The Haunted | Songs Of Last Resort | Century Media Records

 

The Haunted emerged from the Swedish metal landscape in the mid-1990s, built upon the legacy of melodic death metal and the collapse of seminal bands like At The Gates. Formed by guitarist Anders Björler and bassist Jonas Björler and joined by former Seance guitarist Patrik Jensen and At The Gates drummer Adrian Erlandsson, the band quickly distinguished themselves with a sound blending thrash precision and death metal intensity. Vocalist Peter Dolving completed the original lineup after a brief search.

The band's self-titled debut gained immediate traction for its unrelenting aggression, but it was 2000’s “The Haunted Made Me Do It” that defined their early years, earning acclaim for its blend of Swedish melody and relentless riffing. Over the years, The Haunted experienced a revolving door of vocalists and drummers, with Dolving, Marco Aro, and Erlandsson all stepping in and out at various times. Albums like “rEVOLVEr” (2005), “The Dead Eye” (2006), and “Unseen” (2011) marked stylistic shifts, while “Exit Wounds” (2014) and “Strength In Numbers” (2017) saw a return to a more aggressive form, particularly with the return of Aro and Erlandsson.

By the time of “Songs Of Last Resort”, nearly eight years had passed since their last studio release, marking the longest gap in their discography. The band returned with Marco Aro on vocals, Patrik Jensen and Ola Englund on guitars, Jonas Björler on bass, and Adrian Erlandsson on drums—completing a powerful and experienced lineup.

"Songs Of Last Resort" is a concise, aggressive statement that distills The Haunted’s primary strengths into 40 minutes of relentless thrash. The production, handled by Jens Bogren, is sharp and modern, with a controlled mix that accentuates the rhythmic drive without losing the intensity.

The album begins with "Warhead," the first of several tracks that operate with mechanical precision, driven by Erlandsson’s tight drumming and the chug-heavy riffs laid down by Jensen and Englund. The dual guitar attack remains a defining feature, but there’s a noticeable shift toward more direct and stripped-down song structures. There are moments of atmospheric pause, but they never undercut the force that powers the songs forward.

Vocally, Marco Aro sounds as dominant as he did during his earlier tenure. His approach here is consistent—gruff, measured, and perfectly suited to the band’s driving momentum. There are fewer melodic detours compared to previous albums, and the focus remains tightly on thrash aggression with occasional flirtations with groove and death metal tempos.

The songwriting feels purposeful. Songs like "In Fire Reborn," "To Bleed Out," and "Hell Is Wasted On The Dead" are compact, each delivering a punch without overstaying its welcome. The brief, chaotic "Blood Clots" breaks the pace momentarily, while "Collateral Carnage" and "Labyrinth Of Lies" offer longer, more layered arrangements. Guest vocals by Björn Strid on "To Bleed Out" bring a slight variation in texture without deviating from the album's overall atmosphere.

Lyrically, the themes lean into war, self-destruction, and despair—subjects The Haunted have visited before, though this time there's a more direct and visceral tone. The album’s closer, "Feeding The Furnace," encapsulates this sentiment with a final outburst of tension and precision.

Despite the long hiatus, the band doesn't sound restrained or overly calculated. There's no attempt to redefine themselves—just 13 sharp-edged tracks grounded in their roots and performed with focus. "Songs Of Last Resort" is a lean, hardened return for The Haunted. It avoids overcomplication and delivers a concentrated dose of thrash metal from veterans who know their direction and stick to it (in your ass) with confidence.

Score: 8.8