Dying Light – Far From Life

Dying Light

Far From Life

by Will Travers at 25 April 2022, 6:43 PM

New Jersey… I’ll be honest, I know the square root of absolutely sod all about the state. But I do know that 5 guys over there are putting together some, by all accounts, powerful music influenced by the eighties and nineties metal scene. Who are these guys, well they go by DYING LIGHT (not to be confused with the computer game!) and their album “Far From Life” has already drawn up some pretty rave reviews, so let’s get into it. The artwork is a bit yin & yang but you know what, I find it striking and something a little bit different!

“The Cycle” opens the record, providing a powerful introduction. The track is full of a dominant driving riff pattern and rhythm, complemented by Jeff’s domineering vocal performance. It just cuts through everything, and it has made my hairs stand on end. If this is our first glimpse, then I can’t wait to see what is going to come. “Far From Life” is the titular track and continues driving the record with just outstanding performance from everyone. If there are some bands out there that are a little bit smoke and mirrors, or even have some elements that are a little bit, what’s the best way to describe it? Shy? Like they disappear into the tracking, still there and providing the structure but not in the spotlight. Well, there is none of that here, with the entirety of the group smashing their performance out the park.

“Darker Fear” is somewhat of a pseudo ballad, seemingly crying out to some romantic partner of sorts. But the vocal harmonies throughout are mesmerising, and the guitar breaks are divine. If you’ll excuse the pun, it strikes a chord deep within me and has left me feeling melancholy… But those feelings soon subside, as the record rolls through “Cry Out” and into the UTTER FILTH that is “Mercy” seriously, just listen to that introduction and tell me it doesn’t instantly raise your pulse and get you ready for a scrap. I know what is hitting my rugby pre match playlist! Also, when I shouted my partner to come in and have a listen to this track, our lovely new puppy came to, and he listened intently with a slightly confused gaze and cocked hear, proof that DYING LIGHT transcends the boundaries of species… The final track I want to hone in is “Sweet Death” now, I thought that this could go one of two ways, either a sweet and delicate piece that is some sort of hat tip to welcoming death’s embrace, or a defiant ‘FUCK YOU’ into the face of death. It appears that the latter is the case. It is hard hitting and just superb throughout, really a tagline for the entire album.

Overall, did I like this? No, I fucking loved it. It is something that has been missing from my life for a while now, and I didn’t even know it. It is somewhat nostalgic, harking back to my early introduction to music as a child, but I am absolutely in love with DYING LIGHT and I cannot wait to see what comes for them next!

Songwriting: 10
Originality: 10
Memorability: 10
Production: 10