Friday, September 25, 2015

Modern Day Babylon - The Ocean Atlas [EP Review]

The Ocean Atlas is a tremendous EP that stands out from the crowd. From the 3 piece titled Modern Day Babylon, it is an EP filled with musicality and pleasant surprises that make it feel exceptionally fresh and polished in a quite overcrowded scene nowadays. Even sometimes blending in electronics, Modern Day Babylon has quite the little treasure on their hands and I'm here to help it get the recognition that it deserves.



The EP is a total of 6 songs (including a remix of the first track) all with their own pros and cons. Overall however, this is definitely going to contain more pros than cons as these guys have some beautifully written songs that can convey emotions exceptionally through their writing. And... that's without any lyrics. Also the fact that they are a 3 piece is quite impressive as some songs contain sections that sound like they were pieced together by much larger ensembles. Also, while this is metal, the band manages to write in keys that are very uplifting and airy with lots of melodic possibilities that they definitely emphasize on.

Track Rundown:

Wings

The first track of the EP is definitely one of it's best. Wings is an onslaught of melodic beauty from beginning to end. It features a simple and catchy electronic intro that leads right into a gorgeous riff to start off the EP. Rhythmic complexity is aplenty throughout this track and there are plenty of sections changes and bridges which keep the song driving forward and prevent it from becoming stale. I also have to say that these guys have some sexy tones across the board. Guitar and bass sounds great throughout all ranges and the drums cut through when they need to without being overbearing. This is definitely one of my top tracks from the EP and it provides a great example of what listeners can expect throughout the rest of the songs. = A-


Water Drops

Holy shit do I love this song. From the opening chords I knew this was gonna be a great one. Yet another masterfully crafted riff that is paired with a groovy bass line and a solid beat on the kit. This song actually progresses a great deal from beginning to end and it does so with plenty of style. Some sections feature more ambiance and backing electronics, we are greeted with a gorgeous guitar solo about halfway through, and the last third of the song drives forward while still managing to introduce new sonic ideas and melodic lines. The very end even shows us the down-tuned-heavy-hitting side of Modern Day Babylon with a kickass breakdown accompanied by some mesmerizing floating guitar lines. = A+

Through The Worlds

As the last track on the EP, I was hoping this would make a solid finisher that I would remember even after I had hit the pause button. I was right. This song builds on a very strong melodic motif all the way to the finish and it demonstrates (again) a great piece of progressive metal which transforms over the course of 5 minutes. Right from the opening drum fill I could tell that this song was going to hit just a little bit harder and it does so in all the right places. We are greeted with lines of arpeggios as well as some syncopated cymbal and kick work that all mix great to transition into new sections and make the song feel like a journey through multiple sonic styles. However, there is the constant theme provided by the melodic motif which makes the song feel very coherent and polished. = B+


The Verdict

I will end by saying that this EP is beautiful. Instrumental groove metal accompanied by gorgeous melodic lines and equally pleasing guitar solos, bass lines, and beats on the kit. Sounds pretty damn great to me. However, there's so much more to this release and I have to recommend that you check it out for yourself!
The Ocean Atlas = 9/10

Check out the EP stream below!


Monday, August 24, 2015

UPDATE TIME!



Hey guys! I know content has been quite bare bones but I've been working on plenty of stuff behind the scenes and can't wait to get it all up here. This is a simple update letting you know that I'm still planning on posting content here on a weekly basis once school starts up again! 

In the mean time, I figured I'd leave some new material for you guys to check out! Black Tongue has released yet another new song, this time complete with a bone-chilling video. In the Wake ov the Wolf is the title of the new song and I still think that these guys are the best downtempo group around. While it may not appeal to as many people as L'appel du Vide, (previous single) Black Tongue is definitely proving that they are on the come up and I can't wait for their upcoming album. 

Also, my metalcore favorites, The Devil Wears Prada, just released their new Space EP. Featuring 6 tracks the EP tells the story of a lone astronaut who ends up being the sole survivor of the human race. It is an exceptional EP with plenty of emotions flowing through the lyrics and some of the best metalcore instrumentals I've heard in a while. I will be posting a review of Space later this week.

In the mean time, check out the new Black Tongue single and my favorite track off of the Space EP!

Cheers!

Aidan


Wednesday, August 5, 2015

The Devil Wears Prada - Alien [NEW SINGLE]

Wow. The Space EP is almost here and TDWP have given us a second track from their upcoming release. I'll start by saying this, Alien is my favorite track that these guys have put out in years. I'm more of a Zombie, Roots, and Plagues fan, rather than Dead Throne and 8:18. This upcoming EP seems to have a concept similar to their first EP, Zombie. As for the song, this shit rips. Daniel is rippin' on the kit from the first note and doesn't let up after that. The mix sounds nice a crisp and Mike's vocals are used in new and unique ways while still maintaining his signature sound. I'd say my only complaint with this song is that it isn't longer due to how much I've been enjoying it. I'm actually glad they decided not to implement a more typical chorus, as we saw that on the last single, Supernova.

The Space EP is due out August 21st on Rise Records. 

Be sure to check out the official stream of Alien from Rise below!

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Thy Art Is Murder - Holy War [NEW ALBUM Stream]

Well here it is! The highly anticipated new album from the guys in Thy Art Is Murder. We've definitely had a handful of deathcore releases this year so we'll have to see if this can stand apart from the pack and show some growth since Hate. These guys haven't always been my favorite deathcore act, but I can't deny that they sure do have some tasty jams. Definitely gonna be listening to this in the coming weeks and will probably be posting a review after my review of Psalms (new Lorna Shore).

ENJOY MY FELLOW METALHEADS!


Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Black Tongue - L'appel du Vide [New Single]

I'm gonna call Black Tongue down-tempo, but this new track would be contradicting me. Okay yes, the heavy is here, obviously if you're listening to Black Tongue you're expecting the drop tuning and plenty of slams. But this new track adds a LOT to their sound. The opening with blasts feels like something straight out of a black metal album with the ambiance the guitars create. This is starting to become somewhat of a trend among bands under the deathcore label, but when done right (like this) it sounds pretty damn amazing. Definitely give this one a listen if you haven't had your daily headbang yet! Also, keep a lookout for their new album due out September this year, titled, The Unconquerable Dark.


Monday, June 8, 2015

Upcoming Northlane Album and New Single!

Well yesterday the world was given a new Northlane song. I'd say that is a pretty damn good day. Even with the addition of new vocalist Marcus Bridge, Northlane is on their A game and I can say I'm definitely looking forward to their new album, Node, due out July 24th. The new single, Obelisk, is really demonstrating somewhat of a new direction in which there is plenty of atmosphere. The guitars swell in the background while drums slice right through and it's a really welcome sound is this almost overpopulated world of modern metal. If Rot and Obelisk are signs of what is to come, Node looks to be an excellent release from a more than excellent band.

Check out the official video for Obelisk and the tracklist for Node below. 


Tracklist for Node:

1. Soma
2. Obelisk
3. Node
4. Ohm
5. Nameless
6. Rot
7. Leech
8. Impulse
9. Weightless
10. Ra
11. Animate


Monday, May 25, 2015

The Coma Machine - Between the Buried and Me [New Single]

Ah, so nice to finally see the return of Between the Buried and Me. These guys are masters of metal and are one of the most intuitive and musically intelligent bands around today. I was a huge fan of their previous albums, Colors and The Parallax II: Future Sequence. Some of my favorite metal songs of all time reside on those albums so I was definitely expecting big things for their new material. The band released the first single from their upcoming album back in April, and let me tell you, it was great. However, this right here... is really something special. This song and video demonstrate how truly talented and artistic these guys are. The song s a masterpiece and flows perfectly from beginning to end featuring a multitude of styles and sounds along the way.

With how The Coma Machine is sounding, I really think we should be getting excited for this new album. Coma Ecliptic is due out July 10th on Metal Blade Records. Definitely be looking to check this one out!


Wednesday, May 13, 2015

I'M BACK! [Matriarch Review - Veil of Maya]

Hey everyone! I know it's been a while since I posted a review or anything, but I'm back. I will also be creating a new format for my reviews and be going a little more in depth. Midterms had me swamped with plenty of other personal issues but I will now be posting a review or an update at least once a week. Now that that's out of the way... the new Veil of Maya album dropped yesterday, and I'm gonna tell you all about it.


MATRIARCH



Matriarch is by far Veil's best written album to date. While some fans man not feel that this is Veil at their best, this is definitely their songwriting at it's best. This is the first album to incorporate clean vocals, and guitarist Marc Okubo said that was something that the band had been talking about implementing for quite a while, before they even landed their new vocalist, Lukas. While even I was a little skeptical of the introduction of cleans, they couldn't blend any better and Lukas' voice is truly outstanding. Alright here's where I may lose some of you. I actually think Lukas is an upgrade from Brandon. He seems to have a wider range of screams as well as a great singing voice that is proving very intuitive for Veil. 

For those of you thinking, "Oh this isn't Veil of Maya anymore", let's put those thoughts to rest. This is Veil of Maya. I can hear similarities to The Common Mans Collapse on tracks like LeeLoo and Teleute, while they manage to incorporate so many new sounds at the same time. This is by far the widest variety of sounds that we have seen to date on one of Veil's albums. However, some sounds and ideas do feel a little out of place and almost dumbed down compared to the rest of the material on the album. Matriarch is a masterfully crafted metal album and all the boys in Veil are showing what they have evolved into. 


Track rundown:

LeeLoo - Alright this one is something special. If you're looking for the good old chaotic riffs and mind boggling rhythms of TCMC and even id, this is going to be one of your favorite tracks on the album. It features an intro riff that will melt your face while you groove all at the same time. Lukas layers over some brutal screams and Sam is clean as ever behind the kit. Dan also sounds great as the bass isn't hidden in the mix and everyone's contribution is able to be picked out while listening. This track also features some really neat effects in order to create atmosphere, and the second half has some rhythms that will leave listeners lost, but more than satisfied. 

LeeLoo: A


Mikasa - This was actually the second single released from this album, and that's for a damn good reason. This is a kick-ass song, from start to finish. The heavy A sections give us plenty of what we want, but then we hear something new from Veil... choruses. Lukas really shines on this track because we are able to see the contrast from his screams and cleans so clearly. It's a track full to the brim with beautiful melodies and bellowing growls and exposes us to these new sounds of the band. 


Mikasa: B+


Three-Fifty - Being a personal favorite of mine from this album, I have a lot to say about this song. First of all, it's fast. Opens with a blistering intro and then transitions listeners into a slow-flowing break section featuring Lukas' cleans yet again. This slow section returns with more emphasis and we really get to hear a lot of Lukas on this track. The final third is where this one picks up. Marc's riffs just fit. It's as simple as that and he has clearly spent A LOT of time writing this album. There are also some great layers added for texture behind the main riffs and rhythms. 


Three-Fifty: A-



The Verdict:


So, is Matriarch worth your time? Without a doubt. This is some of the best work of one of the best modern metal bands around. Veil of Maya is proving to be like a fine wine, they are getting better with age. While many people will avoid this album all together due to the use of clean vocals, I really ask you to open your mind and give it a listen. I guarantee that there's at least one track that new and old fans alike can get down to. From start to finish this album just feels complete and full of wonderful musical ideas. I think that the inclusion of cleans has pushed them to new boundaries and will only further their music endeavors even after this album. 


Matriarch  = 9.2/10

Check out my favorite track from the album below!



PS - I was lucky enough to see Veil of Maya last night for the album release show. It was my first time seeing the band live with Lukas, and they played a great combination of new and old material. He really displayed his chops with some older tracks like "It's Not Safe to Swim Today" and "Resistance" while also absolutely slaying all of the cleans and screams from the material that he has written. Was impressed with the whole band as always and it was one hell of a show. 

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Mikasa - Veil Of Maya [New Single and Upcoming Album Info]

About a week ago, Veil of Maya put out a little parody video of Breaking Bad. It had to do with their new vocalist (Lukas Magyar) defending his right to sing with clean vocals. As a longtime fan of Veil I never thought I'd see the day where they include clean vocals. But damn, I'm actually pretty glad that I was wrong on this one. This new track embodies everything that Veil represents. Crazy guitar riffs by the always innovative Marc Okubo, with bass lines and beats to match provided by the Higler and Sam Applebaum. Then we get a taste of Lukas and his cleans. Let me say this: this dude can sing. He has not only a great range with his cleans, but his screams are tremendous across the board. Even from the live footage that I've seen so far of him performing with the band on some older songs, he kills it. Adding in cleans adds a whole new element to this band without leaving behind what they've been all these years. 

With the release of this new song, the band also announced that their upcoming album is titled Matriarch and will be available May 12th 2015. Pre-order bundles are up and I highly suggest looking into this album. Veil have yet to release a disappointing album and with this new direction that they are moving in, I'm sure that Matriarch will provide some of their best material to date. 

Check out the music video for Mikasa below!



Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Skylasher - Lee McKinney of Born of Osiris [Solo Debut]

Lee McKinney from Born of Osiris has just released his first solo track titled, Skylasher. I have always enjoyed BoO and Lee definitely proves that he has contributed quite a bit of his creativity to the band with this solo effort. This track features some great shredding with a surprisingly solid backing track formed of electronic sounding drums and bass tones. While not bad by any means, I simply have the preference for live instruments, although seeing how it was all written by one man, I think I'll cut Lee some slack. It's a nice track with a hint of Animals as Leaders that really shows off what Lee is capable of. Hopefully he brings some of these new ideas and concepts to the new Born of Osiris content...


Monday, February 16, 2015

On The Run - Dance Gavin Dance

AHH Dance Gavin Dance are back! Their second new song since Acceptance Speech, On The Run is a killer track. This has to be one of my favorite intros in a long time and it only builds on that. Tillians vocals are beautiful throughout and offer a more though provoking style over Jon's who seems to be back to his usual lyrical nonsense. Personally, I don't think that's a bad thing because Jon's lyrics may not be plotted out perfectly but his sporadic sound and style fit him very well within this band, as he always has.
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Bottom Line is this track is killer! My only complaint is that we need more Will!!! The guitars seem a little low on the mix and that could be due to "youtube quality" or some other b.s... however, Will Swan is a truly unique and talented guitarist and has been part of the backbone of this band since their conception. Let me hear those tasty grooves that he can deliver on the strings! Other than that definitely give this one a listen and keep an eye out for their upcoming album, Instant Gratification out April 14th!!



Tuesday, January 20, 2015

A Gift a Curse - Emmure [Video]


Sadly, Emmure have always been a guilty pleasure of mine. Hell, the bass player and I are even from the same town in good ol' Connecticut. Even though I was a little more than disappointed with their latest release, this was one of the exceptions off the album, and although the video might seem a little extraneous, I enjoy seeing new material from these guys in any shape/form. The video features Frankie growling away and has a dark theme that seems to be dealing with a parellel universe possibly? Who knows... it's Emmure. However, this video is on repeat on my end just cause I can always go for some nice chuggin' from Emmure. Enjoy!

Saturday, January 17, 2015

New Oceano Singles!!

Oceano are back with two brutal singles off their forthcoming album. After a few somewhat disappointing releases, it's glad to see these deathcore aficionados are back on track. These tracks are Oceano at their best: brutal, violent, atmospheric, and just plain old heavy. The songs show a great deal of progression from beginning to end while also introducing motifs. These are two very solid tracks that will be a treat for long time fans, as well as those who are hearing Oceano for the first time. I'm glad to see that this album should be a great outing for Oceano and can't wait to hear more from these guys! Check out the two singles below!!

Dead Planet



Dawn of Descent


Monday, January 12, 2015

Favorites of 2014!!

Finally, I have my list of favorite albums from the whirlwind that was 2014. I know it's like 2 months late but whatever dudes. Hope you enjoy and make sure to check out something from this list!

Honorable Mentions:


- A Voice Within - Intervals

- Once More 'Round The Sun - Mastodon

- The Joy of Motion - Animals As Leaders

- Antemasque [Self-titled]



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THE LIST



10. Descensus - Circa Survive

9. You're Dead - Flying Lotus

8. From Parts Unknown - Every Time I Die

7. Run the Jewels 2 - Run the Jewels

6. Under Pressure - Logic

5. No Peace - Trash Talk

4. Tomorrow's Modern Boxes - Thom Yorke

3. Black Messiah - D'Angelo and The Vanguard

2. Language - The Contortionist

1. Lost Together // Lost Forever - Architects

Monday, December 15, 2014

22 Faces - Periphery [NEW from their concept double album!]


Whew! Just got done listening to this one myself and I'll say this... IT SLAYS. Periphery is one of the most consistent bands out there right now, and while I did enjoy the first two that they released from this dual-album concept, this is letting me know that they are still at the top of their game. Spencer's vocals really sound better than ever on these new tracks and it seems that all the songs are more coherent and based off the band as a unit rather than the individuals contributing their own pieces. An awesome solo by Jake really brings this one home and has me anxiously awaiting this release from the powerhouse that is Periphery.

Enjoy!!

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Rot - Northlane [New Single With New Vocalist]


Here it is ladies and gentlemen. The first Northlane track to feature Marcus Bridge on vocals. No he's not the same as Adrian, but this track gives us a great look at his abilities. Marcus's cleans are outstanding. They aren't as unique as Adrian's but I definitely think that his voice fits the atmospheric tone and feel of Northlane. His screams on the other hand... are actually much more impressive than I expected. He has quite the range on those screams and he sure as hell sounds good on this track. The instrumentation isn't anything too impressive as far as Northlane goes, but it still is Northlane, so definitely expect plenty of rhythmic variation as well as some tremendous melodies. These guys have always been on top of their game and I hope that Marcus is a welcome addition to the group and he helps push them forwards.

Moments of Clarity [EP] - ERRA


          Ahh now this is really something special... The guys in ERRA are known for being insanely talented and high energy musicians, and I can confirm that these guys are crazy talented. I've been a fan of them since their full-length Impulse and after a few lineup changes, Moments Of Clarity is the new EP from ERRA. Many people believed that losing their frontman and a guitarist who both contributed heavily to the writing process would hurt ERRA, but I think it helped give them that last shove that they needed to polish things off.

          To start things off we are greeted with Dreamcatcher, which was the first single released from this EP. This song is a perfect example of how ERRA diversifies their sound and tries to stray away from the metal-core-chug-brootal-chug cliche. The song opens with a beautiful harp line and the melodic line that we hear in the intro is a motif throughout this track. Ian's screams sound great here. There are definitely some fast and tricky patterns but he nails them all and I really like the aggressive sound of his screams. These screams offer a bit of contrast from Jesse's cleans, but they are also the perfect compliment. Transitions between sections are absolutely flawless and it really seems that Ian has put all his effort into developing his sound for ERRA, and I'll be the first to say that the result is kick-ass.

          Probably my personal favorite off of this EP is Warrior. This track is nothing shy of great and every single aspect seems that it has been fine tuned to ERRA's standards. Guitar tones are graceful with Ian's screams sounding brutal and Jesse's cleans absolutely nailing the feel of this track. The band members actually said that this track is a "fictional story based on the Nayenezgani legend from Navajo culture. It's a story of the Navajo in a battle against the "white man" and their modern weapons. In a moment of desperation and near defeat, this supernatural warrior from Navajo legend appears on the battlefield to save his people." (Jesse Cash). While I don't typically pay a lot of attention to lyrics, I like to see that this band is experimenting and placing deeper meaning in their lyrics rather than the oh so cliche "you're not alone" lyrics that have sadly become quite common in metal-core. As far as instrumentals go, I feel like this track has one of the best mixes out of all the songs that these guys have ever put out, and that's saying something.

          While it is an EP, and it's only 23 minutes long... listeners should understand that this is 23 minutes of incredibly talented musicians hammering away at their craft. These guys have really established their own sound in a scene that has become far too generic. Not only is this an extremely solid EP, but it shows us what's in store for ERRA. This was their first release with Ian on vocals so expect all of the kinks to be worked out by the time the next full-length comes out.
   
          Final thoughts. Moments of Clarity kicks ass. It's that simple. This EP may not be as ground breaking as the first time a lot of us heard their stuff from Impulse, but it's still the same old ERRA that we love and their sound is clearly growing and evolving, while staying unique and fresh. Definitely give this one a listen!

Moments of Clarity = 4.5/5

Check out my favorite track off the EP, Warrior.




Tuesday, October 21, 2014

New Bring Me The Horizon and Stick To Your Guns!

Hey guys!

If you haven't heard already, two new music videos were released today! The first was Drown by Bring Me The Horizon (the first follow up since Sempiternal), and it is definitely demonstrating the growth of this band over the years. This is easily one of their most tame songs, and while it has a much lighter feel, you can still tell it's BMTH. The single will be released December 7th!




The second video I wanna talk to you guys about today is Nobody from Stick To Your Guns. This video is clearly raising awareness of their upcoming album Disobedient, which will be released in February 2015. STYG have always stayed true to their punk/hardcore sound and style and that stays true hear. Definitely a solid track worth a listen.



Friday, October 17, 2014

Exotype [Self-Titled]


          Exotype aren't some new kids on the block in the metalcore scene. These guys have been pumping out deathcore since the early 2000's, but they switched over to the name Exotype and started to focus on metalcore blended with hardcore and dubstep in 2010. The simplest way that I can sum these guys up, is that they are essentially a heavier I See Stars. They are very well versed in dropped tunings and gettin' funky with chugging, but they also know how to nail down a poppy chorus and it seems that they have found quite a pleasing blend between electronic and metal. While many elements do sound very familiar and similar to other bands in this scene, Exotype fins a way to add in their own blend at times to stand separated from the pack.

           Let's start with the first track on the album: Stand Up. All in all this song is a solid opener and foreshadows everything on the album. We get to hear a nice heavy opening with very solid cleans from Steven McCorry. This song is very structured and has plenty of different sections and verses to keep listeners entertained for multiple listens. Other than that, this is a very standard song and is one of the most generic on the album. However, there is plenty more to choose from on this album if you are looking to explore this bands unique sound.

          Nanovirus was the first single that Exotype released once they signed on with Rise Records. Back when I first heard it, it reeled me in with an eerie electronic opening that goes straight into some nice mid range screams and heavy guitar tones. The digital effects on this track are almost perfectly mixed. They take center stage at center points and at others, the electronic effects are perfectly placed in the pocket and mix very well with the rest of the instruments. / is one of my personal favorites on the album for a few reasons. The variation of verses is excellent while maintaining a melodic motif that brings everything back together. This songs also contains a kick-ass breakdown around the 2 minute mark that once again blends the electronics with metal to give us one of the heaviest sections on the album.

          The last song that I want to mention is For Those Afraid To Speak. This is one hell of a track. Guttural screams make for an intense vocal track, however this is one of the tracks that best show off Steven's cleans as well. One detail that must be mentioned with this band is their transitions... when they go from a metal section to a chorus with electronics, they actually make it flow. Many bands have been criticized for suddenly switching gears mid-song, but Exotype made sure to include fills and small sections that help ease you into a different sounding part of the song. And while it is a much different feel, it never loses the essence of the song, and all of the tracks sounds very coherent. This track features excellent transitions between the metal sections and a chorus with a gorgeous chord progression.

          If you're looking for a band who has completely re-invented the metalcore genre, then look elsewhere. However, if you'd like to scratch that metalcore itch, Exotype should definitely be a band that you look into. I'm not saying that these guys fall into the mix of generic metalcore bands, I'm just saying that they don't reinvent the wheel. I am quite a fan of this first outing from Exotype and would like to see if they can take their sounds to the next level and try to create an even more unique sound on their sophomore album.

Exotype [Self-titled] = 3.5/5

Check out Nanovirus and the full album stream!



       


Monday, March 31, 2014

Lost Forever // Lost Together - Architects



          Architects have always been at the forefront of the metalcore scene. While not being one of the most known bands, they are definitely one of the best. With this new masterpiece from Architects, they've done it... They have reset the bar for all the bands in this scene and show us what can truly be accomplished in this style of music. Melodic lines are flushed in with sections full of aggressive riffs that truly perfect the modern metalcore sound. Sam's vocals are at their best here with his melodic screams and plenty of BLEHS to bring it all together. It is just a complete and coherent album that puts many of the other bands in this scene to shame with some of their recent work...

          Gravedigger is the first track and damn do these guys know how to start an album. This track kicks in with wickedly fast drums and then drops into some brutal guitar shredding and rhythmic "chug" patterns. Sam's screams sound as great as ever and he truly shines through in the chorus when the melodic line can even be heard through his screaming. This track stays heavy throughout before bringing us to a reprise of the intro and leading listeners into the heavy section of the song to finish it off and leave us wanting plenty more of this sound. Definitely one of the best tracks off of the album. 

          C.A.N.C.E.R is easily the heaviest track on this record. Architects skip the bullshit and take us straight in with some heavy tones that are heard throughout the song. The chorus showcases Sam's unique melodic screams once again while not diverting from their more raw and organic sound. Architects is one of the metalcore outfits that have managed to stay away from "pop" choruses and heavily produced effects which gives them a very natural sound and gives them a great appeal to people who enjoy hardcore and more metal-based music. 

          The Distant Blue is the last track that I'm going to talk about from this album. This one changes it up a bit from the rest of the album, which is understandable because it is clearly meant to be the closer. It features a half time feel with Sam howling at his upper range. It feels like a much more laid back track than the rest of the album which is nice for a closer rather than the typical fade out with a relaxing melodic line. They keep chugging and pounding the drum kit right up until about the halfway point where it becomes very "vibey" and ambient. It's a solid track that is quite popular due to the highs that Sam is able to produce here. 

          I'll be honest... I am very biased towards Architects because they are one of the first bands that brought me to the metalcore scene. However, it is clear that they have changed the game here and reset the bar for all other bands in the scene. Many bands have followed their footsteps but deter from the path somewhere in order to be more accessible, but Architects stay true to their sound and deliver one of the best metalcore albums in many years. Definitely pick this one up if you are into Architects or any bands associated with the metalcore scene. 


Lost Forever // Lost Together = 5/5

Here's one of my favorite tracks off of the album!! (Broken Cross)