"Darker Days Ahead" is the fourth album by one of underground punk's most well respected acts, Tragedy. Despite their nearly legendary status within the DIY hardcore punk culture, Tragedy has managed to avoid mainstream notoriety. This is in no small part to the band's personal ethos that takes a critical stance against traditional forms of mass media (the band does not regularly engage in interviews and does not utilize social media as a tool to enhance popularity) that they have stood by since their time in previous acts His Hero is Gone, Copout, and Deathreat to name a few. Informed and influenced by D-beat legends such as Disclose and Discharge, Crust akin to Amebix, and American hardcore, Tragedy's previous records were known for their ferocity but also for their melodic undertones. Those particular undertones are ever present on "Darker Days Ahead," which sees the band incorporating even more slower sludge reminiscent of Neurosis and the dark, metallic sound of Sacrilege with what sounds like an underlying appreciation for late 70s Dark Wave as well. This is particularly noticeable in tracks like "The Grim Infinite" that transitions rapidly from a slow, melodic hymn to a rapid-fire punk onslaught. Galloping drum beats reveal that the band still intends on crushing listeners with punk fueled energy, but the guitar tones present on the album pay such homage to English metal and post-rock that one can't help but listen calmly to the smooth interplay of guitar and bass, making "Darker Days Ahead" one of the more listenable Tragedy records.
Don't be fooled, this record is in no way shape or form demonstrative of Tragedy calming down or attempting to adjust their sound for increased popularity, it simply is a welcomed experimentation that perfectly fits the bands influences and musical tastes. I for one find the band's more inclusive approach to songwriting (various tracks include lower tuning and guitar effects to create the sound of synthesizers) very interesting and brave considering the passionate following of the band among the punk rock community. My only complaint with the record is that while the band captures the mood of darker tones so well, it doesn't quite capture the energy and intensity when certain tracks pick up in pace. The stale energy of "Power Fades" is in many ways exemplifies this missed opportunity to obtain higher musical quality by highlighting the contrast between two distinct moods. Simply put, the faster moments of various songs aren't intense enough to capture the listener and demand their attention, but this lack of contrast is simply a personal taste and not necessarily the band's intention on this particular record. "Darker Days Ahead" is in many ways an expected development for Tragedy who, since their inception, have never paid attention to current trends within punk rock but instead have set them themselves. As they have in the past, Tragedy is re-defining the limitations of crust and attempting to introduce a generation of kids to new musical influences, sounds, and landscapes. Will they heed the call? My guess is that most will considering how well respected Tragedy is. Many of them may put up a fight at first, wallowing over this record not being "Vengeance," but that is fine and in due time they will come to appreciate this record for what it is, a dark and hauntingly beautiful journey through the underbelly of the American underground.
8 / 10
* Tragedy will be playing Now That's Class on Wednesday, August 7th. Doors @ 9:00 PM*
- Joe