Parisian quartet Hangman’s Chair release their seventh full length album titled “Saddiction” and settle their position in the realm of dark sounds. Hangman’s Chair started as a sludge/doom metal band, but over the years, they have incorporated more melody, atmosphere and emotional depth into their music. “Saddiction” continues this evolution, blending guitars with deep vocals, and an emphasis on mood. Having the experience of hearing Hangman’s Chair for the first time, I must say it was quite a gorgeous trip. Given that my all time favourite band is Type O Negative, I was pleasantly surprised to hear influences of their sound on the album’s first track, “To Know The Night”. Their dark, ambient like undertones match beautifully with their eloquent compositions and bring an ice cold edge to the tone. Lyrically, “Saddiction” explores themes of loss, addiction and despair with an almost poetic touch. While some metal bands rely on aggressive lyrics, Hangman’s Chair takes a more introspective and emotional approach. This makes the album feel more personal and relatable, even if the themes are dark. Overall, “Saddiction” is a deeply moving album that showcases Hangman’s Chair at their best, in my opinion. The darkness of this record is truly unmatched and I find myself going back to it time and time again, reminiscing of the goth-doom era. This is definitely an album worth a listen and I would say it has to be the band’s highlight, like they have finally found their perfect matching roots and sound.
♦ 9/10
Christina X
