Album Review: downcast – i saw hell when i was with you (Self Released)

Carl Fisher 2 min read

Almost two and a half years in the making, downcast’s debut full length album. ‘i saw hell when i was with you’ is set for release on the 4th of March, and is the follow up to their self-titled EP released in early January 2019.

Frontman Liam Edwards says:

We began recording this album in August 2019 and completed the process across 3 separate studio sessions with Ian Sadler. This release has been a very long time coming, and we’re excited for everyone to finally hear it. Each song gives a very personal insight into my own experiences, struggles and desires.

An album of heartfelt alt-rock and emo tendencies, i saw hell when i was with you is music that will resonate with many. An album that can create connections, ensuring that some listeners don’t feel quite as alone. An album that is melodramatic but also rocking and filled with all manner of catchy hooks.

It’s all of that which grabs the attention from the start with the memorable energy of Britannia Mills and the powerful content of Someplace Safter. A pair of anthems on an album packed with them.

Look no further then the blast of rock and prevailing melodic drops that makes up Catharsis. The bouncy energy, earnest and honest nature of A Weight That I Can’t Stand and the morose melodrama of Hell. It’s music that you can certainly feel.

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If U Want 2’s guitar tone is incredibly infectious, something that forces an outbreak of head-nodding, foot-tapping and more. The group vocals are a particularly strong point. Sylvan View then takes the tempo down a notch for a more pensive listen before Mistakes That I Have Made brings a defiant rhythm and that innate catchiness that makes downcast such a joy to listen too.

Although the word ‘joy’ can be used liberally here as the emo-tendencies of this band do create some moments of misery. Beautiful misery, mind you. Case in point… the finale of I Want to Love Again. A soft melody, a foot-tapping clap and drumbeat, solemn vocals but passionately delivered. All leading to an powerful eruption of heavy rock to end things on a massive high.

downcast – i saw hell when i was with you Full Track Listing:

1. Britannia Mills
2. Someplace Safer
3. Catharsis
4. A Weight That I Can’t Stand
5. Hell
6. If U Want 2
7. Sylvan View
8. Mistakes That I Have Made
9. I Want to Love Again




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downcast – i saw hell when i was with you (Self Released)
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