Review – Aiden – Disguises

I have always had a lot of time for Aiden as a band, and have always keenly followed their progress over the years. They burst onto the scene as “the next big thing” in 2005, wowing everyone on that years Kerrang! Tour, and made a huge impression for me as they went along, releasing brilliant albums along the way and being unmissable live. Our Gangs Dark Oath was a vicious debut, and Die Romantic was an excellent collection of anthemic and catchy goth-punk rock songs. That, along with 2007’s essential Conviction, were their two finest moments, with the latter building on the excellent sophomore release and putting together a collection of songs that were expertly crafted and were great to listen to. They kept their edge, while slipping in some choruses to absolutely die for, and that couldn’t stop the listener from sing along to them.

With their fourth album, 2009’s Knives, they seemed to deviate away from everything that made them great, and as their popularity started to wane, it was clear that they were at a turning point as a band. Attendances dwindling at shows meant they needed to do something refreshing to save them.

I am pleased that with their latest offering, Disguises, they seemed to have done just that, and they seem to have turned the corner with style. As an album, it is everything that was lacking with Knives, namely it is instant, catchy, and back to the Aiden formula that we all know and loved in the first instance. Huge choruses, great musicianship, and memorable songs are the order of the day, and this is a really great reminder as to how much they have to offer still today, in spite of the critics and a lot of their fans moving on to other things since their arrival onto the scene all those years ago. They keep a fast paced and sinister edge throughout, with dark shadows looming over the songs. It is great to hear gang vocals from them once more, and there are moments here that make you want to punch your fist in time to the beat. As a big fan of their work, I was punching the air (metaphorically of course) at their return to form.

Although only a brief album, clocking in at around 30 minutes in length, it is a short, sharp burst of awesome songs. Opener Horror Queen (following intro The Devil’s Eyes) and Malevolent Conversion set the tone for what is to come, and by the time A Portrait of the Artist comes rolling into town, my faith in them all this time seems to have paid off. Anthemic, and so good, it is Aiden back to their atmospheric and driving best. The highlights continue with extended intro The Essence (which I swear contains a spoken word Gordon Brown political speech) bleeding into a dramatic Hysteria, which is one of the best tracks on Disguises. Walk Among The Dead comes towards the end of the album and is another essential Aiden track, before a haunting piano cover of Alkaline Trio’s Radio brings this album to its riveting climax. There is a lot to enjoy though across the album, and on first listen, it is safe to say that this is a much welcome return to their characteristic sound.

A welcome return to form from one of the hardest working, and at times, unluckiest bands on the circuit, whose live show is still unmissable, all these years on. Granted it could be a bit longer in length (considering that the 11 tracks include 1 cover, and 2 intro’s) but a great release none the less, and one that should keep them going for a bit longer! They truly deserve all the credit in the world for battling through the tough times, and for staying true to themselves, and most essentially, staying relevant, in spite of disinterest from the public and the industry.

8.5/10