The Summary Judgment Reviews:
Title: So Sedated So Secure
Artist: Darkest Hour
Label: Victory Records
Release Date: 8/7/01

Rating: 5 Skulls
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    • Reviewed by Redwolff (12/20/01):
    Gothenburg crosses over.

    I have never been a tremendous fan of the guitar-driven Gotherburg sound, but coupled with larynx-stripping hardcore vocals, it is finally accessible to me. Darkest Hour has put together a phenomenal album here, in my opinion, despite the fact that the lyrics are obliterated by the vocal style-- John Henry could be singing his grocery list for all I know, or care. There is a rumbly bass, two guitars and a spot-on double-bass drumming fiend in this band. Their sound is captured perfectly at 3:35 in "No Closer than a Stranger" as a wailing guitar glissando segues into acidic screaming, like the taste of vinegar cutting through the sweetness of your salad. (Dammit, should have eaten dinner before writing this.) A very unique and surprisingly powerful sound, one I can definitely get behind.

    I think what I love best about hardcore music is the raw aggression and energy of it. Darkest Hour has captured that energy while giving each musician a chance to show their prowess in a more traditional metal setting. The bassist drives the beat while the drummer is able to just go nuts. The guitarists have plenty of solos. On top of all this is the virulent singing, which for me keeps "traditional" from becoming "boring." The best songs, "An Epitaph," "The Hollow" and "The Last Dance Massacre" have plenty of interesting change-ups along with some almost stoner-metal hypnotic parts. This band is so tight that such an impossible mix is done with amazing skill.
    5 out of 5

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