WARNING! The videos embedded in this article contains profanity. Reader discretion is advised.

Davisburg, Michigan shoegaze rockers Greet Death have released their second full-length album, New Hell. I came across this band through a Facebook advertisement featuring the video for their single, “Do You Feel Nothing?”. The majority of my ads on Facebook are gaming/work-related, so on the rare occasion a band I haven’t heard of is advertised, I give it a quick listen. This is how I’ve discovered a few solid acts, such as The Obsessives and Coletta.

This music video caught my attention as it started in the outro of the song, and featured droning guitars layered under a riff that resonated with me. The meticulous, slow pace of this song is utilized all across the record and goes well with the tight production to ensure every instrument works well in tandem. “Do You Feel Nothing?” is an exceptional leading track off New Hell, as it encapsulates the theme of the album’s lyrics – apathy and a lack of sensation, as furthered by lyrics in other tracks, such as “Entertainment” and “Strange Days.”

The appeal of New Hell is in how no two tracks sound the same, despite the consistent methodical pacing of the songs. Immediately following the energetic “Do You Feel Nothing?” comes “Let It Die”, an acoustic acceptance of making mistakes. Two pieces on the record, “You’re Gonna Hate What You’ve Done” and “New Hell”, stretch for 9 minutes each, but are a compelling listen.

The former is segmented with different vocalists, with guitarist Logan and bassist Sam sharing vocal duties on the track, whereas the latter wraps a bow on the almost 50-minute album with plenty of instrumental breaks and progressions crafting a graceful exit.  “You’re Gonna Hate What You’ve Done” has multiple guitar solos and never feels like a chore to listen to for its long run-time.

The genre of Shoegaze is typically embodied by a strong use of guitar feedback, but its pacing can vary. New Hell is more akin to Hum’s drawn-out You’d Prefer an Astronaut, compared to Title Fight’s eclectic Hyperview. As the latter followed a band rooted in punk music, the former is likened to doom rock, where the lyrics are depressive and bleak. While some listeners may be alienated by music in such a dark tone, others may find solace in being able to relate to these lyrics, as it is a form of expression they would not find elsewhere.

A deep dive into the band’s Facebook page reveals that Greet Death took shape as Pines back at the start of this decade, and went under this name until at least 2016/2017 before the three-piece molded into Greet Death. The band is a long way away from their first show in 2011, as New Hell presents a strong understanding of musicianship and maturing. The band is currently touring the US, sans their drummer Jimmy Versluis. If there were a show in the radius of Chicago, I would be front and center for this act, as New Hell‘s moving, captivating songs make this a strong contender for Album of the Year, as I will certainly be listening front-to-back.

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