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I really like the previous work of TheStompcrash: “Directions” (review here) The title of the album
was pretty significant because the band was taking different paths in
almost every song, and I really like that. They were combining
different moods; some tunes were darker, while other songs were
pretty melodic. They showed some great versatility in their sound
combining different styles of dark music. I was thinking then: “This
song is more oriented to Post Punk; this other song is more like Dark
Wave, etc., etc.” As I said before, I really like this mixture of
different textures in their music. “Love From Hell” is truly a
definitive album for The Stompcrash; their music is a pretty rich
mixture of different elements, but this time they have achieved an
homogeneous sound, their music style is totally consolidated and
perfectly defined. This is a refreshing option in the Gothic Rock
scene of today, and they have originality. And here you have it: This
unique approach of The Stompcrash to the Gothic Rock of The New
Millennium, it is spiced with the elegance of Dark Wave and it has
some mild touch of 80’s Rock in some of their songs; due to the
sound of the keyboards and the guitar work.
The opener song “love
From Hell” is the best example of everything that I have mentioned
before; the keyboards are on fire here, it made me think in some 80’s
Rock, while the guitars and the rhythm section are creating this
turbulent and electric Gothic Rock. This is hot stuff! “Jack”
slows the pace a little, going to mid-tempo rhythm. But it sounds
really strong with the addition of melodic chorus and great rhythm.
“Duality” is another pretty solid song, it is mid-paced and is
adorned with piano chords; this piano sounds great when mixed with
those rocking guitars. “The Dancing Ants” is a bewitching
dark-seductive song with female vocals; this one is quite a delicious
song. “The Last Goodbye” is Gothic (80’s) Rock with capital “R”
and it sounds really good. The following song; “Tonight” is
introspective and deep, but they are keeping almost the same pace of
the previous track; and it doesn’t feel like a huge contrast
regarding to the previous track. “Bloodnever” is oriented to the
Post Punk music, and it has great melody. “Follow you” is really
catchy, with contagious rhythm. “On The Seventh Floor” is totally
acoustic sound, at the beginning it sounds like some kind of Neo Folk
tune, and then enters the piano and the rest of the band; this song
is about nostalgia and it has feeling and temper. “Hunger” takes
us back the Post Punk-Gothic Rock style. “The Pretender” is the
final track, and I like when the final track has the same intensity
and energy as the opening one.
This album is a pretty refined blend of
different musical textures, the result is this stunning music created
by this pretty original Gothic Rock band; they have their own
identity and their own charm. And they have to be proud of this work;
I’m pretty sure about it.
Daniel Olvera