5 Artist: A Hope for Home
Album: Realis
Label: Facedown Records
Release Date: March 30, 2010
Review by: Michael Mayer III
Tracklisting:
- Nightfall
- The Overman
- Withering Branches
- The Machine Stops
- No Light
- Post Tenebras Lux
- First Light of Dawn
- The Crippling Fear
- The Warmth of the Heavens
- Seasons
- Ascension
- After
It takes a lot to impress me in the post-hardcore genre nowadays and for good reason. It’s been oversaturated for years and labels are still signing these bands like it’s the hottest new fad. Yet they all roughly sound the same with generic breakdowns, crab-like postures, and a typical mix of clean vocals with screaming. Sure, the songs may be catchy sometimes but it’s hard to get into a song you’ve heard a thousand times before by better bands. Luckily we have A Hope for Home and their third release, first on Facedown after being promoted from Strike First, to save us. Their 2009 album, The Everlasting Man, saw the band experiment a bit with their sound as they dabbled in atmospheric interludes and a complete concept. Here the guitars are a main focus being crisp and organic, very much reminiscent of As Cities Burn’s first album, and the clean vocals never approach the ‘whine’ range (yes, that’s an official level now). Realis is like the light at the end of the dark tunnel the genre is in.
The opening track, ‘Nightfall’, immediately sets the mood for the first part of the album. A dreary acoustic guitar starts us off to create a very lonely feel and then the drums, keys, and other guitars jump in and build up to an explosive scream. The creative chords go a long way in driving the song forward as they come to the forefront in between Nathan’s screams of frustration. Most of the songs on this album naturally flow into the next and all of that frustration in the first song gives way to aggression in ‘The Overman’. The heavy riffs and frantic pace only let up at the chorus where the strong and crisp clean vocals enter. You can hear a light use of synths in the background that serve to give the song a larger than life feel as well. Then, whether it’s the addictive chords in ‘Withering Branches’ or the cold, metallic guitars in ‘The Machine Stops’, you are certain to be pulled into each song’s distinct trait.
Next you’re hit with an emotional hammer as the melancholy of ‘No Light’ strikes. Quiet piano notes loft ahead of somber guitar distortion and a foreboding drum beat adds to the dreary atmosphere. The vocalist then chimes in softly as he sings, “There’s no way out. No light, no hope. Put out the fire, it burned so bright. No truth, no hope.”. It’s easily the best song on the album because it’s as hauntingly beautiful as it is awe inspiring. The song continually builds to the ultimate climax of screaming as all the instruments join together in unison. It is, perhaps, the perfect example of what sets a band like A Hope for Home apart from their contemporaries.
From here it appears the album starts the uphill climb out of despair. ‘Post Tenebras Lux’, as it turns out, is Latin for “Light after darkness” and it’s certainly a fitting name. The song reflects as much considering the brooding nature of the previous track. It’s very forward and upbeat, but not without aggression. At points it sounds like the screamer is raging a battle and trying to press forth through some sort of opposing force. The droning guitars add to that notion before making way to some fantastic, peaceful chords at the end. The next few songs continue the climb upwards with swirling guitars, soaring vocals, and a newfound boldness. Don’t worry that the edge is lost though. These songs are every bit as heavy and powerful as the first half.
Before one were to first listen to the album it would be helpful to know that there’s a concept behind it. The band has stated that the first half is meant to be “dark, hopeless, and bleak” while being centered around the Nietzsche quote “God is dead”. The second half then shows a man “building his beliefs from the ground up”. The concept is a bold task and fortunately A Hope for Home’s execution of it was flawless. Some may worry that the album will be too dark and depressing, especially the first half, but you can rest easy in knowing it’s never overbearing. The first half of songs are actually my favorite on the album since A Hope for Home nailed the atmosphere and pull you into the setting so easily. Then by the time the brilliant build up in ‘Ascension’ and the addictive riff in ‘After’ come through you’ve been fully pulled out of the muck and mire and into hope.
Overall: Realis is one of the most beautiful and intricately woven post-hardcore releases you’ll ever hear. The somber melancholy of the first half of the album perfectly matches the theme, and the stirring atmosphere in the latter half resembles one’s rise from the ashes in finding faith and hope. After the last haunting piano notes are played to close the album you’ll be left in awe at what you just heard. This is easily a classic for the genre and the year. The potential A Hope for Home shows leaves me giddy for the next release and if I wouldn’t be enjoying this one for the next few months it couldn’t come soon enough.
Gems of this album are: ‘The Overman’, ‘No Light’, ‘Post Tenebras Lux’, ‘Ascension’, ‘After’
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| Jonathan, 2 hours ago.
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Saw them last night, everything they played was from the album, very good stuff can’t wait to get it.
I was actually wondering how this would transfer live. So it was pretty good then Phil? This is one of those albums I could see them doing a tour for and playing front to back if they were co-headlining or something. Songs being pulled out of context may not work so well but I could be wrong. This is one band I MUST see live before they are done. They just need to come near me. >_<
yeah, i liked it a lot! hands played right after them and both were amazing. i think hands, a hope for home and my epic should go on tour.
though from what i’ve heard, this is hands last tour. they’re going to only do festivals and be a studio band basically
Great review MM3
I can’t wait for this album and this review makes me even more excited. Nice review!
Sweet! excited to pick this up same day as Hundredth. Good review! You have me chompin at the bit!
This album is so great. I really like it.
I think you guys will love it. That doesn’t surprise me Brandon. It really is a stand out in the genre and a work of art. I hope they gain in popularity with this even though it’s not a catchy album full of singles or ear candy breakdowns, ha.
I honestly cannot wait for this album. The Everlasting Man was an awesome album, they are such talented musicians. And like Michael said, they don’t throw in the breakdowns every 5 seconds…which is somewhat amazing, and refreshing.
Good review. I wasn’t a fan of this band until recently.
They went from ‘meh’ to ‘must buy!’ after listening to the new material on their myspace.
I agree, they were ok but their new material is leaps and bounds over their previous material
This is definitly near the top of my most anticipated list. This band knows what it means to push boundries. Its like Misery Signals meets Come Now Sleep era As Cities Burn.
And I agree with what everyone said about their last album. It was amazing, but just not that different than underOath.
I didnt really like their last album at all. I only listened to it like twice.
I didn’t really like it at first, but then I looked up the lyrics and listened to it all the way through a couple times. After that I “personally” thought it was pretty good album…
Same for me.
I think they’re my new fave post hardcore band… they’ve surpassed my love for Haste the Day. :)
Since when is Haste The Day post hardcore?
HAHA, agreed!!!
It’s just genres. Post-grind-crust-death-popcore will always be an interchangeable thing, no matter how much you argue/reason. Music is music.
I consider Haste the Day more metalcore. So, the stream happened, anyone listen? Any thoughts?
As for The Everlasting Man, I loved it but it was just missing something in a few tracks. That was the beginning of their experimentation and this album is them perfecting what they started. Fantastic stuff.
I agree
Amazing review. The anticipation is killing me!
I can’t wait to get this CD in the mail. Although it’s really meant to be enjoyed through an excellent pair of headphones to get the full effect of all the layers of music.
Fantastic review, I really want to hear this now
I got my copy in yesterday and so far I have to say, it’s good but I think the new WITW is much better. Different styles, I suppose. Maybe the great reviews for Realis put my expectations on a ridiculous level so I’m a bit disappointed. Not sure. Don’t get me wrong, I like the album. I just don’t love it like I thought I would. Yet. :)
That might be the key word there Gogo, ‘yet’. It took me 5 listens or so before it really started clicking for me. Especially for the last half of the album which was a bit harder to get into. The first half is beautiful though.
MM3, I agree that I need to keep on this album. I’m listening right now and the more I hear it, the more I enjoy it.
Got my preorder in the mail today with their awesome T-shirt. Liked how they used the IVM description as their sticker promotion on the wrapping. Made me like them that much more. Solid CD =)
Yeah, me too. But what IVM description are you talking about? The ‘For fans of Thrice, Isis, Underoath’ part? That came with the press release for the album so IVM can’t take credit for it.
The shirt definitely looks sweet though and I listened to it in the car for the first time yesterday. I noticed the vocals seem to be more in the background than the music which kind of reminds me of the whole shoegaze scene. You can hear every guitar note clearly which is awesome. Still heard best on a top notch pair of headphones though. Not those cheap little earbud things. :-P
There was another sticker on the wrapping. I’m drawing a blank right now as to what is said and I threw the wrapping away already because I was more focused on getting to that amazing CD. But it was a description in quotes and then it credited Indie Vison Music as the source. If someone else gets the CD and notices that, they should put what it says on here.
I got the sticker, didn’t even notice! It says:
“A creative mix of hardcore, metal, progressive and experimental beauty” – (Indievisionmusic)
Any idea where that’s from? Pretty sweet to see that on the sticker on the front of the album everyone will see!
It’s in the review for The Everlasting Man
Yeah that’s what it was!! I thought it was going to be a quote from the review but I didn’t see the quote in the review. This CD just keeps getting better and better with repeated listens.
I think I got the review out too late for that to happen unfortunately. I’d have been pretty impressed and excited if it did come with a quote from the review. :-P
Hey everyone- its matt from ahfh. I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for all the kind words. we are super stoked the record is finally out, and ivm is a daily stop for me so to see such positive responses is very encouraging!
dude, yall were awesome in Kissimmee! I wish I had the money to buy it off yall. Gettin it off Facedown store soon though.
For sure dude, it’s an amazing album. I love it more every time I listen to it. The lyrics are so in depth and thought provoking. Good work :)
To be honest I prefer The Everlasting Man, more melodic interludes and clean vocals than this album
I agree with Otto. The Everlasting Man is one of my favorite albums of all time(if not my favorite one of all time.) I think Everlasting Man has better melodies and different transitions than Realis. I can honestly say that Realis is probably a better concept album than Everlasting Man, but I still feel a little pulled towards Everlasting Man.
This is a solid album though. This is some amazing work.
Thanks for stopping by Matt. I hope you guys get some success with this album. I’d sooner listen to this then a lot of the stuff out there that is cookie cutter material.
Best album that has come out this year in my mind.
Agree in full Rob. Still spinning this sucker amidst any new release. Definite AotY contender and ‘No Light’ might just be my favorite song of the year so far.
still haven’t gotten my pre order of this : /, pre ordered it when the war of ages pre order went up and haven’t received either due to a mishap in the pressing of the vinyl of the war of ages album.
That sucks Phil. Hopefully that gets sorted out soon. It seems like all my preorders, regardless of who I order from, have lately been late. I still don’t have my Sent by Ravens one. I used to get all preorders at least a day early too. :-/