Music Review: A Pale Horse Named Death - And Hell Will Follow Me

Drummer and co-founder of Type O Negative (RIP Peter Steele) and current member of Life of Agony, Sal Abruscato has stepped out from behind the kit to create a project like none other that he has been involved in. The "band" is called A Pale Horse Named Death and it is no more than an entire solo project conceived, written, produced, and performed by Sal alone. It is a pretty solid piece of dark, edgy rock. It reminds one of the darkest tunes that Alice in Chains ever turned out crossed with some of Type O Negative's dark, gothic edge, all while sounding pretty fresh.



And Hell Will Follow Me is an interesting beast. It is a dark excursion of surprisingly blunt execution. The music is infectious in a depressing fashion while the lyrics tend towards the more straightforward. Sort of like Lou Reed and Warren Zevon in their story telling style. The music doesn't break down any doors, but darn it if I don't dig it.

I must be honest and say that I really do not know all that much about Sal Abruscato. I know he was in Type O Negative through the Bloody Kisses album and since has been with Life of Agony, but I was unaware of his engineering prowess away from the kit. Also, I never really thought of him much as I never cared for Life of Agony and did not follow his career closely after his departure from Type O Negative. With that said, this album is something of a revelation to me.

A Pale Horse Named Death is an album that deserves attention. It is one that may not seem all that special at first glance, but once you get past the surface you will find an album that is filled with passion, emotion, energy, and is backed by a skilled artist who may just now be letting the world see the extent of his skills.

I love the dark aura that surrounds the music, the eerie melody that infects many of the choruses, the gothic grunge of it all. It takes me back to the glory days of Alice in Chains while not being a mere copy of what has come before.

Like your music dark and catchy? Looking for something familiar yet fresh? Give this a spin.

Recommended.