Hawthorne Heights – Zero

Zero, The Pledge Music funded concept album from Hawthorne Heights is described by the band as possessing “a theme that, no matter how hard life gets or how many seemingly insurmountable odds you may encounter, everyone can get a fresh start. This theme is set against a dystopian, war-ravaged background”

I feel I must state up front that I am rather dubious of concept albums as I find it can really limit the creative process, rather than just let the songwriting flow naturally. With such a specific narrative outlined by the band (as above), I’ll do my best to sum up the story here.

Album opener Skeletons Remain (Transmission 1) sets an atmospheric scene with acoustic strums, a haunting percussion back end and an opening lyric of; “Tomorrow has left me behind”. So far, so cryptic. Memories of Misery kicks the album into gear with a driving guitar riff complemented by JT Woodruff’s desperate vocals providing the backdrop of the war ravaged world and a people in need of help, all via dream.

Darkside tells the story of a last night spent together of two lovers, while Spark, Zero and Anywhere But here continue the story with our protagonist realising that the world as we know it has ended. Musically the driving guitars, soaring vocals and harmonic choruses continue providing the backdrop in an interesting, if not slightly predictable way. Hollow Hearts Unit changes up the musical pace, guitars are unplugged and the vocals are much gentler in order to tell the story of a young girl found injured and crying and the (ultimately futile) attempts to save her.

From here, we are introduced to the Coalition of Alternative Living Methods (or CALM) which represents the expected nameless evil corporate entity which runs the new world via a radio announcement proclaiming all will be fine and that Golden Parachutes will provide for their every need. The lyrical story takes a redemptive feel from here on in, while the music treads the familiar path already laid out with the possible exception of Put Me Back Together and its uplifting, almost bouncing guitar work.

Taken By The Dark, the penultimate track on the record return to the radio announcements, but this time it is seemingly an underground rebel group proclaiming that “you are not alone” and that a corporate monster has been destroyed. All that’s left is the final track Over and Out (Transmission 2) which is a surprisingly rocking finish. Easily the stand out song on the record featuring a killer guitar riff, shout-y verses and a fantastically haunting chorus.

Overall this album suffers under its own weight, and I can’t help but think if they had not limited themselves with such a defined vision for the record they may have ended up with something much more expansive and, well, better. Then again maybe I missed the entire point, but I just cannot say this was a particularly enjoyable listen.