Hopes Die Last
Six Years Home

The full length album by the Rome-based band Hopes Die Last is here, following their fabulous EP "Your Face Down Now," which contained only five tracks but clearly showcased the compositional qualities of our guys. Under the wing of Wynona Records, Hopes Die Last have created this first true album, albeit with a slightly different lineup since Nick, the former (and I would add, amazing, as anyone who has heard him knows) screamer, left the band to join an Italian pop band (Broken Heart College), which calling ridiculous is truly a compliment. In his place, Daniele has joined, who is also very good.

The quintet in question has been through several tours, including one in America, and those who know them well know how hard they've worked to break through and know how devastating they can be live. Call it Post-hardcore, call it emocore, whatever it is, they do it damn well. If "Your Face Down Now" impressed me, this is surely the album of their consecration; The technical qualities of the individual members are enviable, especially the guitars, always powerful, decisive, and lively, play an essential role in the album. The clean vocals are entrusted to Becko, the true spearhead of this band from the start. Honestly, I don't think I've ever heard a voice like that in the emocore field, and it's not just hearsay; you'll hear and judge for yourselves. The whole thing is accompanied by an imposing and precise rhythm section.

Obviously, Hopes Die Last take inspiration firstly from Underoath, a key group in this genre, mixing metalcore influences and also revealing a(n) easy listening nature in the more melodic parts of the tracks. All tracks are, in their complexity, fluid; we find more melodic and catchy songs like "Stuck Inside My Head", truly beautiful, especially the devastating beginning and guitar riffs that never let down, accompanying the entire track. "Some Like It Cold" is perhaps the simplest song on the album, but undoubtedly one of the best with a gripping chorus that will touch you deeply, repeating throughout the track. Looking into more elaborate songs, we can speak highly of "Ever The Same And Always Will Be", which starts with guitar riffs accompanied by a pounding drum and flows into alternating vocals of the two singers, truly powerful and emotional. Another beautiful track is "Good Mourning, Honey", which is perhaps the most complex and disjointed, at times it feels like listening to Underoath.

There are other noteworthy songs on the album, like "Under This Red Sky" with a Hawthorne Heights-style intro and a spectacular follow-up, reminiscent of one of their old and best hits "Tempus Vincit Omnia", speaking of the band's hits, here is a re-recorded version of "Call Me Sick Boy", probably their most famous song. Following that, "Consider Me Alive" a very touching and introspective ballad will cradle you into the HDL-branded world.

The production is nothing short of perfect, handled by Daniele Brian Autore of Vanilla Sky, who took care of the production and mixing of the album. In short, these 5 guys have long seemed like the only REAL answer to the post-hardcore scene across the ocean, and I don’t exaggerate when I say that this band lacks nothing, and I repeat, nothing compared to the praised and celebrated bands from the USA, indeed, this album might silence half of the emo bands circulating in America, which are idolized because obviously, being born there is a whole other thing.

I invite you to listen to the album in its entirety; you will not be disappointed. Meanwhile, I’m adding two samples so you can get an idea of what these guys have to offer. And kudos to Wynona for betting on them, an excellent choice!

P.s: I also recommend listening to the EP "Your Face Down Now" to realize that if Nick were still in this album, I don't know what devastating stuff would have come out :)