Review: Dark Divine Welcome You to the Grave with an "Undead Melody"
Artist: Dark DivineAlbum: Undead MelodyLabel: Thriller Records
You're walking through the dead of night and you can't help but feel like something is lurking in the shadows. Suddenly, you hear a howl... surely it's the wind, right? Then, you hear it... an eerie tune. It sounds like it's calling out to you like a siren song. Suddenly, you feel a rush like no other and you begin to move toward it. Before you're even aware, you're in the middle of a graveyard... and there's no way out. A light centers on a freshly-dug grave and your hair stands on end. You've fallen victim to the Undead Melody, but fear not.. for the ride has just begun. Welcome to the world that Orlando's macabre darlings, Dark Divine, have woven through their sophomore album, Undead Melody. It was clear from the beginning that something different, something mystic, lied within the pages of their story. With the release of Halloweentown, their debut EP, they had already amassed a near cult-like following and it's not hard to see why. They have toured with the likes of The Word Alive, Catch Your Breath, Parkway Drive, Beartooth, Killswitch Engage, I Prevail and so many more. They have also been placed on festivals like Welcome to Rockville, Sonic Temple and INKCarceration Festival. But perhaps their most impressive feat was having their debut headline tour (which featured labelmates Not Enough Space and Set for Tomorrow, along with Bailey Spinn and Save Us) which had most of its dates sold out or very nearly so. This at a time when there were a ton of other tours happening. But what stands out just as much is their connection to their fans --affectionally coined the Reaper Cult. Their music is a strange mix of heavy, spooky and whimsical but not enough to be campy. Their aesthetic is dark and fits the theme of the band perfectly. Their debut album, Deadly Fun dove deep into this sound and found something truly creative, in a world of copycats. But I don't think anyone was ready for what was next, even when it crawled out from the grave.
The album opens up with "Undead Melody," the title track which immediately grabs hold and starts to shake the listener so that they realize this is, not, in fact a dream. It's a callout to the fakes and a reminder that feeling "dead," is a much better feeling than those who claim to be alive. It's a reminder to be yourself and live your life how you see fit. Vocalist Anthony Martinez proclaims, "just follow me, if you're less than ordinary" and "never trust the living, they are dead on the inside!" The groove-laden riff under the chorus reminds you that you don't need flash to impress. This is pure, no-frills chaos in the best way. Through the next few tracks, you get a small taste of how diverse this band can be. Through "Midnight Masquerade" and "Fading Away," you get a feel for how perfectly-crafted the hooks on this album can be. While "Better Start Digging" just pummels you into the ground, with no remorse. Reminding you that "a deal with the Devil is a damn good time" and the cost that one must endure as a consequence. "Permanent," is a full-on, emotion-driven ballad and has one of the best, stripped back, bridges of the entire album -- next to the one in "Temporary Paradise," which is an awareness of the state of decay that society has turned into. Then, you've a sequel to their most popular song in "Halloweentown II: Welcome Home," which shows a love for Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas, and references The Pumpkin King by name. I'll be honest, when I heard that they were creating a sequel to the original... I was skeptical because, if you've heard "Halloweentown," you'll know why it's a fan favorite. However, this track has a heavier edge and even rivals the more playful nature of its predecessor. Fitting, then, that they decided to choose it as the first single for this album. The circus intro on "Freakshow," even despite the name, made me scratch my head. However, after hearing the rest of the track, it feels like we have Dark Divine as circus attractions, with Martinez playing the ring master. This song, as you might expect, is simply about taking time to express yourself, no matter how judgmental society can be. It's about taking every single thing that makes you "strange" and putting it on full display. I'm particularly fond of the synths on this track, toward the end. Then we have, to date, my favorite Dark Divine track, "Half Past Dead (Unbury Me)." Beyond the relatability of the lyrics, this track is perfectly crafted to display everything that Dark Divine has become. This particular track has a cinematic feel to it, especially in terms of the chorus. Whether or not it was crafted for a station like Octane, it feels like it demands to be heard from the first note to the very last. The fastest and grooviest track on the album comes in the form of "The Void," which pummels you relentlessly from the first second. I'd be interested to see if they bring this one out live, not only because I feel like it'd be a fan favorite... but there is an crazy high scream from Martinez toward the end. Full disclosure: I thought the band had an uncredited guest because I couldn't believe that he could hit a note like that. "Make Me Disappear" was the first taste of the album, without knowing it at the time. This track is dark, heavy and a perfect example of the band that they've crafted themselves to be. The album leaves off with "This Is Not the End (It Only Feels Like It)." This track is a reminder of how bad the thoughts in your head can affect you, but also a reminder that, no matter how dark it gets... there is always a light at the end.
I usually stray away from writing track by track reviews but this one truly deserves it. Not a single track, including "Sinfestation," a manifestation of lust in the form of a song, deserves to be left out. These guys have taken what was already a unique and fresh flavor and made it more potent. No matter the feelings you have, there is something for everyone on this album. So take a step into the dark, embrace your fears and fall prey to the Undead Melody. The album is out now on Thriller Records and can be purchased/streamed below. Additionally, they have been announced as support for Motionless in White on Leg 2 of the Sweat & Blood Tour. Get your tickets below!
WITH DAYSEEKER, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, + DARK DIVINE:FALL 2026:10/30 — Worcester, MA — DCU Center10/31 — Philadelphia, PA — Xfinity Mobile Arena11/3 — Raleigh, NC — Lenovo Center11/4 — Savannah, GA — VyStar Pavilion11/5 — Orlando, FL — Kia Center11/7 — Nashville, TN — The Truth11/8 — Peoria, IL — Peoria Civic Center Arena11/10 — Minneapolis, MN — Target Center11/11 — Omaha, NE — CHI Health Center11/13 — Milwaukee, WI — Fiserv Forum11/15 — Albany, NY — MVP Arena11/18 — Portland, ME — Cross Insurance Arena11/19 — Newark, NJ — Prudential Center11/20 — Pittsburgh, PA — PPG Paints ArenaGet tickets here: https://darkdivineofficial.com/pages/tour