Blacklisted
Heavier Than Heaven, Lonelier Than God

Does it make sense to buy (therefore support) hardcore in 2010 (but also in 2009, 2008, 2007, etc.)? This is a question I often ask myself. It's one of my favorite genres, and when I think of bands like Minor Threat, Unbroken, and Refused, I always think about how "pure" and "real" it was. It's thanks to these groups (active in different ‘eras’ anyway) that hardcore as I understand it has survived to this day. I confess that sometimes I wonder, seeing the bands of these years, if I am stupid to still listen to this music. If I got something wrong. Well, you also see today's pseudo punk / pseudo metal / pseudo "we mix hardcore with everything, even with electro pop because it's so cool" bands, right? Well, let's draw a nice veil over that; it's better.

Fortunately, however, there are bands like Blacklisted. Albums like this "Heavier Than Heaven, Lonelier Than God" don't come out every day. In fact, let's say they don't even come out every year. This album in just 20 minutes sweeps away almost all today's productions; it was released in 2008, and in the decade 2000-2010, it is one of the few albums I found with a SOUL. With an extra gear. That shines with its own light. Basically, with the perk of coffee and the energy of chocolate (or is it the other way around?). They really surprised me; the rest of their discography (among albums, EPs, and various splits) is rather anonymous and flat.

"Heavier Than Heaven, Lonelier Than God" seems like an isolated case, which indeed shines with its own light amidst a more or less mediocre catalog. It might seem like an exaggerated and idiotic statement, but for those who have been listening to hardcore for a long time, this album is simply a gift from above. Not for the music, but for the LYRICS. Yes, it's the lyrics that make this album a masterpiece, creating a significant 'gap' with other bands (which, in terms of expressed themes, leave much to be desired). It's not an album to listen to in the car or while cleaning the house, because this work will leave nothing with you. If you can't get the lyrics, it might not be worth listening to. In their lyrics, there's truly a sense of 'purity' that is really retro and makes you long for the old times. I'm not including excerpts of lyrics because I would feel like an emo doing it (no offense to those who include lyrics in their notes/reviews), but since it might be helpful, here you go—music featuring lyrics from one of the most representative songs of the album: "Memory Lane".

The album in question was released by Deathwish, very likely the last hardcore label in spirit that we have left; may God protect it.