SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: DEAD TIRED – HORNETS OF FALL

DEAD TIRED
HORNETS OF FALL
NEW DAMAGE RECORDS

Hamilton-based legends, Dead Tired, are back with their fourth release, Hornets Of Fall, and we couldn’t be more excited.

Mixing the sounds of ‘80s hardcore punk and a variety of different metal genres, Dead Tired has done their part in bringing these older elements to the modern music scene, giving us a fresh sound in the very overdone hardcore genre. Hornets Of Fall is an album where we see all of the band’s musical influences come to light. Title track “Edge of Entropy” shows us their punk roots, similar to the sound on their first effort, Dead Tired (2015), “Temper Boy” and “I See” tie back in to sounds heard on their sophomore album, Full Vol. (2019), and title track “Hornets of Fall” gives us a completely new sound, reminiscent of ‘90s industrial and nu-metal classics.

This record also has its fair share of features. You can hear the likes of Liam Cormier (Cancer Bats, AxeWound), Andrew Neufeld (Comeback Kid), and Chris Cresswell (The Flatliners, Hot Water Music) mixed in with singer George Pettit’s (Alexisonfire) iconic vocals; a trait you don’t see too often in alternative music genres, but that always creates a lasting impression when done properly (which this album has managed to do).

However, it’s not all super heavy. “Grey Business” and “The Pull” have a more melodic approach, the latter being a personal favourite and the perfect ending to an incredible album. With the familiar screams from Pettit mixed with fresh instrumentals, Dead Tired creates a 12-track masterpiece that you won’t want to miss out on.

Hornets Of Fall might just be Dead Tired’s best album yet, continuing on with their generational run you don’t see often with the hardcore genre. If you’re looking to expand your palette and want to branch out into the world of hardcore, this is a great album to start with. If you are an avid hardcore listener but don’t know about Dead Tired yet, what are you even doing? Get on it already.

Artist Links