This is one of those cases where the internet serves 100% its purpose in the music business and that is to promote new and unsigned bands. This is the situation for the German based band LAST HANGMEN who took the bolt and wise decision to give the prime promo release for free via myspace. I strongly believe that -at least for new bands- this is the best way to promote new music and spread your word around. During these days of economical crisis giving stuff for free can be a great publicity push!

THE LAST HANGMEN was formed in 2009 and without losing time got into the rehearsing studio and put up three tracks featured in this promo release. Even though the musical genre is described as melodic Death Metal the actual result was more than I expected since it did not follow the same ol' recipes. "Cloak And Dagger Operation" is the opener that grabs the listener by the throat after the short keyboard intro. The Heavy Metal guitar riff deals with the melody while the Black Metal-ish vocals deal with the aggression that to some can bring to mind bands like DIMMU BORGIR or even the latest CRADLE OF FILTH. The track is diverse with many tempo changes (no it is not progressive Black Metal) and a basket full of guitar riffs. The presence of the keyboards could justify the term symphonic Metal in the music description but fortunately their contribution is minimal keeping the overall aggression in tact. Next, is "The Hypocrite" that earned the lion's share of my listening time; the double drum pedaling enhances the general heaviness while the main guitar riff joins the vocals in the melodic backbone that underlines the influences from the great Gothenburg scene. These know how to use the double guitar harmonies and obviously they have their degree from the MAIDEN college.

The promo closes with another guitar driven song entitled "Crash Course Dying". The opening riff along with the not-that-Black-Metal vocals reminded of the early works of SOILWORK and THE HAUNTED giving me the reason to headbang! Again the guitars are in the spotlight with great work in the background that will grow in you after some additional CD spins.

The only downside in THE LAST HANGMEN's music is the single sided vocals that take the second role behind the guitars. And for a new band the vocals play a significant role when diversity and originality is the ultimate goal. On the other hand this is just the band's first promo release and there are great potentials here that just need to time -and rehearse- to be fully deployed! So, visit their myspace, give them a listening chance (after all is for free) and buy the promo CD to support them in the first steps.