Post War Stories ‘A Revolution of Hope’
A Revolution of Hope brings an entire world of sun-deprived, moody sonics, inspired by the winter isolation of living on the Isle of Man. The sound of Post War Stories, a three-piece rock band, proves to be melodically hard-hitting and sonically haunting. The feel of coldness coils in the immediacy of raw emotions. A Revolution of Hope doesn’t shy away from tackling difficult subjects. But the songs always have a sensitive, primal and grungy appeal that evokes the very thing that makes us all human.
“A Minor Victory” feels like a scream, a break, after enduring the unbearable. Even though the song speaks about hope and the end of winter or a storm, its moody, angsty edge recalls the pain and unexpressed emotions that are buried and repressed. While in the sonics, the mesmerizing recurrence of a spicy, electrified motif contributes to the darker theme that runs throughout the rest of the album. Depressive maybe, but every feelings in “A Minor Victory” are highly relatable.
Post War Stories’ sound remind you of Nirvana meets Marilyn Manson meets the Smile. They never lack merits, poetry and atmosphere in their music. However, many elements in the soundscapes are full of personalities. The cold, distant, yet fully exposed aesthetic is better than liquor to get you drunk. If you like one song, the odds are, you’re going to love all their songs.
There’s a bit of melancholia in their darkly satisfied soundscapes. A bit of grit and heart in their thought-provoking storytelling. They see the ugly in the world, but unlike those who ignore and turn away, they care enough to write a song about that. “Witches” the riff-driven song is an instant, massive hit. Probably one of the best songs in the album. Intense melodies meet goosebump-evoking lyrics meets lead singer’s confrontational vocals. The music video sees the execution of a witch and her baby. Though the crowds were indifferent toward the woman, when the commander turns to the baby, even the executioner refuses.
Similar to “Witches,” “Prophets” also bears the same “nerve-wrecking” quality, featuring a synth-coiled raging pulsation. The entire album seems to adhere to that level of confrontation and intensity in the melodies, lyrics, singing, riffs, and backdrops. The noise of electricity and technology blurs into the gorgeously haunting natural landscape. There’s so much of that rawness and openness in Post War Stories’ music. You just simply can’t turn away from them.
