Midnight – Hellish Expectations (Review)

This is the sixth album from blackened speed metal solo act Midnight.

Containing 26 minutes of filthy raging mayhem, Hellish Expectations is a furious record of blackened speed/thrash metal that’s hard to dislike. It’s charismatic and nasty, which is a great combination for this sort of thing.

The songs are short and infectious, lodging in the listener’s flesh with envenomed hooks that bite deep. Hellish Expectations is packed to the brim with grim rusted riffs, characterful snarled vocals, and songs that hit the mark. It’s primitive and raw, but boasts a songwriting skill that’s focused on catchy bursts of aggression. Apart from the opener, every song is under 3 minutes. There is no filler here, and the songs get in, do their damage, and get out. Each song is lean, covered in spikes, has a belligerent attitude, and brings the headbanging. I can imagine this stuff going down a storm live.

Midnight’s punk-fuelled speed metal embraces the template for the style, but stands out simply by virtue of how good it is. This is an easy genre to be mediocre in, but Hellish Expectations highlights just why Midnight’s music is beloved by so many. Although never my favourite style, when it’s done well like it is here, it’s hard to deny its effectiveness.

The next time I want to be kicked in the teeth over and over again, while still banging my head like a maniac, I know what I’ll reach for.

Very highly recommended for fans of the style.