The Birthday Massacre - Hide And Seek (Album Review)
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Tuesday, 16 October 2012 |
Written by Gemma-Louise Johnson
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Just in time for Halloween, Canadian power-pop sextet The Birthday Massacre return with fifth studio album ‘Hide And Seek’- their latest attempt to scale the touring highs of their acclaimed 2010 release ‘Pins and Needles’, adding rougher, dirtier punk elements to excellent effect, and last year's follow-up EP ‘Imaginary Monsters’ which cranked the aggression factor even higher through collaborations with industrial giants Combichrist and Assemblage 23.
 From the first play, what is so immediately obvious about ‘Hide And Seek’ is the production. Mixed once again by Dave Ogilvie who is best known for his work with the likes of Skinny Puppy, NIN and Marilyn Manson, ‘Hide And Seek’ is another mesmerizing combination of the band’s trademark Gothic electro-pop, new wave wonderland, carrying an increased focus on electronics toying with musical extremes, and an atmosphere mingling metaphoric visions that could easily have sprung from the collective mind of cult movie director Tim Burton.
Despite being endlessly compared to the likes of Lacuna Coil and Evanescence, TBM have never been too afraid to take audacious risks. It’s clear they’ve matured in sound and their music tastes have changed over the years. Lyrically, ‘Hide And Seek’ is unquestionably darker and far more meditative than any of its predecessors. Combining the Gothic pizzazz of Sharon Den Adel, with the rock-chic edge attack of Amy-Lee, leading woman Chibi showcases her most impressive song writing effort yet with striking trademark vocals.
‘Hide And Seek’ searches out the darkest regions and finds awe-inspiring tracks hiding in the crevices. From the opening epic salvo of the soaring ‘Leaving Tonight’ to the perfidious midnight rhythms of ‘Play With Fire’, or the infectious darkwave of ‘Calling’ and twinkling ballad ‘Cover My Eyes’, ‘Hide And Seek’ propels The Birthday Massacre forward musically, injecting fresh blood into their system.
Their penchant for experimentation and enchanting flourishes is what truly distinguishes this band from the rest. ‘Down’ finds the band in even darker territory, ripping scabs off fresh wounds with their trademark slash and burn guitars and synths, while a magical sense of depth and atmosphere is felt in the darkest, moodiest finale track on the record, ‘The Long Way Home,’ bringing together ghostly vocal harmonies with sweeping power chords that rise and fall like the final breaths of a handsome beast.
Combining enchantment with beauty, emotional weight and a distinct tranquil tone, the balance of this 10-track record explores deeper TBM’s very unique niche in which they have created, but what entices TBM devotee, also has the melodic potential to seduce a few new ones.
'Hide And Seek' is available now on via Metropolis Records.
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