Dead Hazards Deliver a Grit-Soaked, Pulse-Pounding Masterpiece With the Release of 'Saline'
- STAFF
- 21 hours ago
- 5 min read
By: Staff
A fearless, high-impact debut album, Dead Hazards ignites with raw intensity and sonic precision on Saline.
We recently came across Dead Hazards and their latest release, the album Saline, and we were immediately struck by the remarkable craftsmanship of this band. Their sound is not just inventive, it’s immersive, and we’re genuinely excited to share what we discovered.
We began our listen with the track “Rerouting,” and from the first moment, the band’s sonic identity is undeniable. The opening guitar chords announce themselves with a sense of urgency, a bold cascade of tone and distortion that immediately pulls you in. When the drums and vocals crash in together, it’s as if time shifts, there’s a shared momentum that lifts you into the track’s current, and the sensation is equal parts electrifying and enveloping. The drum work is especially gripping: clean, punchy, and assertive, yet simultaneously grounding. They drive the track forward with force while offering a strangely calming rhythmic foundation.
Vocally, the delivery is mesmerizing. There’s a dichotomy at play, a powerful, emotionally charged performance layered with a detached, almost indifferent edge. It’s as if the vocalist is pouring everything into the moment, while still holding back just enough to create a tension that resonates deeply. This balance of raw energy and restraint adds weight to every phrase.
As the guitars continue to churn, there’s a controlled chaos in their tone, distorted and aggressive, yet executed with finesse. The bass stands out in its own right, thundering below like an engine in motion, not only supporting the arrangement but defining its body.
That underlying heaviness provides a rich, dynamic floor for everything else to build on.
The vocals maintain their grip with extended phrasing and a vibrato technique that stretches across measures like a rope in a storm, pulling, twisting, and leading the ear with purpose.
The band’s cohesion becomes even more apparent as the song progresses. You’re not just listening, you’re being carried, swept up in a melodic undertow, where everything from guitar licks to percussion seems interwoven. There’s a sloping effect, a downward melodic glide, where vocals ride the curve of sound like a surfer catching a perfect break.
Then comes a breathtaking guitar interlude that reframes the track’s intensity. Here, the guitars take on a cleaner, almost meditative tone, intricate yet unhurried. The notes echo like signals across a vast distance, blending serenity with tension. When the bass rejoins, it rolls like thunder in slow motion, and as vocals return, there’s everything from explosive declarations to a softness that contrasts beautifully with the earlier intensity. The rasp and grit in the vocal tone remain, but they’re now polished with a clarity that reveals a world-class level of control. It’s a performance that feels honest and unrefined, yet technically masterful, and this duality becomes one of the track’s strongest qualities.
The drumming continues to impress, with fills that shift from loose, improvisational strikes to precisely timed bursts. In quieter sections, ghost notes add subtlety, while the overall structure still hits with the weight of a sledgehammer. It’s that balancing act between freedom and form, that gives the track its deep and unique dynamic range.
A second guitar interlude emerges later, leading into a full-band eruption that perfectly encapsulates the album’s ethos. The blend of soaring vocals with instrumental power is explosive without being chaotic, fierce yet fluid. There’s a strange serenity within the storm, a controlled demolition of sound that leaves you in awe. It’s rare to feel both adrenaline and ease in the same moment, but that’s exactly what Dead Hazards achieves here.
We moved next to “Remorse,” which opens with a drum sequence so heavy and expansive it feels like orchestral percussion recorded in a cavern. The drum strike placements circle around your ears with the drag and power of a slow-moving cyclone. It’s an overwhelming introduction, one that immediately locks you into the song’s orbit. From there, the vocals enter with drama and intensity, followed closely by a wave of guitars and bass that blend seamlessly. The chemistry within the band is undeniable. Every element moves in tandem, building a unified structure that’s as emotionally resonant as it is technically tight.
What also stands out is the dynamic between instruments. The interplay between vocals and guitar is captivating, with both seemingly reacting to each other in real time. The guitars shimmer with a ghostly clarity at times, while the bass almost stalks beneath them, driving tension. Drums hold it all together, never overpowering but always steering. There’s a haunted quality to this track, made even more compelling by the precise yet jagged instrumentation. It’s another high point on Saline that reinforces how refined and deliberate the band’s sound has become.
We wrapped our listen with “Excess,” and it proved to be a perfect closer. Dead Hazards keeps their momentum while evolving the sonic palette once again. The bass dominates from the outset, not in weight alone but in presence, it practically leads the charge. This shift elevates the guitars, pushing them higher into the mix and opening new spaces for them to climb. Vocally, the performance is untethered in the best way. There’s a free-falling energy to the delivery, as if each note is hurled into the air without concern for landing. The sense of urgency and unpredictability is gripping.
There’s a moment in the track when the guitar lines strike with such force and confidence that it feels almost like a declaration. Like a flag planted in defiance. The band is not just playing, they’re making a statement. And with every fill and progression, they reinforce their presence. Lyrically, the line about “no man taking revenge” stops everything in its tracks. It’s a gut punch, a rare lyrical peak that hits with the weight of conviction.
What also jumps out and continues to surprise is the use of electric violin throughout Saline. At times, it’s so seamlessly integrated that you may find yourself assuming it’s a guitar, until that sudden realization hits, and the instrument’s voice becomes clear. This unexpected choice adds a layer of enchantment to the album’s texture. The placement feels intentional but unforced, and the moment you recognize it, the listening experience takes on an entirely new dimension. It’s another bold, creative decision that sets Dead Hazards apart and solidifies their place as one of the most inventive new bands to watch.
Throughout Saline, Dead Hazards shows a mastery of their sound, blending emotion with intensity, technicality with wild instinct. The production is clear but not overly polished, allowing the grit to live in the mix. The vocals are powerful and nuanced, each line delivered with intention. The instrumentation is bold, immersive, and completely gripping.
Dead Hazards have created a debut that feels not only fully formed but visionary. Their voice is distinct, their execution precise, and their emotional reach undeniable. We definitely recommend the release of Saline
Saline by Dead Hazards is a fearless, genre-defying debut bursting with raw power and emotional depth.
Dead Hazards’ roots might be intentionally obscured, but their sound speaks volumes. Based in Greenwich, London, this anonymous project pushes boundaries with a genre-fluid approach that resists easy classification. Across their debut album Saline, they explore everything from folk and jazz to doom metal and progressive rock, all stitched together with a DIY ethic and fearless experimentation.
What makes their sound truly distinctive isn’t just the genre-blending, it’s how they build atmosphere. Electric violin often takes the place of traditional solos, while lighters, nature ambience, and even audio generated from artwork create unconventional percussive and melodic textures. Their influences are broad, but the result feels deeply personal, darkly cinematic, and grounded in a kind of cathartic chaos. There’s a tangible weight to their lower-register tones and a sense of emotional detachment that’s hypnotic rather than distant. Their use of modular, electronic-inspired composition techniques reveals a band with both artistic vision and technical awareness.
Dead Hazards may be anonymous for now, but the voice they’ve crafted is unforgettable. We can’t wait to hear more from Dead Hazards.
Make sure to playlist, stream, and share Saline by Dead Hazards.