Imagine yourself huddled down in a foxhole; it is cold, damp and desolate. You hear breathing, not your own, and your buddy was shot and killed hours ago. It’s the enemy—but where is he?

These emotions and more are all crammed into the new unbelievably solid release by Sleeping By the Riverside, A Breath Between Battles.

This concept album, taken from the perspective of a participant in WWII, begins with the spine curling, emotionally charged, In the Case of Man. Vivid word pictures like, “You tug at death’s hood like it’s Santa’s beard,” showcase the unique writing style that has become trademark for SBTR. The remainder of the album showcases similar songs of emotional toil and regret in songs like Entertainment for the Weak, Das Munster and Something to Say.

One negative aspect of this CD is the choppiness of the sampling that is used. While most bands that use sampling try to incorporate it in their songs, SBTR make their samples an almost separate entity, leaving it out in the middle of nowhere, and to the listener, making it seem out of place. This aside though, the album itself is a spectacular display of all other aspects of the hardcore genre.

Comparisons have been made to Shai Hulud when speaking of SBTR, and rightfully so. The vocals are not only reminiscent, but for the most part identical to that of lead vocalist from Shai Hulud, Geert Van de Veeld. The sheer passion and intensity is also similar to the Revelation Records artist.

Concept albums, in the past, haven’t always seen as much recognition as they may have deserved. This effort, is simply put, a well executed spectacular idea. The songs fit right in with the ideas being portrayed and, with the exception of Radiohead’s OK Computer, is at the top of my “concept album” list.