Hangman’s Chair – Saddiction – CD Review

Hangman’s Chair – Saddiction – CD Review

27th January 2025 0 By Oli Gonazlez

So, what are your plans for 14th February, AKA St Valentine’s Day? If you’re in a relationship or married, you’ll probably be on some fancy dinner, a trip to Paris, or just a quiet night in. Something romantic that’ll get the emotions stirring up, right? Well, I’m not sure if any of these things can get you in the feels in the same way that the latest offering for Hangman’s Chair will do!

Whatever your plans are for this day, cancel them and schedule in some time to listen to “Saddiction”. Ok, maybe I’m being a little hyperbolic, but trust me this is good. Very good! See, I came across the French post-metallers last autumn having caught their set at the Damnation festival. They know how to put on a live show! Their doomy yet melodic and psychedelic sound made them stand out for all the right reasons that day. As such, this makes for an interesting frame of reference for this upcoming voyage into “Saddiction”.

It feels as though they’ve still stuck to what works and has worked for them for many years. Huge riffs, Cedric’s soaring lead vocals, and an uncompromising crushing atmospheric backdrop that still retains a uniquely melodic quality. They’ve taken this simple yet never-to-be-replicated formula and made some serious upgrades. Not that they needed any!

Seriously, right from the get-go in ‘To Know The Night’, you’re slapped in the face by crushing bass and rhythmic assault, offering you a reminder of your impending doom! Yet the accompanying melodic and synth elements make this supposed-to-be gruesome experience enjoyable. A theme that continues throughout the album.

I’ve been a fan of doom metal bands that juxtapose the sheer atomic weight of their riffs with soothing calming clean vocals. Pallbearer and Ahab do this majestically. Add Hangman’s Chair to that mix as well now. Cedric is a powerhouse in his strongest recorded vocal performance yet!

Whilst I said no upgrades were needed, looking back, I can’t help but think that some of the band’s older material can sometimes start to feel a little too repetitive. Not on “Saddiction” though. No, the album is paced wonderfully with an inspired exploration of progressive and other compositional patterns that steer very far from the garden path. All in the name of Hangman’s Chair carving their very distinct and inspired path. There’s sufficient variety to keep you engaged and guessing. Whilst most songs hover around the 6-minute mark, ‘Kowloon Lights’ sits south of 4 minutes thus making this a radio-friendly and accessible number for seasoned post-metal fans, or those new to the genre. Really, if I was going to introduce someone to heavy music, it would be via Hangman’s Chair. This is due to the sheer cavernous emotional depth crammed into each carefully crafted track on this album, each of which is capable of pulling you in multiple directions and making you feel emotions you never knew you had!

If you only have time for one song, make it ‘Canvas’. If nothing else, it’s for that scorching lead guitar solo! A solo that’s dripping in raw human sentiment. Try to get through the whole thing without getting misty-eyed!

Is it too early to say ‘album of the year’? Nope, we certainly have a contender already!

What are my plans for St Valentine’s Day? Well,l I’m glad you asked…

Score – 9.5/10

TRACKLISTING

    1. To Know The Night
    2. The Worst Is Yet To Come
    3. In Disguise
    4. Kowloon Lights
    5. 2 AM Thoughts
    6. Canvas
    7. Neglect
    8. 44 YOD
    9. Healed
      Label – Nuclear Blast
      Release – 14th Feb 2025

      For all things Hangman’s Chair, click HERE and to purchase the album, click HERE

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