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THE DEAR HUNTER Press Release, October 22, 2009 Press Release, September 25, 2009 The Dear Hunter proudly presents ACT III: LIFE AND DEATH. A continuum of the humanistic tale following an unnamed central character, ACT III: LIFE AND DEATH dives into the fractures of our nature--exploring generally darker subject matter than the previous two chapters of the Dear Hunter saga. At the core, the record examines the social landscape of war, set in a parallel universe during the time of World War One. As you delve deeper into the story, the album sifts through the heart and mind of its main character, known only as "the boy." He is thrust into battle at the height of the conflict, and encounters everything from an angel of death to his twin brother. With every song, a step in the boy's journey is represented. The album begins with the epic and haunting choir vocals of "Writing on a Wall," reflecting the cryptic message our hero sees written on a crumbled wall during battle. He is instructed to "come away...where the ground is red, and you need a mask to breathe." This chilling message summons the boy toward his fate, just as it heralds the listener to invest themselves fully in the listening experience that lay ahead. The powerful opening track serves as a call to arms for both our hero and the listener. The Dear Hunter, unbeknownst to many, is a self-contained operation, headed up by songwriter, producer, engineer, multi-instrumentalist, and lead vocalist Casey Crescenzo. With engineering duties behind the boards shared with guitarist Andy Wildrick, this opus was conceived, hashed out, and recorded entirely in the band's studio in Providence, Rhode Island. Having undergone several line-up changes in the past, the band finally cemented its roster during the previous touring cycle, finding permanent and dedicated members in Erick Serna (guitar), Nick Crescenzo (drums), and Nate Patterson (bass). The band pulled out every stop when it came to instrumentation, bringing in musicians to contribute live strings, woodwinds, horns, and even harps. It is apparent on first listen that the band continues to push their musical limits, stretching out with a new set of sonics, while still maintaining a signature palette which garnered much-deserved attention on albums past. After the blistering second track, "In Cauda Venenum," which will spark a hint of familiarity with longtime fans, the band proves themselves capable of standing toe to toe with the likes of a band like Coldplay with the sweeping and emotional "What It Means to be Alone." It was with a clear collective
psyche, and fresh inspiration that The Dear Hunter approached the
creation of ACT III, focusing directly on the record, and
cutting themselves out of reality for the better part of a year.
The result is an aural adventure, a refreshing sonic landscape that
challenges the listener without offense, offering a welcome escape
from the often mundane musical climate.
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