Dirty Beloved

"Letters From A Broken Home" takes a heavier slant than most, choosing to focus on the darker exploration of inner conflict and frustration surrounding recent world events. Musically, Armin’s vocals express these concepts using diverse deliveries ranging from unsettled intimacy to outright rage reminiscent of the styling of Chris Cornell during his days with Soundgarden or recent UK comeback Kings, RATM. Mike’s guitar sets the tone with a series of technical riffs to perfectly underscore Armin’s singing. The result of this combined effort is a progressive hard rock album. It starts with an explosion and expands outwards throughout the rest of the album right from the first song ’Blind Eye Of God’, an aggressive and frenetic opener, choc full of power and raw emotion. ‘You let Me Drown’ is another bombastic effort, part Pearl Jam, Alter Bridge, with a Vai styled solo with prod tendencies thrown in for good measure. To be honest the pace hardly ever falters from being a high octane energy ride. Bass and drums don’t let the pace drop for a single second, and DB would be a sight to behold in the live arena if they can keep this high speed assault.

Dirty Beloved know how to rock, and deserve to take all the plaudits their music attracts. A highlight is the mega and catchy ‘Homebound’. Honestly, all of it is good, and this album deserves to be listened to. After repeated listens (its why my review is being submitted late) I pick up something different from each and every passing play.

One for my faves of the year. And it will still be in with a shout come December, and beyond. A crackin’ release from this talented bunch. Highly recommended

11/13

Paul Chesworth

Link to reviewer site

DIRTY BELOVED

LETTERS FROM A BROKEN HOME

(SPUDBOT)

Looking for a heavy rock album that will shake you by the throat from the opening bars and refuse to let go until the last notes die away? Then look no further. Canada’s Dirty Beloved are intense, aggressive and raw with pounding drums throughout some sizzling guitar solos and a skill at crafting their songs that sets the bar high. Slower paced ‘Homebound’ loses none of the intensity which here Is largely to be found In Armin Kamal’s passion-filled vocals, but it’s a more reflective piece with a solid bass line under pinning it all. ‘I Walk Away’ is an absolute monster, again with great work on the bass and a strong rhythm from the drums and an even faster pace for a real addictive energy filled ride. Don’t let the reflective mid-section fool you, it’s going to blow your head off. Even album closer ‘Star Requiem’, a far more subdued and almost mellow affair for the most part, kicks into overdrive for the choruses, and rounds off an album that will leave you feeling exhausted - it’s impossible not to rock out with Dirty Beloved.

4/5

- Clare Huckett

Black Velvet Issue #63

Link to reviewer

Dirty Beloved - Letters From A Broken Home
(Spudbot – 2009)

Well it’s not often you get a CD that clearly blows you away with its power, aggression and talent. This four piece Canadian band are showing the rest of the world what rock music is about.

Letters From A Broken Home is a masterpiece in its own right, Dirty Beloved have been compared to Soundgarden and Dream Theatre with their musical intensity but I would put them in the class of Creed, Alter Bridge and Boy Hits Car with their power and aggression. This ten track CD rips into the soul like no other modern band, as they pound their way through ‘Blind Eye of God’, ‘You Let Me Down’, ‘Take Good Care’ and the pounding intro to ‘Why Would I’ that reminded me of Mortal Sin-The Curse and Scorpions-Animal Magnetism.

This is a CD that that will be played for a long time to come with the notion that every time I listen, I know I will hear something different that makes Dirty Beloved a band to listen out for in the years to come.

10/10

By Tony Watson

Link to review site