Album Review: – A LIFE DIVIDED – Human
AFM Records [release date 10.04.15]
A Life Divided are another one of those European bands that I’ve never heard of but new album “Human” is actually their fifth studio release following on the heels of “The Great Escape” released in 2013.
The band was formed in Munich back in 2003 and according the German version of Wikipedia are classed as “metal, gothic electro”…which is a fair description after listening to “Human” but maybe “industrial with pop/rock tendencies” would be more suitable…but then again…hmm…who cares about categories…if it’s good then it’s good…
The band consists of Jürgen Plangger on vocals, Erik Damköhler on guitars, keyboards and programming, Tony Berger on guitar and a rhythm section of Tobi Egger and Korl Fuhmann on bass and drums respectively.
From the off the quality of “Human” shows…Burst kicks things off with an early Nine Inch Nails/Gravity Kills number. The Most Beautiful Black is a cross between Depeche Mode and The Rasmus and will have you singing along with the chorus on the first play.
The songs carry on in a familiar, yet different, vein with snatches of the aforementioned bands plus Linkin Park, VAST and even Anberlin scattered around…
Own Mistake has it all from poppy verses, vocals ranging from sung through to screamed and a blistering guitar solo, Just Nothing mixes Gravity Kills with Linkin Park whilst My Apology is an excellent atmospheric Depeche Mode/Linkin Park amalgam. Final track Happy End is just that…epic track to wind things up.
Well produced, excellent sound, well played, well written and memorable choruses…what more could you want? Well worth checking out…
Highly enjoyable for an unknown band…you never know what quality bands you will find if you look beyond the obvious choices…
****½
Review by Phil Berisford
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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024
In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections
Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
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14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
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