It has been nearly eight years since The Haunted released their last album, 2017’s Strength In Numbers. They return with the same lineup for their latest LP, Songs Of Last Resort, their tenth.
Opening with the fiery “Warhead,” The Haunted pull no punches with their raucous thrash mentality and the well-known vocals of Marco Aro to refamiliarize the band to fans of yore. The titular “Warhead” and the album’s title are a sort of reference to actual letters sent to UK Prime Ministers in case their government was destroyed including a reference to going under the command of the United States, if it was still there.
On “In Fire Reborn” the melody is amped up reminding you of the band’s mid-‘90s rise to glory from the original ashes of then At The Gates; total Gothenburg vibes. “Unbound” is one of the album’s most fun tracks with the riffs jumping in and out of the action before the band gives way to a scorching solo as the drums get worn out not long before the vocals kick back in showcasing some solid songwriting, the kind that keeps the listener on the edge of their respective seats.
Some scattered effects continue to make for a varied listen including “Collateral Carnage” and the effects on its riffs as well as the more straightforward “Blood Clots” chugging through its transition to the album’s final section. “Labyrinth of Lies” slows things down considerably making for one of the more unique songs on the album, making sure to sneak in small sections of the band’s well-known melodicism. The album ends with a pseudo title track “Letter Of Last Resort” being one the album’s oddest entries, closing out the album with bass high in the mix alongside distant spoken word sections before a heavy groove is leaned into, feeling as though the album lost some steam while heading for home.
The Haunted have been at this for quite a long time and if you are already a fan of the band, Songs Of Last Resort won’t change that. For newer fans looking for an X-factor to point towards, it might be the earlier section of the album where the songwriting is a bit punchier and less experimental, but the latter half sags considerably and leaves the listener wanting more. Songs Of Last Resort starts with a bang but ends with a whimper, like a well-planned but eventually lost war effort. A solid return album but it leaves plenty to build upon.
(released May 30, 2025 on Century Media Records)
Heavy Music HQ Rating:
Watch The Haunted – “In Fire Reborn” Video
