Album Review: The Hellfreaks – Pitch Black Sunset (Napalm Records)

Waving the flag of a new generation of metal, alternative and punk, The Hellfreaks will release their new album ‘Pitch Black Sunset’ on April 14th, 2023 via Napalm Records.

What a moment this is for The Hellfreaks. Having busted their asses for years, they’re now about to release their fifth studio album on Napalm Records. Not only that, it’s an album that finds the band sounding super fired-up. They’re about to gain a ton of new fans.

Beginning with dramatic melody that turns into something more abrasive and electronica hardcore-esqe on Sunrise, The Hellfreaks come out swinging for the fences with Old Tomorrows. The ballsy alt-punk energy is off the scale and it’s an immediate modern day Hellfreaks anthem. Vocalist Shakey Sue is sounding great here regardless of if she is shouting or singing.

The bar has been set with that opener and Hit Me Where It Hurts’ changes tactics with a more experimental metal orientated effort. Showcasing the variety in The Hellfreaks sound and how versatile they can be.

Pitch Black Sunset just gets better and better as it goes on. Chaos proving to be an apt title as The Hellfreaks unleash a frenzied level of carnage. Weeping Willow is moody, mind-altering, and much more eclectic with its effects-laden melodies. Body Bag is an anthemic hyperactive ball of intensity, and Rootless Soul Riot delivers head-banging groove and circle-pit inducing mayhem that everyone will love.

The Hellfreaks really have becoming a name synonymous with quality and with a grungy edge and pounding chorus, they put the final stamp of quality on this release with PBSS. Up there as one of the album’s best tracks. Even though there really isn’t an average track on it. Quality over quantity here as Sunset wraps things up in similar style to the opener. Still extremely melodic but with a peppier tone. It’s a satisfying closer.

The best album they’ve released to date? It’s hard to argue with the suggestion after hearing Pitch Black Sunset.

The Hellfreaks – Pitch Black Sunset Track Listing:

1. Sunrise
2. Old Tomorrows
3. Hit Me Where It Hurts
4. Chaos
5. Weeping Willow
6. Body Bag
7. Rootless Soul Riot
8. PBSS
9. Sunset

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