Hearts of Black Science - The Ghosts You Left Behind

Hearts of Black Science are a band whose name sums them up quite nicely. They dabble in electro beats set to the sound of deeply emotional and often sombre sounding lyrics and music. Having formed a few years ago in their native Sweden, Thomas Almgren (synths, programming and beats) and Daniel Anghede (Vocals, guitar and Bass) had come together after various other bands/projects had finished. The childhood friends left everything and everyone behind to go write and record this album in an abandoned power plant outside Gothenburg. Prior to the band taking off, Almgren had been heading in the direction of horror movie producer and this penchant for harnessing the darker side of life is obvious in his music as well. Knowing all this it is not hard to see how a bleak and lonely landscape came to form much of their sound and the album’s feeling.

This album isn’t something that will grab you instantly, but if you like the moodiness and darkness of the likes of Joy Division and Depeche Mode then Hearts of Black Science are worth checking out. You have to let the music take hold of you, and allow yourself to be lost within the dark melodies that are woven throughout. ‘Snowfall’ and ‘Revolver’ set the pace for the album early on and you quickly get a feel for what to expect from these. The pace does tend do develop at points, particularly during ‘In A Park’ which sounds like a mix of New Order and Bloc Party, but at the most bleak. This song along with the first single, ‘Empty City Lights’ liven things up a bit with trance like keyboard parts which notch the tempo up, but are still backed by the slow and melancholy vocals from Anghede.

‘Driverlights’ gives the vocalist a chance to shine, being the most up-beat feeling song very much in the Depeche Mode style.

Keyboards and drum loops are set against quieter acoustic guitars, creating a blend of simple acoustic melodies and vocals enhanced by the use of the programmed beats and effects. It’s this fusion of styles which makes the band stand out. The styles compliment each other; the bleak keyboards and synth backing create the atmosphere, but never does this drown out the bare bones of the songs with noise.

This may be one to steer clear of if you’re sat alone in a dark room with only a razor blade and the Samaritans phone number to hand, as it may just tip you over the edge. However if you like dark, deeply emotional tunes which above all create a feeling, then Hearts of Black Science are worth seeking out.

track listing

1. Snowfall
2. Miles
3. Revolvers
4. Walking With The Sun
5. To Kill The Ghost You Left Behind
6. Empty City Lights
7. In A Park
8. Fading Evening Star
9. Driverlights
10. Serene
11. Silver