After Dark
The Resurrection EP
5.5
Google provides yet more entertainment if, when searching for information on the band in question, you mistakenly type the phrase “after dark band” in the search field and read the first link’s description: “the band has been established 12 years, performing live music at weddings, celebrations, parties, birthdays, retirements, corporate events….” Not quite a description that befits a sludge metal quartet, huh?
Though New York’s After Dark are pretty ordinary, the five songs found on The Resurrection EP are decent exercises that utilize the gritty, muddy sound that permeates much of the Southern U.S. Consequently, AD can be grouped in with bands like C.O.C., Down, Crowbar, Eyehategod, Stonecutters, et al, since their material contains similar attributes, even if the individual songs vary to a reasonable extent. “God of the New Flesh” is overly groove-oriented, and the gravelly vocals do indeed fit the instrumentation to a tee. Occasionally, however, vocalist Alex Dementia will parallel Luke Easter (Tourniquet) too much – especially during the bluesy, lead-strewn “Suspiria” – which is certainly not desirable. Upping the tempo on “Lost in a World of Ghosts” and “Blood Horror”, The Resurrection ends on a higher note than it began because the driven nature of the four-piece manifests itself most fully near the close.
Admittedly, After Dark are average, and are also far from being forerunners in the subgenre. At times The Resurrection feels more like a rehash than an original effort, and as long as they avoid mirroring the forefathers on the next go-around, I’m convinced they’ll fare better. As it is, they have a lot to work with and work on.
