Hidden Hands of a Sadist Nation marks the third album of Darkest Hour. This is a nine-song set compiled in just little under a month from January 20th to February 16th of 2003 where Darkest Hour invited their friends to join them in the making of this album. Hidden Hands of a Sadist Nation includes performances by some of Sweden's darkest metal wizards, Tomas Lindberg (At The Gates); Peter Wichers (Soilwork); Anders Bjorler (The Haunted); and Marcus Suneson (The Crown).

The final outcome of this nine-song set is, at times extremely tantalizing and at other times very repetitive. "Verities Aequitas" is most definitely the best stand on this album with a slow intro developing a haunting melody as it progressively changes tempo. It tells a story instrumentally, intensifying with piano and classical guitar licks producing a classy song. Both Kris Norris and Mike Schlebaum deserve applause for this extraordinary piece of work.

Due to the genre of music that Darkest Hour belongs to, the rest of the tracks on Hidden Hands of a Sadist Nation sound entirely different from "Verities Aequitas". "Accessible Losses" is a another good song that illustrates a story with machine gun drumming by Ryan Parrish and should be a neck-breaker at their live shows. "The Patriot Virus" is by far their fastest piece, highlighting a great intro, getting faster as the song progresses. It too should be very interesting live.

"Seven Day Lie" is another barn burner with sharp guitar rips. The ferocity of John Henry's roars really ignite this particular piece. "Pay Phones and Pills" is musically one of the best chaotic pieces I have heard in a while. Unfortunately, the vocals are some what muffled out by the music. The remainder of the songs like "Oklahoma", "Marching to the Killing Rhythm", "The Misinformation Age" and the opening track "The Sadist Nation" incidentally sound the same with indefinable yelps by John Henry on vocals. These songs just never seem to take off nor build to a crescendo.

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Darkest Hour
Hidden Hands of a Sadist Nation

Released: May 20, 2003
Origination Year: 2003
Time: 56:06
Tracks: 9
Produced by:Fredrik Nordstrom &
Patrik J Sten
Mixed by: Arnold Limberg &
Patrik J Sten
Mastered by: Gorin Finnberg at The Mastering Room
Style: Studio
Format: CD
Enhancement: None
Label: Victory Records
Website:
http://www.darkesthour.cc/

The Sadist Nation
Pay Phones and Pills
Oklahoma
Marching to the Killing Rhythm
The Misinformation Age
Seven Day Lie
Accessible Losses
The Patriot Virus
Verities Aequitas