“Dark Divine’s ‘Deadly Fun’: A Carnival of Fear and Thrill”

Review By Glen Parkes

Dark Divine‘s ‘Deadly Fun (Deluxe Release)’ is a haunting carnival ride that will leave you questioning what lies beyond the corner of your mind. Dropping via Thriller Records on October 4th, this deluxe version takes the band’s debut record and spins it into something even darker and more thrilling, adding two atmospheric bonus tracks that elevate the experience to a new level of haunting allure.

Led by vocalist Anthony Martinez, the album feels like an emotional tightrope walk through different shades of death—whether it’s literal, spiritual, or emotional. Martinez’s vocal intensity pulls you right into this eerie funhouse, his lyrics weaving stories of anxiety, doubt, and fear with vivid imagery. In a personal twist, I couldn’t help but feel transported back to my own teenage years when life felt like a mystery funhouse—a constant juggle of excitement and dread.

The record opens with the title track, “Deadly Fun,” setting the tone with an anthemic, macabre energy. Martinez’s vocals, paired with Robby Lynch’s gripping guitar work, thrust you into the freak-show world the band has carefully crafted. The song’s themes of existential uncertainty hit close to home, yet it’s delivered with such a punch that it’s impossible not to feel electrified.

“Drown” and “Cold” follow, diving deep into the fear of isolation and emotional numbness. The production on these tracks is sharp, with Triston Blaize’s drumming providing a pulsating backbone to the swirling guitars and vocals. There’s an almost cinematic quality to the soundscape here, reminiscent of a slow walk through a haunted house, with moments of tension building before crashing into cathartic releases.

A standout on the album is “Terrifier,” where the band leans into its horror-inspired aesthetic with full force. The song captures that unsettling feeling of facing your worst nightmares, but it’s all delivered with a fun, head-banging twist that makes it as entertaining as it is terrifying. I particularly love how Dark Divine manages to merge horror imagery with personal emotional struggles—something that makes their music resonate on multiple levels.

Another highlight is “Dancing Dead,” a track that feels like it could soundtrack a macabre waltz under a blood-red moon. The energy is infectious, with the band finding the perfect balance between melodic hooks and hard-hitting breakdowns. Lynch’s guitar riffs soar here, giving the song a sense of chaotic beauty.

Towards the latter half of the album, songs like “Grave Digger” and “Moving On” dive into deeper, more reflective territory. You can sense the weariness in Martinez’s vocals, as if the weight of fear is starting to bear down harder. But instead of feeling bogged down, these tracks highlight the strength of the band’s storytelling—each song feels like a chapter in a larger, creeping narrative.

The deluxe edition’s two additional tracks, “Drown (Synthwave)” and “Cold (Cinematic),” strip back the heaviness and introduce a moodier, atmospheric vibe. As a fan of synthwave myself, I loved this unexpected twist. It’s a reminder that Dark Divine isn’t just a one-dimensional heavy rock band—they’re more than capable of exploring different soundscapes and textures, and they do it with finesse.

‘Deadly Fun’ is a rollercoaster ride of fear, tension, and thrilling highs. It’s dark, it’s heavy, and it’s relentlessly fun in the most twisted way possible. Anthony Martinez, Robby Lynch, and Triston Blaize have crafted an album that’s not just for the horror-lovers but for anyone who’s ever felt like they were walking through life waiting for the next jump scare. And really, isn’t that all of us?

If you’re into the macabre, if you like your music to thrill and chill, Dark Divine’s debut is an absolute must-listen. Just be prepared—you may never look at carnivals the same way again.