Artist: Death in June Album: Not Guilty and Proud

Year: 2002
Duration: 0:0-1

Not Guilty and Proud: A Critical Review of Death in June's Album

Death in June is a controversial British music project led by the enigmatic musician, Douglas Pearce. Their music is often classified as neofolk - a genre that draws inspiration from folk music, but also incorporates elements of post-punk, industrial, and experimental music. With a career spanning over three decades, Death in June has amassed a cult following around the world - but also has been accused of promoting extreme far-right ideologies. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at their 2018 album, Not Guilty and Proud, which has been hailed as one of their best works by their fans.

The album starts off with The Trigger, a haunting instrumental track that sets the mood for the rest of the album. It's a slow and brooding piece that sounds like it's coming from a distant place, with its sparse instrumentation and reverb-drenched tones. It's a great opener that captures the atmosphere of the album perfectly.

The next track, No Belief, features Pearce's distinctive vocals - a deeply resonant baritone that sounds like a cross between Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen. The song itself is a slow-burner, with a hypnotic guitar riff and understated percussion. It's a great showcase for Pearce's songwriting skills - he manages to be both poetic and ambiguous, leaving the listener to interpret the lyrics in their own way.

One of the standout tracks on the album is Punishment Initiation. It's a propulsive and eerie song that features a drum machine rhythm, chiming guitars, and Pearce's voice at its most desolate. The lyrics are cryptic but suggestive of some sort of violent ritual - Bleed them dry, the veins still alive. Blood and violence, punishment initiation. It's a dark and menacing track that will leave you transfixed.

The most innovative part of the album is probably the use of samples and sound effects. Pearce has always been interested in avant-garde art and film, and he brings this sensibility to the album. For example, God A Pale Curse features a refrain that sounds like a distant church bell ringing, adding to the overall sense of dread and doom. Similarly, The Dance of Life - To Shoot a Valkyrie features a sample of a helicopter, perhaps intended to evoke the violence and chaos of war. These little details add up to make the album a more immersive and multi-layered experience.

As a critic, it's impossible to ignore the controversies surrounding Death in June. They have been accused of using fascist imagery and promoting far-right ideologies, and Pearce himself has been linked to the white power movement. While it's true that some of their songs have been used by neo-Nazi groups, it's also true that Pearce has stated that his music is not political and that he rejects any association with the far-right. Ultimately, it's up to the listener to decide whether they want to engage with Death in June's music knowing this history.

Not Guilty and Proud is a powerful and haunting album that showcases Death in June at their best. The combination of neofolk, post-punk, and experimental influences make for a unique and immersive listening experience. While the controversies surrounding the band cannot be ignored, it's also clear that their music has touched many people around the world. Whether you are a long-time fan of the band or a newcomer to their music, this album is definitely worth a listen.

Not Guilty and Proud is a powerful and haunting album that showcases Death in June at their best. The combination of neofolk, post-punk, and experimental influences make for a unique and immersive listening experience. While the controversies surrounding the band cannot be ignored, it's also clear that their music has touched many people around the world. Whether you are a long-time fan of the band or a newcomer to their music, this album is definitely worth a listen.