Review: D-A-D – Speed of Darkness
AFM Records (October 4th, 2024)
Reviewer: Grant Foster
There’s a tendency for fans of bands who achieved longevity to want new albums to replicate a sound, or a feeling of a time or release from earlier in their careers.
In the case of the crazy Danes D-A-D this may well be their third and fourth albums, ‘No Fuel Left For The Pilgrims‘ and ‘Riskin’ It All‘.
But they’ve never been one to rest on their laurels.
Fifth album ‘Helpyourselfish‘ was a thick slice of sludge rock with one eye on the grunge craze that was sweeping the rock world back in 1995.
Since then there have been another seven albums all different, yet all recognisable as D-A-D.
Mainly I’d suggest because of two things. One is the unmistakeable vocal of Jesper Binzer. Part Bon Scott, part Town Crier, but with a penchant for quite incredible and amusing lyrics.
Secondly is the signature ‘cow punk’ guitar sound. Evident on hit song ‘Sleeping My Day Away‘, it’s the sound of Clint Eastwood’s Man with No Name, if he ever picked up a guitar.
Their last album was a favourite in this household.
And now we have ‘Speed of Darkness‘.
And is oh so typical in the world of D-A-D we have another completely different beast to mull over.
Opener ‘God Prays To Man‘ swaggers and grooves like a drunken prostitute in Amsterdam. A pretty cool start. That raw sound, part Stones, part High Voltage AC/DC.
They couldn’t have nailed that sound throughout could they?
No, because that’s not how D-A-D do things!
Second up is the lead single, ‘1st, 2nd & 3rd‘. More modern in its approach, but catchier than a dose of crabs from that Amsterdam stripper. Stripped back in the verse, it explodes into life as it approaches the chorus’s.
‘The Ghost‘ is the band at their most wistful. Just a hint of The Cult wrapped in that cow punk guitar of Jacob Binzer, it’s a tune made for rock radio.
They aren’t afraid to touch on the complete mess that the world is in on ‘Speed of Darkness‘, the title track. ‘If the world needs a washing, let it rain.’ Part lament, part full on and with a tasteful guitar solo, it adds another string to the very large repertoire.
Jesper gets very reflective on ‘Head Over Heels‘. A true love he could never quite catch. This type of song Jesper has explored on his recent solo albums and with the D-A-D full stamp, it’s stays the right side of being just another ballad.
You can’t beat a good chug. ‘Live By Fire‘ does just that, but it’s never boring. D-A-D are it seems almost incapable of doing boring due to the twists and turns of the vocal melodies.
The mellow side of D-A-D is something they excel in and have got better and better over the years. ‘Crazy Wings‘ is the finest example of this. You may think you have heard it before, but not of this quality.
Did I even mention this is a double album of 14 songs? No?
‘Keep That MF Down‘ tackles the subject of free speech. ‘’A small flame of hope is kept alive by gagging the soul.’’ Musically, it rides on a soul infused chorus, aided by some suitable female backings.
There’s always a curve ball. ‘Strange Terrain‘ is it. Sounding like a 70’s blues Sabbath guitar riff aided and abetted by Zak Wylde, it allows Jesper to wonder about war. ‘’Every day’s an execution and then I rise again.‘’ It’s a groove laden right turn to what has gone before but all the more enjoyable for it.
I’m not moved by ‘In My Hands‘. But everyone is allowed one bad apple on a tree that bears so much fruit, right?
Drummer Laus opens ‘Everything Is Gone Now‘ in ferocious fashion and we’re back on track. Reminiscent of the No Fuel era it drives and riffs mightily.
The simple but catchy melody line in the chorus of ‘Automatic Survival‘ is a trademark that really should be patented.
If ‘Waiting Is The Way‘ is the answer, then I need to know the question. A barn burner of a song.
Proceeds are bought to a close with ‘I’m Still Here‘. As much as this electric version crackles emotion, I’d wager an acoustic version would bring the house down.
So how fast is the ‘Speed of Darkness‘ anyway?
I’ll leave the final word to Jesper Binzer – “It’s so much D-A-D – and so much better!”
He’s not wrong
Tracklist:
01 – God Prays to Man
02 – 1st, 2nd & 3rd
03 – The Ghost
04 – Speed of Darkness
05 – Head over Heels
06 – Live by Fire
07 – Crazy Wings
08 – Keep That MF Down
09 – Strange Terrain
10 – In My Hands
11 – Everything Is Gone Now
12 – Automatic Survival
13 – Waiting Is the Way
14 – I’m Still Here
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