's also pro-pain: Gary Meskil apparently let off steam with his latest work. But as soon as Kenny's unmistakable voice kicks in, it sounds 100% like Darkhaus! With fascinating lightness he lends the hard riffs a harmonious robe and gives the song melody and depth. The polyphonic "Fire" calls in between give the song a pinch more power. "Side Effect Of Love" is the current single, which starts off with a similar amount of pressure. Here the masterful arrangement, which is the troupe's own, is shown. In one moment it still comes along powerfully, in the next one feels almost transported into a ballad by a very skilful change of tempo. The video for the play was shot in LA at night.

DARKHAUS - Side Effect Of Love (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

The namesake "Providence" begins with a scratchy spoken intro and continues rocking no less. Here the guys show that hard riffs and softer sounds are not mutually exclusive, but can become one together. The chorus, for example, is comparatively calm, but no less powerful for that. After a few listens, a real catchy tune emerges from the cool chorus and the title should really hit live! Last but not least, the four new songs close with the ballad «Throwing Away». Nothing reminds of hard riffs anymore. Kenny's voice unfolds in a completely different way to soulful piano sounds and an acoustic guitar. After the intro, the song continues in a very pop style, but the Darkhaus stamp is unmistakable. A sensitive melody that invites you to dream, winds in the auditory canals and leaves a wonderful reverberation there.

The live version of "Drive" has significantly more pressure and bite than the title on the album. Above all, the really sawing guitars give the alternative-heavy track the right pep. The song was recorded at a live concert in Cologne and gives a little insight into the live qualities of the formation. Where other singers often don't know how to convince live, Kenny shows the coherence down to the smallest facets. Every musician shows here that he is a professional and masters his instrument. Finally, enjoy the original version of «Life Worth Living», the debut album's opener, thriving on Kenny Hanlon's vocals. The development from the soft ballad to the rocking song on the album is very easy to understand here. Here you can hear that the guys can grow a rough diamond into a wonderful piece of music without destroying the original spirit.

The decision to go public with the new titles written on the tour in the form of the EP "Providence" instead of saving them for the next album is a complete success. You can really hear the energy and spirit of the tour on which the pieces were created from the songs and the somewhat more robust production also does the rest to put a concise stamp on the titles. The German weather conditions have apparently found their expression here, in addition to the tour (experience) life. With this album «Darkhaus» show that EPs are still valid today. With "My Only Shelter" they raised the bar for newcomers quite a bit in 2013 and with "Providence" they've gone even further. You can hear the effort and the passion in every single song and that makes this band incredibly likeable and worth listening to! Darkhaus remains an exceptional constellation. This intercontinental conglomeration around songwriter Rupert Keplinger, who repeatedly ends up at the top of the charts with Eisbrecher, Peter Maffay and Laith Al Deen, is supported by Gary Meskil - the NYHC veteran of Pro-Pain and the charismatic voice of Scotsman Ken Hanlon as well as Marshall Stephens (also Pro-Pain) and Paul Keller. So you can be more than excited about the second album, especially since there are rumors that it could be made in Florida again. Until then, you can while away the time with «Providence». With its six songs, the EP ends much too quickly, but the successful tracks invite you to listen to them again immediately and remain interesting for a long time. «Darkhaus» is a band that is worth seeing every time.

You can do the album buy in our shop.

Tracklist:

1. The Fire Within
2. Side Effect Of Love
3. Providence
4. throwing away
5. Drive (Live In Cologne)
6. Life Worth Living (Acoustic Version)

[rwp-review id=»0″]