Hanging Garden – Blackout Whiteout

Label: Lifeforce Records     released: autumn 2015

Hanging Garden is one of the (numerous) Finnish acts where you can rely on a high product. This 4th release is no exception, and I know that people who have learned to appreciate this band before, do not need to read further to get it from the nearest record store – or better, I assume they have already done so …

Therefore, this is for all those who need to be introduced to this band:

Hanging Garden provide the perfect soundtrack for this autumn season. Gloomy-doomy atmosphere, very melancholic, occasionally spooky, rough and aggressive, but still very melodic and hauntingly beautiful. Awaking all the emotions you might feel when walking through an ancient graveyard on a misty November afternoon – pretty creepy but still fascinating and enticing.

Blackout Whiteout, lyrically dealing with inner conflicts and the darker sides of life in general, does not provide this kind of “instant ear candy”, like for example the title track of the predecessor “At Every Door”. This album rather focuses on atmospheric epic soundscapes, playing with moods, catering less frequently to Melodic Death audiences. Words That Bear No Meaning is a good example, evoking a pretty terrifying atmosphere but still providing somewhat catchy melodies. No need to explain any further, just watch the new official video Embers.