Sal Abruscato former drummer with Type O Negative (RIP Peter Steele) has stepped out from behind the skins to embark on a new project; A Pale Horse Named Death. This project see’s Sal revealing himself to be a rather dark horse as he unveils he’s a decent singer as well as a fair guitarist.
Although APHND launched their debut album ‘And Hell will follow me’ in 2011 the album has the same grunge, depressingly-stark lyrics that pay homage to early 90’s bands like Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam and of course Type O Negative.
‘As black as my heart’ is the first proper track on the album which with its grungy mid-tempo riffs sets the scene nicely for the rest of the album. ‘To die in your arms’ is the next song up which even with the macabre, gothic lyrics there’s still a good catchy sing along chorus.
‘Heroin train’ is one of the stand out tracks on this album for me, with its very upfront, direct lyrics about the darker side of life. Similar to Lou Reed’s narrative style, this song describes someone’s spiralling descent into heroin addiction. ‘Devil in the closet’ is another good track with slow heavy guitar riffs that feel like you’re wading through treacle, this song reminds me of Metallica – ‘enter sandman’.
‘Cracks in the wall’ follows proceedings with a lighter guitar picking an almost funereal march throughout and a heavier drum beat that mixes things up a bit. This is another song that has some sing along potential. ‘Bad dream’ sounds like it’s destined to become the theme of a cheesy horror movie with its sampled screams and heavy, repetitive industrial loops. ‘Bath in my blood’ is an up-tempo, fiery track which I can imagine a live audience going crazy for.
‘Pill head’ see’s the return of the slower murkier guitar riffs and the melancholy, brooding lyrics. ‘Meet the wolf’ uses wailing guitar riffs and utilises synthesised keyboards to keep the album feeling fresh. If I had a criticism of the album it would be that both these songs drag on a little too long for my liking. ‘Serial killer’ couples dark lyrics with an upbeat tempo with a little more verve than usual and makes for another catchy, potentially successful grunge track.
‘When Crows descend upon you’ is another great track on this album with an infernal quality. This anthemic song starts with a solid, slow build, they then rev it up a couple of gears and we get launched into a heavier, up-tempo chorus. ‘Die alone’ is the closing track on this album, with a slow tempo and dirge-like riff, the morbid lyrics leaves you with a lingering sense of uncertainty and questioning, a deliberate and clever device.
A promising start for APHND, It’s not an album that you’re going to want to play on a daily basis, but if you’re feeling retrospective and you like your Alt Rock with a large helping of gloom, doom and despondency then this is definitely worth a listen.
Eleanor Knight
