HAUNT - Dreamers (Review)

Written by: Blackie Skulless

Leave it to Trevor to take me out of review retirement, huh. Year after year, I have found myself writing (at least) a review for Haunt annually. Anybody who has followed me knows how much I love everything from Mind Freeze and before, and how much I love different things about each following record without my mind needing to be blown. Well, I guess Dreamers is the one to break that trend, because boy do things actually take a turn here!

Not to say that Haunt has stepped away from the heavy metal genre, but this is the most significant deviation from their classic core that we’ve gotten thus far. Rather than being another cut of stripped-down traditional metal with mildly varying toppings, this lifts up different layers to take the forefront. Strangely, the vocals and guitars swap taking a backseat despite still being a vital ingredient, depending on the track. The drum clashes pop harder than ever, and the synths feel like a tool to cast a mistier atmosphere rather than being another outlet for melody like on former records.

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This works absolute wonders, which I honestly noticed immediately in the opener “Serenade,” my favorite track. Acoustic guitars fall into place right when you would be expecting a breakneck riff, and the way the synths hold them afloat casts a warmer presence that still feels powerful. Plus, the chorus on here is one of the best Church and Co. have written in ages. Others emphasize the bass guitar to compliment the lead sections, altering the song progression to a more derivative style, seen clearly in “One Chance.” Softer tones upfront with a hard background can be found everywhere, like in “Send Me An Angel,” and the steady gallops with background effects boost this song in particular really nicely.

And again, I must point out the importance of the drums. “Steel Mountains,” despite its softer intro, feels like one of the heaviest hitters due to the speed metal riffs wrestling with the vocals for the foreground, but neither of them can match the energy kicked out from the kit. Perhaps this kind of contrast is what helped Dreamers stand out so well. Songs like “Return To Sender” have such an aggressive bite to them, but the chorus almost feels harmless, further cementing that “powerful but not overly heavy” theme. The bass bridge is also a hell of a nice touch here as the song sees itself out.

Don’t read me wrong; Golden Arm and the likes are worth hearing, especially since that one at least dropped a small hint of an upcoming change. None jump at me the way this album has, however. Only a mild change was needed to the songwriting formula in some spots, but a major change to the production and layout was what made it feel significant. Longtime Haunt fans will still find their melodies, gang chants, and heavy metal chops; it’s just that this time, they’re an ingredient, rather than the foundation that something new is built on top of.

Haunt - Dreamers was released March 1st, 2024 via Church Records.Find it here!

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