"Act III: Life and Death" is a concept-driven, musically dense recording from prog-rock unit The Dear Hunter [ tickets ]. The album marks the third installment of a six-part rock opera written by lead man and former member of The Receiving End of Sirens, Casey Crescenzo.

Taking place during WWI, the overall saga tells the coming-of-age experience of a male figure. For the third part of this tale, the character falls in love and struggles with his emotions.

Produced by Crescenzo and guitarist Andy Wildrick, "Act III: Life and Death" erupts with a grandiose assortment of strings, horns, harps and woodwinds. The band proves they aren't a bit bashful when it comes to exploiting massive theatrics and sound-effect experimentations. Eerie creaks, music-box tunes and nature provide just a few of the noise assortments scattered among tracks.

Dark and intense, "Act III: Life and Death" is a demanding, potent listen. Overblown vocals and robust choruses give most of the songs an air of angst, desperation and urgency. Despite being excessive in nearly every aspect, "Act III: Life and Death" comes across authentic.

The first half of the record is most outstanding; overblown and powerful, it seamlessly navigates through love-ridden ditties, symphonic bliss, manly rage and commanding choruses. The nonstop Broadway-style melodrama gets exhausting at times, but sonic switch-ups help avoid the monotony of endless wails and chants. Standout tracks like the gentle lullaby "Father," love-struck "In Cauda Venenum" and hazy dreamland layers of "The Thief" make this a worthwhile listen. Amongst all the heaviness, the album closes with a hopeful thought: "One of these days he will learn to love again."

It's hard to imagine how much larger the sounds can possibly get for The Dear Hunter, but with "Act III: Life and Death," they have primed listeners to ponder the next act of an epic story.