Reviewed by Ian Webber

Following their well received 'Dissimulation' offering, this Illinois based quartet return with what could be described as an epic. Once again HFTD blend a mixture of styles including classic rock, brooding black metal phrases and post hardcore vocals to produce a very progressive sounding ensemble. There is a great deal of ambition and technical ability here with varied and impressive rhythms throughout. All sound crisp and tight thanks to the help of producer Josh Barber (Norma Jean, Hands). This is certainly an ambitious project with four of the nine tracks coming in around the 10 minute mark. The first and most enjoyable of these is the opener "Acceptance" that sets the scene for this themed album with some clean guitar work, soon giving way to a rhythmically challenging hardcore section. As the album develops HFTD tackle hypocrisy in the church, "Inquitous", and finish with a call to return to faith in God. At times this is a tough listen, the extended tracks tended to go on a bit which is a shame as 'Aletheia' really needs to be tackled in a single sitting to make sense of the overall story. Having said that, this album is fast, furious and has enough about it to set it apart in an overpopulated hard music scene.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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