Album Review: The Departed- ‘Steal the Crown’ (19/06/2013- Acuity Records)

Since 2006 this Grimsby born, no nonsense Punk Hardcore five piece The Departed, have been delivering intense music inspired by bands such as The Legacy and American Nightmare. With their savage breakdowns and blends of gang vocals, scream vocals and chants, the band have embarked on 6 full European tours and bucket-loads of UK tours over the past 4 years with the likes of Your Demise.

Their latest record ‘Steal the Crown’, embraces savagely controversial artwork, portraying someone in a hoodie attempting to nab the crown from a dodgy, eerie looking set of three Church-leaders. It’s clear from the off that the quintet keep true to their roots, with ‘Prelude’ introducing the listener to the album by telling a story and building tension- a classic component of Hardcore work. Intriguingly, The Departed still strongly supports the anti-fascist, anti-sexist and anti-racist movement within the Punk Rock scene with their music.

Eerie artwork

‘Faithless’ kicks ‘Steal the Crown’ off at break-neck speed, with rapid tempo changes, screeching vocals, vast breakdowns and dense riffs. The production does what it says on the tin and simply enhances what the boys have created without tarnishing their natural musical flairs. The Departed’s live shows are notoriously rough, and it’s not difficult to see why; switching from cyclic verses to memorable, soaring melodic choruses, the variations in speed in each track keep listeners and the band on their toes. They’re definitely a force to be reckoned with!

Taking aggression and anger, infusing it with catchy hooks and ferocity, the band illustrate a level of energy rarely seen in the industry in ‘Overcome’. They also throw a fresh twist into the mix by combining classic elements of the two genres they embrace- Punk and Hardcore. And it’s not just their distinctive musical work that makes The Departed stand out- they’ve also all retained their uncommon passions in life, from boxing to darts and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

With unrelenting procession and weighty breakdowns aplenty, ‘Tides’ isn’t as tranquil as it sounds. But the chaos of ‘All for Nothing’ utilises enraged vocals, countless power chords and even hints Progressive Rock; an element which continues to ‘Down & Out’. The blend of melodic and scream vocals is done impeccably and really illustrates the abilities of the band, as all members aside the drummer take on vocals along with their signature instrument.

The Departed use a tool often seen in newly released records currently; short songs to keep listeners intrigued and showcase as much of their work as possible within twelve tracks. ‘Taking the Time to Take What’s Mine’ explodes with punch and tons of vim and vigour and the pulsing final breakdown of ‘Memories Lost’ is as intense and severe as you expect from a Hardcore track.

Making use of blazing gang vocals, ‘Fools Will Follow’ goes by quicker than gossip in the office, which makes time and space from the title track and ‘Hopes & Expectations’ (black holes and revelations, anyone?) These final offerings feature guest vocals from Demoraliser’s James Dexter, proving what a tight-knit scene The Departed are part of. The fading façade of ‘Steal the Crown’ conveys how hard the band has worked on making this record commercially appealing and successful, because the production is bursting with variety right down to the final raging chord and screeching note

For five young men who don’t work on their music full time, The Departed have constructed something treacherous in the best way. ‘Steal the Crown’ is distinctive, impeccably put together and subtly slick, not to mention original in a world of catchy, crappy choruses.

4/5