Album Review: The Haunted – Songs Of Last Resort (Century Media)

It’s been far too long, but finally, The Haunted are back! On their tenth studio album, ‘Songs of Last Resort’, the Swedish legends set out to reclaim the modern thrash throne and deliver their most intense and vital music to date. It is out on May 30th, 2025, via Century Media.

 

Who had The Haunted releasing one of their most vitriolic albums to date on their 2025 bingo card? Very few people I imagine, but here we are. The Haunted have returned, releasing their first new album since 2017’s Strength in Numbers, and creating the kind of noise we’ve not had from them in quite a while.

It’s f**king glorious.

Somehow, the five-piece (Marco Aro – lead vocals / Jensen – rhythm guitar / Ola Englund – rhythm & lead guitar / Jonas Björler – bass, backing vocals / Adrian Erlandsson – drums) have turned the clock backwards, but also found new and exciting ways to express themselves. Choosing to look at the ever-encroaching darkness that surrounds this world, exploring the terrifying reality of worldwide destruction through war. It’s not a happy subject to focus on, and The Haunted approach it with all the fire and fury of a band hellbent on causing some destruction themselves.

It doesn’t get more explosive than the opening track Warhead, an instant blast of racing thrash rhythms and furious sounding vocals. The Haunted setting the head banging bar extremely high and reminding all who press play of their power. Although, as I already said, this an album with almost no let up, so it should come as no surprise that track after track brings the heavy. The Haunted spitting out garish and addictive death-infused savagery, manic thrash ferocity, frenetic moments of groove, and so much more with the likes of In Fire Reborn, Death to the Crown, To Bleed Out, Unbound, and Hell is Wasted on the Dead.

In fact, the first half of the album flies by in a blur of blood thirsty riffs, pummelling drums, and feral vocals. The Haunted making it perfectly clear that the fire in their veins comes naturally and there is no forcing the heavy intensity that exists on this record.

Long term fans are going to eat it up, but rest assured, the record has more than enough quality moments to draw in some new ones too. Especially those who want to feel their heart pounding in their chest, feel the muscles in their neck thickening, and feel a constant sense of threat hanging over them. If I had to choose just one song that sums all of this up, it has got to be Collateral Carnage. This track is The Haunted at their grooviest sounding on this record, but it comes with so much heavy power too. I love it, and I think you will too.

Elsewhere, there is the thrilling Through the Fire, the short instrumental harmony of Blood Clots and its immense riffs, the punchy Salvation Recalled, with its melodeath leanings, the measured tempo of Labyrinth of Lies that gives it a gloomier feel, and the cinematic finale that is the title track. A very special closing track on one of the best albums The Haunted have released in some time.

The Haunted – Songs of Last Resort Track Listing:

1. Warhead
2. In Fire Reborn
3. Death to the Crown
4. To Bleed Out
5. Unbound
6. Hell is Wasted on the Dead
7. Through the Fire
8. Collateral Carnage
9. Blood Clots
10. Salvation Recalled
11. Labyrinth of Lies
12. Letters of Last Resort

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