The Hinderers is the first album from the American experimental death metal-band Daath. After a little research about Roadrunner’s new baby I found the meaning of this record on the band’s impressive website. I quote: "Restriction and attachment to lying and appearance for the sake of keeping the spirit earthbound. Of course we are only illustrating this idea conceptually and it does not reflect all of our personal views and beliefs. On a mental level it is the sum of all self-defeating views that keep us from rising above the norm. Metal with a goal, something to think about. The band uses the Tree of Death, a Kabalistic concept, as a roadmap. Each album is an aspect or node on the tree. Each area of the tree explores an adverse part of the mind of man. Daath`s goal is to explore each of these nodes or aspects. Within each node is another tree. Thus each album is a tree within a specific point, like a fractal."
The band announces this record as the first of 13 albums which will all contain 13 songs. Daath itself means "knowledge". The Hinderers was produced with help from James Murphy (ex- Death, Obituary, Testament), Andy Sneap en Colin Richardson, who mixed the album.

Overall, the tracks are fast and truly grabbed my attention starting with ‘Subterfuge’, which will be the first track to be released. I noticed that the keyboards have been an important instrument throughout the album. The band sure didn’t stick to one genre. I’ve heard electronic sounds, metal guitars and death vocals and even some eighties sounds as well. Variety is obviously a keyword too.

People who are open-minded about non-mainstream metal will like this album. It`s a good listen and a lot better than their indie-debut album Futility. I`m definitely looking forward to those twelve promised records.

Track Listing
01 - Subterfuge
02 - From The Blind
03 - Cosmic Forge
04 - Sightless
05 - Under A Somber Sign
06 - Ovum
07 - Festival Mass Soulform
08 - Above Lucium
09 - Who Will Take The Blame?
10 - War Born
11 - Dead On The Dancefloor
12 - Blessed Through Misery
13 - The Hinderers