Bacchanalia Magazine

by Ashley Kizis

In an era of artists attempting to rediscover themselves and their sounds- The Last Dinner Party seems to be going against those ideals. From The Pyre, released on the 17th of October, expands the band’s original sound. Although a fresh release, the band’s second studio album flows seamlessly from their debut. The album features highly anticipated tracks such as “Second Best” and “This is the Killer Speaking” (which were previously played live while touring for their debut album), the second single “The Scythe”, and seven other previously unheard songs.

The album itself, while having a near dreamy sound to many of the songs, describes escaping a near hellscape. The album is gothic, cathartic, and straight out of a horror film. From The Pyre opens with “Agnus Dei”, a melodramatic song describing the experience of being thrown quickly into the limelight. The track features lines such as “Oh here comes the apocalypse / and I can’t get enough of it”, “One kiss and I was disemboweled”. “Rifle” is a highlight of the album, featuring a haunting buildup and French choral chants. “Woman is a Tree” seems straight out of an Ari Aster film, opening with the band joining voices and creating a cult-like incantation. “Sail Away”, a ballad seems almost like a lullaby, creates the perfect atmosphere and leadup for the heartbreaking grief anthem “The Scythe”
which tackles both the loss of a relationship and the loss of life.

From The Pyre is a hauntingly beautiful release that marks The Last Dinner Party’s place in the rock scene. Their artistic vision is stronger than ever, and they only seem to continue to advance their sound and theatrical world.