Review - The Cruelty of Great Expectations

Source: Metal Temple

Melancholy stands firm in the hands of the Northern Irish H.F.C. or better known as HONEY FOR CHRIST. The darkness of inner thoughts and lost emotions has been lurking through the backs of this band’s minds since the late 80s and after a few self-released endeavours such as demos and EPs, it was time to let those morbid feelings loose under a full-length release and with label as the supporting backside. “The Cruelty Of Great Expectations” via the British Rundown Records is the new experience where Gothic and Doom Metal meet modern Heavy Metal.

HONEY FOR CHRIST, besides being somewhat melancholic, at least by the way of how I distinguished their music, was a little mysterious to me. The reason I kept that notion in mind was due to my opinion that not everything is as it seems on this album. At first it sounded like yet another Gothic / Doom Metal album in the veins ofBLACK SABBATH, PARADISE LOST, ENTWINE and THE PROPHECY, but I found it to be much more. I believe that only after taking this album apart, meaning listening to each and every song to a certain extent will reveal the true picture. If you lost me there, I can ease it up on you by directing you to the band’s lyrical themes. Merely most of the mystery settled on the words. When it comes to the music, I deem that you won’t have a hard time to comprehend what these guys played here.

The large majority of the main riffages on “The Cruelty Of Great Expectations”, especially on several songs as the epic“Failures Within”, for example, repeated time after time quite often. Nevertheless, I can’t deny that those riffages were heavy, groovy, chunky and enjoyable if you aim to bang your head or plainly take pleasure in the power those hold. Alongside those intense natured thick sounded riffs, HONEY FOR CHRIST amazed with high profile tranquil riffages that set a fantastic sensation. When I listened to the final track, my favourite, “The Final Transition”, I felt something of like an electric rush bursting through my skin. That was awesome and not entirely by the hammering distorted riffs. As an addition, the chorus of that song was only an appetizer in comparison to the riffs.

Nevertheless, there was another thing beyond the riffs as I was also astonished by the vocal line of Andy Clarke. His voice pattern also enhanced the mystery that I shared with you earlier. Out on the open Clarke addressed with his words with a touchy and emotive voice that shared some great vocalic rhythms. “The Day We Lost Everything”, above and beyond being lyrically impressive, presented Clarke as a singer that can flush out his emotions while giving a weird idea as if he is holding back something or binding expectations of what will come next. I conjured that the addition of a sort of cold dimension in his singing might have contracted that something different is about to rupture.

Although it seems that this album totally bought me, I have to partly disagree. The first thing that bothered me was the fact that HONEY FOR CHRIST didn’t even try to make use of a lead section. There was many of what I call “dead spots” that could have been upgraded by lead guitar notes or maybe touches of keyboards. I suppose that if there is an intent to play a sort of emotive music, a lead section must be secured. Moreover, there were a few tracks like “Liar Principle” and “Blame Corrupts” that had a nice direction but seemed empty after all. Don’t get this wrong, those two has strong potential, above all the former that has peak moments, but sadly their prospect wasn’t fully recognized I am afraid.

“The Cruelty Of Great Expectations”is something to think about. Listening to it carefully will bring an understanding of a little bit of what went in the mind of its creators. This album is recommended not only for Doom / Gothic Metal fans. If you have a thing for Heavy Metal in general, a British band is always suggested.

8/10 : Excellent

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Review - The Cruelty of Great Expectations

Source: Beowolf Productions

HONEY FOR CHRIST has been churning out their blend of Heavy Metal since 1998. They have put out numerous demos, EP's and vinyl but, "THE CRUELTY OF GREAT EXPECTATIONS" is the bands first full length debut. 

These guys don't play straight up Heavy Metal, they just use it to build off of. They have a lot of Thrash Metal influences, especially in the guitar sound along with blends of Gothic & Doom elements all through out. They take you through a slow melodic passage with the Gothic & Doom undertones and then slam you straight into a Thrash Metal frenzy. 

The vocals mostly fall in the melodic Gothic area, but some times they get a bit harsher. It have followed these guys through out the years and they have definitely excelled past all previous releases. Blend together the bands ANATHEMA, KATATONIA & SLAYER to get a glimpse of what these guys sound like. Support this very talented band!

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Review - The Cruelty of Great Expectations

Source: Blokner Reviews

A Northern Ireland band Honey For Christ, isn' t a newer name on underground metal area. They were formed in 1998 year, and till forthcoming period a group has released a coulple of Demos, 1 EP and one 7' Inch issue. " The Cruelty Of Great Expectations" is their actuelle and first full-length, where we can find 8 tracks in. HFC are on therithory of classic heavy metal, also influental by the 80's movement.

But in its sound we can find a plenty of dark metal traces and doomy atmospheres as well. Also some other genre's variants are present here and there, as a specially thrashy includings. A group has offered a specific arrangments views of present songs, and it's evident that members from band did a lotta' efforts that all things get funkcionizes according to plan. " The Cruelty Of Great Expectations" are consists of mainly equalizing materials, without leading song, but also without a weacker place in general.

7.5/10

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Review - The Cruelty of Great Expectations

Source: Metal Zone Productions 666

Ireland Metal band. Difficult for me to review a cd that has already three excellent known songs. The band is going to another direction, very dark into the lyrics close to gothic suicidal thoughts."The final transition" that should for me be the title as it discribes well how the guys are right now motionally. The cover tells it right! From Slayer to Metallica it moves around heavy thrash rythms to slow sad guitars...to please many. Just hope they will not die as Paradise lost did in their music.

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Review - The Cruelty of Great Expectations

Source: Music Waves

From geographical determinism in music ... Even when he forged the Heavy Metal, Irish (North or not) dump a fluid emotional kind of a bummer the darkness of despair prégnant. Take for example Honey For Christ ...Thirteen years of activism and several self-produced modest efforts later, we book with Great Expectations Of Cruelty The first jet carrying a pain that only those mineral lands flagelées by the winds and the blood of a tortured history can birth. Already the visual suicidal who would not déparaillé turd on a black metal depressive states at the outset that this is not the joy of living that will punctuate the heavy and crawling titles ("How The Dark Gets In" for name only one).

In fact, like a primordial for Black Metal, a Waylander for Folk or Darkest Era for metal epic, Honey For Christ develops a vision of the kind written in black ink of despair . Furthermore riffs dripping with sadness, like those of irrigating "The Day We Lost Everything", the main vector of this feeling is the singing of guitarist Andy Clarke, whose body takes the album clearly upwards, as during the long "Failures Within" which undoubtedly embodies the Everest of this album with its haunting melody.

From the sound, rough and thick in the power-trio format, everything here sounds a real authenticity. And if we may regret a rather short period, under a long wait for a decade, The Cruelty Of Great Expectations , however, a dedicated group, failing to renew the soil that serves as Fuel makes you want to follow through this way it has to inject a form of pain, demonstrating that in the heavy metal can not be reduced fortunately not with the musicians dressed in animal skins or plastic armor stitched in a store joke. Instead, Honey For Christ offers music adult true catharsis of a gray and hopeless life.

7/10

Chronicle written by Thor Childeric published on 05/28/2011

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Review - The Cruelty of Great Expectations

Source: Metal Team UK

13 years is a long time to wait for an album, but that’s just how long fans of Northern Irish band Honey for Christ have had to wait for a full length release. I’ll admit, I’d not heard of them before this one landed on my desk, and with a promise of ‘depressive metal’ and a bleak minimalist cover depicting a hooded figure standing by a doorway with only a small stepladder and a noose in shot, I was all set for some depressing and overtly bleak black metal in the vein of Lifelover or Thy Light. What you actually get when you press play though is not that at all, and is rather surprising.

From the first few bars of opening track ‘All Hope Was Strangled’, it’s clear that the order of the day is not at all black metal, but straight up heavy metal, as deep chugging guitars and a straight ahead drum rhythm charge in with plenty of purpose but little finesse. Andy Clarke is clearly a good singer in the very literal sense, but his voice feels out of place with the lyrics being sung. With such a clean vocal style and such an emotional and depressing subject matter, you need to have a certain passion or intensity to carry it off, to give the listener a chance to feel the despondency with you. Clarke does not have that, and delivers the lines with such a lack of conviction that it almost sounds as if he’s reading them off a lyric sheet at times. It’s not all bad news however, as Honey for Christ are good songwriters. Lyrically they vary wildly between excellent and downright clumsy, but there’s no faulting the musical composition, especially on the atmospheric ‘Another Way Down’ and the Gojira influenced ‘How the Dark Gets In’, which has some of the strongest lyrics on the album.

There may not be a great deal of refinement or virtuoso ability in the musicianship, but that’s really not needed here. The guitars and drums seem to bludgeon you into submission on the heavier tracks such as ‘Liar Disciple’, although both bassist Paul Mcrobers and drummer Chris Armstrong both get the odd opportunity to stretch their legs a bit. The stand out track is clearly ‘The Day We Lost Everything’, which whilst being one of the slower tracks on here, and also featuring a very familiar guitar riff (Dead Skin Mask anyone?); but it’s also Clarke’s most convincing vocal performance where you actually sense a feeling of loss and regret. One of the big surprises was final track ‘The Final Transition’, which whilst interesting is not the band defining song it’s made out to be. This does seem to be the song that everyone talks about, but it’s no better than any of the other songs on here. It lacks drama and again, the vocal performance during the chorus lets them down.

On the whole, ‘The Cruelty of Great Expectations’ is a largely good if unexceptional album. All the songs are well written, just sometimes performed with such lacklustre that it detracts from the quality of the material. The other thing that occurred to me is that if Honey for Christ have waited 13 years to release a debut album, why have they only put 8 tracks on it? Come on guys, could you not have squeezed on a couple more? You must have the material after all this time! This is certainly worth checking out, but if you’re looking for the soundtrack to your suicide, I’d give it a miss. It’s a bit too upbeat and jaunty for that.

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Review - The Cruelty of Great Expectations

Source: Heavymetal.no

Honey for Christ Northern Ireland has existed since 1998. Despite it'sThe Cruelty of Great Expectationsonly their first album. Dog rates high band with this release. The entire three-page long promo type came with the full version. Promo notes are full of praise for the band who has served as support for Trouble, ENTOMBED and Primordial.

If we look at the musical an emphasis Honey for Christ a significant application of dynamics in the sound. From a standpoint riffs meets light the dark on a regular show. Alternative rock structures races with tough and thrash-accented riffs for space in the spotlight. The vocals cultivates beauty, but it is of the seeker and alvorstyngede variety. Thus, it is right to argue that the band takes the mood from dark and depressive European heavy rock. Lead singer and guitarist Andrew Clarke convincing but not in the major courts. The voice lacks character, conviction and that little extra to take music to the highest heights. Andrew's lack of characteristic features is the biggest pitfall when most of the music is vocal driven.

Once the stomping and locomotive-like thrashriffa puffs off it is usually very tough. But sometimes it feels full of torn. The undersigned miss a more natural connection between the alternative and they charged me groovy transitions. This cut-and-paste feel, combined with half committed vocals make this album does not quite go home with the undersigned.

Another Way Down is the song the band succeeded. It has a sort of ballad-heavy feel to it that reminds me of Therapy?. The heavy and emotional music, you fall hard for the chest is Honey for Christ certainly worth checking out. Anathema, Katatonia and Annihilator are references, but do not expect similar greatness of the material. Honey for Christ is surely an interesting band and I'm excited for the future.

6 / 10

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Review - The Cruelty of Great Expectations

Source: Heavyhardes.de

Since 1998 there this Irish band from Belfast, and after two demos and two EPs, it is now time to bring the first full album to the man / woman. Granted, this band's name is thought somehow something towards psychedelic, but it is far from this debut.

To-earth, earthy heavy rock in the direction Katatonia is offered here (the label will even Slayer with, but surely that is far-fetched). The opening track "All Hope Was Strangled ', here's good to go forward. Earthy riffing, something seems to be rooted in the 70s, forms the backbone here. It continues with "Another Way Down", which I then but something about System Of A Down remember what all on the set, quiet guitar melody is present. The chorus takes the song in intensity, but then screwed them back. A multi-layered song that will end once more intense and skillfully to the different tempos and loud-soft dynamics of the play. That other sounds can be posted on shows, with "Liar Discipline", the violent is celebrated by some.

The sung vocals are clear and consistent fit to the mid-tempo passages, but when the going gets a bit violent, with the harder passages to me the song seems a bit too thin and weak (as in the chorus of "Liar Discipline"). From time to time but flashes through some aggression, but these points a little more of them could tolerate.
Otherwise, The Cruelty Of Great Expectations offers very sophisticated heavy rock with some chill-out factor, where you can also drop once. Now the only question on the total score is between 4 and 5 points ... therefore in doubt for the "accused".

5/6

Ray

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Review - The Cruelty of Great Expectations

Source: Power Of Metal

My first foray into Northern Ireland's Honey For Christ (spurred by a meeting online with a bandmember) has led me to "The Cruelty of Great Expectations", which appears to be the first full length following a litany of demos and EPs.

Musically, it's pretty depressive and dark, touching elements of Doom at times, with some slow, acoustic breakdowns, but also with some up tempo parts. Instrumentally they are a little grungier sounding than Katatonia, but they don't really have the same feel. At times, I would feel more comfortable comparing the feelings and mood invoked to Anathema (which means get out your razor blades).

In terms of quality, it can be a little inconsistent from section to section, but there's something to catch your ear in every song on the album. Portions of the album are too vocally driven for my liking; I mean the vocals are good, but the inventiveness of the musical portion of the band is lacking in such areas. This is a bit frustrating at times because there is a ton of promise in the instrumental sections of the songs. Every so often I get this feeling like they'd really benefit from an additional element musically as well.

The album does pick up a lot of steam over the last four tracks though, which are all good, building to "Failures Within" which is quite groovy, followed by "The Final Transition", which has the most interesting guitar-work on the album.

In the end, it shapes up to be a very listenable album. I think they might actually benefit as well from playing in a sub-genre that isn't over-saturated. While this album isn't going toe to toe with depressive titans such as the aforementioned Katatonia and Anathema, it holds its own and can certainly appeal to someone looking for a similar type of feel.

7/10

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Review - The Cruelty of Great Expectations

Source: MetalIreland

Honey For Christ have been a sterling example of the never-say-die attitude to underground metal. Their evolution has been interesting to witness, since over adecade ago when the ‘Long Way Down And Rising’ demo was released. Back then as a 4-piece they had the songs, and a certain amount of mystique behind them, but once vocalist Jason departed, it was unclear how the band would change to overcome that most awkward obstacle.

Surprisingly, guitarist Andy Clarke took the frontman spot and their next gigs were in front of a genuinely enthralled crowd – HFC were evidently a lot less doomy, and a hell of a lot more metal. This set them on the path of a harder, more aggressive style that has seen them rise among the very top of Northern Ireland’s metal bands, both in the live setting and in the releases stakes, as was seen with the sterling job done on the recent ‘All Hope Was Strangled’ 7”.

So, naïve and awkward debut album territory with the new release ‘The Cruelty Of Great Expectations’? Far, far from it. What we have here is a carefully crafted album with subtle nuances that elevate it easily onto the To Purchase list. The opening crush (no hyperbole – listen to that outrageously heavy bass and drum sound) of ‘All Hope Was Strangled’ sets a surprisingly heavy tone for the album. Immediately apparent is a stronger, melodic and more experienced singing voice from Andy, and a toning down of the Belfast accent, which gives it a more wide reaching feel.

Live favourite and personal album highlight ‘Another Way Down’ contrasts the heavy beating of the previous track with a soulful, beautiful number sung to perfection. It’s the best track that Therapy? never wrote, and is a song I can easily imagine getting airtime on metal TV channels; it’s extremely radio friendly.

A big plus point about the album’s production has to be mentioned here, most noticeably in ‘How The Dark Gets In’. The whole endeavour is made much more palatable by the fact that when each chorus is sung, they are slightly different from each other, despite being the same section lyrically and musically – meaning no cut n’ paste digital short cuts; the lads did it the honest, harder way and recorded them separately. Such a move has been representative of their career to date, after all, the band waited a full 13 years, honing their live show and tightening up their recorded output until they put out a debut album of professional quality.

The use of overdubs in the vocals is the most subtle thing on the album, and adds a fantastic depth to the songs. They’re used sparingly, and are mostly confined to ‘Another Way Down’, but give the more intense lyrics a lot more power, and complement the build up to the massive metal section of that song in particular. The doom elements of old haven’t been entirely forgotten either – ‘Blame Corrupts’ sounds for all the world like ‘The Sleeping Tyrant’ by Solstice.

Snarling, shouting, yet reflective and sorrowful, (especially in ‘How The Dark Gets In’) it’s to HFC’s credit that this all works so damn well together. Length wise it’s perfect for either a quick blast before heading out, or an involved listen in the evening, and at the risk of alerting the double entendre police, it’s short enough to please, but long enough to satisfy.

Unfortunately, there’s no ‘Orion Dust’, but you can’t have everything, and those who bought the last 7” will have it as a b-side. Indeed, there doesn’t seem to be a logical place in the album where the track would have worked, so the 7” release was the best place for it. Those who haven’t got that, and like what they hear from the album would be advised to seek it out.

Happily though, ‘The Final Transition’ is included as the album closer; it being their most rocking song live, and a great way to leave the listener on a high. All in all, the guys have done themselves proud. ‘The Cruelty Of Great Expectations’ has certainly exceeded the high expectations I had for the album, and I can’t wait to see them live again.

4.2 / 5 - Dónal McBrien ::: 12/05/11

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Review - The Cruelty of Great Expectations

Source: Metal Impact

HONEY FOR CHRIST is the kind of group that we really want to be indulgent. Because they have talent, they are moving forward, and they do not fit the mold stupidly.

Heavy Doom practicing the Katatonia / MY DYING BRIDE (less glaucous ...), light version, the Irish do not lack trick, but like a copy of a student who leaves on good tracks but the lack Finally, offer good ideas, but without actually exploiting them, or evil. 

Enjoying a more than impressive, with its fantastically well worth the rhythm and riffs, the songs of The Cruelty Of Great Expectations all suffer a major handicap, the singer's voice very boring guitarist Andy Clarke.
If as a guitarist, Andy develops a talent and an undeniable sense of the chord at the right time and right way, his voice is very monotone, and sentencing in the most melodic lines, always in the breach of falsity. And when the pieces tend toward uniformity, the lack of thickness and the leaden verbosity even more. And that's when HONEY FOR CHRIST differs most from its original style that pays. 

The most blatant example is "All Hope Was Strangled," the opening track. Buoyed by a really awesome intro riff, heavy, compact and massive, and sustained on the first verse with a deep voice, it leaves hope for the best, but ended up crashing on the rocks of a relatively flat Gothic Heavy . 

And when the machine packs, furious at the "Liar" Disciple, "we find ourselves faced with a Heavy barrel Death Match, in which the body seems to grow much Andy. The final fall more into pure chaos, the enthusiasm is all the greater! 

"Blame Corruption," which sounds very core, enjoys a song doubled to creep into your skull, and for once, the chorus melody has in no waste the efforts. And it is no coincidence that these three titles are the shortest of the album ... The other, which often grow beyond five minutes, seem to lack ideas and carrying out of breath really quickly. We nevertheless feel that it would take very little for all that really takes off, maybe a different song, more serious, because musically there is not much to criticize the group, given the optical music chosen.
But let's not in bad faith, and therefore that it is the first album, there are chances that the bottom conforms to the shape in the future, and at that time, I am sure we will lay HONEY FOR CHRIST an album well worthy of praise!

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Review - The Cruelty of Great Expectations

Source: Possessed Magazine

Well, the band HONEY FOR CHRIST's were already en route since 1998 and is now with her ​​debut album via Rundown Records daher.Die Northern Ireland but not unfleissig13 years, but have some demos and EP's previously out gebrachr. 

Normally, this makeso many grindcore bands, but there have HONEY FOR CHRIST nothing to do with. Theygo their own ways, and describe their style as a mix of Heavy Metal and Gothic Doom. Isit as it stood, although some thrashy parts are available and low death metal bonds arefelt. The vocals are clean but goes then this doomy corner. The music is very dark andemotional, I must say, but I can non much with it. It is interesting, if they produce starkchange of mood, that is a very tough and slow Doomfrequenz into a thrashy, fast riffplayed. Sounds very surprising and then generates Abwechslung.Als influences theygive to all the metal lines and the label describes it as a mix of Katatonia and Slayer. 

Mebecause it sounds too experimental, even though this creates the atmosphere of the album. Is again as an album that is musically interesting, but I hardly takes you on the journey, which may be due to the vocals. Check out the band go to their website and decide for yourself.

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Review - The Cruelty of Great Expectations

Source: Noizine

These guys are from northern Ireland and despite that they exist since 1998, “The Cruelty of Great Expectations” is their debut album. They play gothic/atmospheric metal with doom and death metal elements. Their influences seem to be Paradise Lost, Katatonia and Anathema mainly, mentioning the heaviness these bands used to have in their early releases. The compositions are fine and “catchy”, built around the clean vocals, which I personally find weak because I believe they need a better vocalist. Guitars and percussion are sometimes nice and smooth and they suddenly change into a heavy “Slayer” burst, which is really great. Most of the tracks are content and offering the same pleasure but two of them make the difference and actually awaking your emotions. I’m talking about “The Day We Lost Everything” and “Blame Corrupts”. Generally ,considering this as a debut album, it could be a good listening for northern metal fans.

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Review - The Cruelty of Great Expectations

Source: Music-Scan

In Northern Ireland the paint mills slowly. Therefore appears the debut album by HONEY FOR CHRIST until the 13th Year of the band. Inactive, the musicians are not even been.Some demo-and micro-releases and continuous tours in Ireland, Great Britain and incontinental Europe are already beech. What inclined listeners on "The Cruelty Of GreatExpectations"expect, the trio describes as a mixture of Gothic Doom and Heavy Metal.Heavy HONEY FOR CHRIST are in any case, and metal too. 

But neither Gothic Doommay still quite fit. The direction mapped true, however. The Northern Irishman is alwayspresent during longer be thwarted and gloomy. Moreover, has the full-time debut on ahigh melancholy content, which is not just on the back cover photo. Doom for the whole thing is too complicated and fast-paced created. Therefore, "The Cruelty Of GreatExpectations" as a heavy metal record already well classified, the trips has in different directions. Sometimes it goes straight and dry in the thrash, elsewhere in the massivedeath and sometimes take the offensive HONEY FOR CHRIST out and look towardsDoom. Variety is guaranteed accordingly. The Northern Ireland get out of its three castout a lot, even if sometimes a second guitar work wonders and enhance the atmospherewould continue.

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Review - The Cruelty of Great Expectations

Source: Undergound Empire

For whatever reason, is this band so far largely ignored in this country, I can not judge, the fact is for me that Northern Ireland would have to come because of their complex melange of great interest to most. After two demos, two EPs, the trio served for the first time, a long iron, and already after the first "sniff" it is clear that their musical spectrum HONEY FOR CHRIST have once again extended a little. The past is already on their demo "The Darkest Pinnacle Of Light" to be heard to influences from the corner of the dark metal, and come from the Gothic area on "The Cruelty Of Great Expectations" even more to the fore and crowd out the still in the early days of Volume existence of dominant elements from the direction of Power / Thrash Metal, have shaped the Will, "particularly the 2001 demo" Forging Iron. 

Although from that corner to be heard still a whole lot, but now latent fondness for, sometimes even in direction Doom tending dark sounds, proves on this album to be predominant and also as a correct decision, as the Northern Irishman sound more intensively than ever before. Sometimes it creates the Force in this regard even get to, close by masters like KATATONIA, so what can now be said not many bands on his own. Who this but expect a more "moderate" work in the sense of elegant elegies is definitely wrong, because especially the harsh riffs that come entirely from the old thrash metal school (in phases can be seen here, especially Jeff Waters as an influence, but also with NEVERMORE MEGADETH or you are not quite wrong) present themselves as indispensable to the success of this album out and make even the infamous "something" out. 

The band has thus again significantly developed their sound compositions stylistically but now open, on the other hand, at the same time tightly structured, as arranged. Were fine, if it succeed in Northern Ireland with "The Cruelty Of Great Expectations" at last could find at least some measure attention, this trio would have deserved it long ago!

Impressive

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Review - The Cruelty of Great Expectations

Source: Metalcore Fanzine

This was an alternative metal bands and it took a bit for me to get into it, but this like the above band isn't
band for what it is. The band's bio says they are dark heavy metal band in the vein of Katatonia meets Slayer. That to me is way off base. My ears an alternative rock/dark metal band. The singer has a nice voice and he sets the tone and the band kinda suck you in with their sound and style. The band still have a sense of a good melody too, which to me is what a good or great song is. The hook and riff, followed by the vocals. Again I am not
a huge fan of the alternative stuff, but I know a good band when I hear it and am open minded enough to give everything a shot and bottom line this is a good band.

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Review - The Cruelty of Great Expectations

Source: Metal.de

For whatever reason, is this band so far largely ignored in this country, I can not judge, the fact is for me that would have to meet Northern Ireland because of its complex blend of great interest to most.

After two demos, two EPs, the trio for the first time brings out a long iron, and after the first "sniff" it is clear that their musical spectrum HONEY FOR CHRIST have once again extended a little. The past is already on their demo "The Darkest Pinnacle Of Light" come to be heard to influences from the corner of the dark metal, and from the Gothic area on "The Cruelty Of Great Expectations" even more strongly to the fore and crowd out the still in the early days of Volume existence of dominant elements from the direction of Power / Thrash Metal, which marked especially the 2001 demo "Forging Iron Will."

Although it is heard from that corner is still a lot, but now the latent preference for, sometimes even tending toward doom dark sounds, this album proves to be predominant and also the right decision. For the Northern Irishman sound more intensively than ever before.Sometimes it creates the Force in this regard even in the near masters like KATATONIA reach, so what can now be said not many bands on his own.

Who this but expect a more "moderate" work in the sense of elegant elegies is definitely wrong, because especially the harsh riffs that come consistently from the old thrash metal school (in phases can be seen here, especially Jeff Waters as an influence, but also with NEVERMORE MEGADETH or you are not quite wrong) present themselves as indispensable to the success of this album out and make even the infamous "something" out.

The band has thus again significantly developed their sound compositions stylistically but now open, on the other hand, at the same time tightly structured, as arranged. earned would be nice if it could succeed in Northern Ireland with "The Cruelty Of Great Expectations" at last, at least somewhat related to attention, the trio would have long ago.

8/10

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Review - The Cruelty of Great Expectations

Source: Timemachinemusic

A Northern Ireland band Honey For Christ, isn’ t a newer name on underground metal area. They were formed in 1998 year, and till forthcoming period a group has released a coulple of Demos, 1 EP and one 7′ Inch issue.

“The Cruelty Of Great Expectations” is their actuelle and first full-length, where we can find 8 tracks in. HFC are on therithory of classic heavy metal, also influental by the 80′s movement. But in its sound we can find a plenty of dark metal traces and doomy atmospheres as well. Also some other genre’s variants are present here and there, as a specially thrashy includings. A group has offered a specific arrangments views of present songs, and it’s evident that members from band did a lotta’ efforts that all things get funkcionizes according to plan.

“The Cruelty Of Great Expectations” are consists of mainly equalizing materials, without leading song, but also without a weacker place in general.

7.5/10

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Review - The Cruelty of Great Expectations

Source: Paradise City, Belfast

Monk rambles on about some new releases... Honey For Christ – ‘The Cruelty Of Great Expectations’ (Rundown).

Well, it took them fucking long enough, didn’t it? I first came across HFC when I was working for the awful DV8 magazine (anyone remember it? No? Didn’t think so! Don’t blame you!), and that wasn’t yesterday! So, with such a wait, would the album live up to its monicker? Would the weight of expectation result in a cruel letdown? Thankfully, I have to say no. It has been worth the wait. The octet of tunes are carefully crafted, dynamically delivered, with beautifully balanced shades of light and dark, heaviness and subtlety, all coupled with a clear, precise production. I must admit to feeling a large Therapy? influence, especially in the instrumental sections of the likes of ‘Another Way Down’, but that is not a bad thing, and the trio do carve their own very clear creative path. Stand out track: ‘Liar Disciple’.

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Review - The Cruelty of Great Expectations

Source: Belfastmetalheadsreunited

Happiness not in your lexicon – Honey for Christ might be for you

WHEN it comes to cheerful misery and doom-laden emotional tales then it could be your too happy and you should add Honey for Christ’sfirst full-length album, The Cruelty of Great Expectations, to your regular listening.

Lyrically this offering from the Northern Ireland trio is enough to turn the happiest, clappiest, tambourine wielding Salvation Army member into a tattoo bedecked alcoholic; it makes angst ridden emos seem genuinely happy souls.

Slayer offered a dystopian global view in World Painted Blood, Honey for Christ reach into the deepest parts of each individual’s soul; where bleakness and desolation stamp down the smiles.

But musically there is a pure joy to listen to such well-arranged, dark metal.

Live favourites such as album closer The Final Transition, and recent single offering, All Hope Was Strangled, will already be familiar to fans of the band. However, they are now placed firmly in an aural landscape that broods, menaces and snaps you into a place, where, as HFC say: “the serpent eats the sun”.

And therein lies a strength for Honey for Christ that too many emerging acts forget. There is a need for metaphors in lyrics, and the music must match the tone of the lyrics and vice versa. Arrangements can be overlooked by eager musos who’ve just come up with a riff, without thinking how it can be fitted into a fluid song. Gigging and recording have honed Honey for Christ into a tight studio force as well as an awesome live act.

Take a close listen to Another Way Down and its landscape, painted in lush tones of despair, with gloom slowly building to inner terror, the terror behind every business suit briefcase carrying drone or power-dressed woman eager for the top.

Plunge into the seven minute opus of Failures Within, and wrench apart the souls’ clothes that hide the trembling beast in poor bindings.

Self-confessed influences of Katatonia and Slayer can be traced, but the landscape of The Cruelty of Great Expectations is one also populated by time changes at times akin to Dream Theater, slowed down hints of Down and the inner consideration of Gojira. But from this melange a great spice has been extracted – one with the dark beating heart of heavy metal strident in its blood-soaked glory. Gothic was never so good.

Great expectations can be cruel, for the flipside of hope is despair. David Lee Roth once said that Eddie Van Halen was only happy when he was miserable. Misery isn’t so bad when Honey for Christ’s misery can make one so happy.

The Cruelty of Great Expectations is available from 7th April on Rundown Records.

Honey for Christ are: Chris Armstrong (drums), Andy Clarke (vocals/guitar) and Paul McCoberts (bass).

Album launch party is Saturday 9th April at the Spring and Airbrake.

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