This is the second album from the British metalcore outfit, which was recorded at the renowned Audio Hammer studio in Florida with producer Jason Suecof (Trivium, Devildriver, Motionless In White). According to the press release “the Brits’ sophomore release further defines and refines their groundbreaking blend of metallic savagery, state-of-the-art electronics and bold anthemic melodies.”. Rats. If that is the case then the download I was provided with is for a different album, as that’s not what I am hearing at all. There are a small number of labels that can be guaranteed to release class material nearly every single time, and Nuclear Blast is definitely one of this with great release after great release. But, sometimes it isn’t quite there, and that is most definitely the case ere.
The sound is confused, almost muddied, as if the guys aren’t really sure what they are doing as they try to bring in melodies where they don’t really exist, and employ keyboard sounds that for the most part have no place at all on a metal album. They manage to convey the impression that in the live environment they can be a fairly brutal and aggressive act but that in no way compensates for the lack of actual songs.
I see that this has been getting rave reviews all over the place, so I’m probably in minority of one again but it won’t be for the first time or the last, and this is just not something that I can get excited about.
