THE DEAD CAN WAIT – In Lumine (2024)

Classic Hard Rock has been enjoying some kind of revival in recent times, fortunately with new acts and legendary bands still delivering quality music. However, only a few have been able to capture the real essence of the genre.
Additionally, many of us miss the days of an approx 40 minutes total runtime for an album. And that’s really all we need – quantity is not always quality and some of these new albums at 13 or 14 songs are just too long.
Both things are what Reading, UK based rockers THE DEAD CAN WAIT are trying to recapture with their debut album ”In Lumine”. The album brings back the ’80s hard rock / metal feeling with that British sound, the likes of Saxon, Maiden, Diamond Head, Praying Mantis, Dio, etc, as inspiration but with their very own sound.
Combining strong midtempo hard rockers, melodic metal, and ‘metal’ ballads, THE DEAD CAN WAIT, formed by experienced musicians from the local scene, delivers an album the caught your attention at first listen with a detailed clean production – a record five years in the making.

Perhaps a lot to do with that catching is the throwback sound that jump to the forefront right from the off.
The album opens with the track “No One Knows Your Name” driven by a galloping guitar riff before the drums bash their way in. I’m already reaching for the volume knob, louder is better! Ashley Stone‘s vocal delivery has a sort of surly-sounding snarl to them in points that fits very well with the fist-raising anthem behind it. The six minutes seem to fly by and maintain interest throughout. Great track.

Next in line is “Scorn“. This one is also a classy hard rocker and features an insanely identifiable standout chorus line. Before that, we get a heavier slower pace chugger ahead of a lighter tempo change before barrelling back down for the chanted chorus “Scorn“.
“Second Time Around” is the first ballad, that type of slow tunes where sugar is absent in favor of atmospheres, passionate vocals and clean vocals with good arrangements. Few bands write songs like this anymore.

Hitting track number four, “Paranoia“, crash in with its thumping start off, basslines at the forefront. The speed picks up and it’s a great foot-tapper and head nodder already. Again riffs chugging throughout keeping the foot and the head going with a catchy chorus. Stone‘s got the piss and vinegar snarl back and sounds great. A highlight.
“Misled” keeps things surging along in another heavy paced track chock full of engaging guitar riffage. Then “Into The Fire” is a more radio-accessible hard rock track with pulsating energy. What am I saying? Terrestrial radio doesn’t play rock music anymore, well, take notice, “Into The Fire” has a wide appeal, it’s catchy, sexy, and rocking at the same time.
“Gone” is the other album ballad, more to say a slow tune with muscle, grip, a strong midtempo melody and more than a nod to the ’80s.

Things wrap up on a high note with the band’s namesake track. The opening guitar riff draws you in closer as the other instruments join the charge. The captivating vocal delivery binds the package together as the neck starts getting sore from the head bobbing. Some awesome guitar soloing is contained in here as well, as it is throughout the entire collection.

THE DEAD CAN WAIT’s ”In Lumine” is a very good debut album. Tons of engaging electrifying riffs coupled with thumping basslines and pounding drum beats create some awesome Hard Rock / Metal anthems, and we find all here. Overlaying it all is the solid vocals, at times soft, at others snarling venomous deliveries.
Let’s hope this quintet gets the proper diffusion of their music as deserve to be heard by fans of the genre world-wide. We are here to that, so give THE DEAD CAN WAIT a chance, they are really good.
Highly Recommended

01 – No One Knows Your Name
02 – Scorn
03 – Second Time Around
04 – Paranoia
05 – Misled
06 – Into The Fire
07 – Gone
08 – The Dead Can Wait

Ashley Stone: Vocals
Mick Hare: Guitar
Steve McLoughlin: Guitar
Chris York: Drums
Andy Rowe: Bass

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