After the Burial - Evergreen (2019)

Sumerian Records, April 19, 2019

Tracklist

1. Behold the Crown

2. Exit, Exist

3. 11/26

4. In Flux

5. Respire

6. Quicksand
7. The Great Repeat

8. To Challenge Existence

9. A Pulse Exchanged

After the Burial's Evergreen is the band's fifth release on Sumerian Records and their first with current bassist Adrian Oropeza. The band has gone through some hardships especially with the tragic loss of rhythm guitarist Justin Lowe, but have remained a key presence in the progressive metalcore scene throughout their existence. Like their previous two albums Wolves Within and Dig Deep, Evergreen is nine tracks long and has a runtime of approximately forty minutes. The group's Meshuggah influence and Trent Halfdahl's technical skill on the guitar is evident and listeners know to expect from an After the Burial album. The opening track and early single, "Behold the Crown", is dominated by pitch harmonics and a single catchy riff pattern, not unlike "Lost in the Static" from 2016's Dig Deep. However, it's the three tracks in the middle that prove to be Evergreen's most interesting moments. "In Flux" is the album's longest track at six minutes long and is one of its best. This song is both impressive in its complex riffs and composition and provides Evergreen with some needed dynamics, ending with a two-minute ambient instrumental section that leads directly into "Respire". "Quicksand" closes and opens with a similarly ambient section, and follows a slower, more ominous pace. It's got a darker undertone to it and builds nicely. "Respire" bookends these two tracks that have ambient sections, and is a more straightforward song that really stands out for its melodic guitar solo and riffs.

Evergreen is a solid technical metal album that doesn't have many issues with it. The drawbacks mainly come down to a lack of variety. Though a couple of tracks change up the pacing or atmosphere slightly, some variation in the vocals or additional dynamics would help the individual tracks stand out more on their own. I also would have liked to hear a track with buildup and release like "Disconnect" in the mix. Overall, while Wolves Within is still my favorite from this band, Evergreen is a very solid release from a band that remains consistent in their output, and earns a score of 8/10.

Killswitch Engage - Atonement (2019)

Metal Blade Records, August 16, 2019

Tracklist

1. Unleashed
2. The Signal Fire
3. Us Against the World
4. The Crownless King
5. I Am Broken Too
6. As Sure As the Sun will Rise
7. Know Your Enemy
8. Take Control
9. Ravenous
10. I Can't Be the Only One
11. Bite the Hand that Feeds

Influential Massachusetts metalcore band Killswitch Engage is known for their positive, often uplifting lyrics and their sound has remained fairly consistent, even with having two different lead vocalists since their incarnation.   Atonement, the band's eighth project overall, is the fifth with Jesse Leach on vocals, and the first under the label Metal Blade Records. Jesse Leach underwent vocal chord surgery and rehabilitation in April 2018.  While the procedure forced the band to cancel and reschedule some shows and pushed back the release of Atonement, it has benefited this album. Jesse's vocal performance is the high point here.  He sounds more versatile and comfortable, and his range and lower register have noticeably improved.The mid-tempo track "Unleashed" opens the album, and is a pretty safe single, as it would fit on Incarnate seamlessly and is structurally similar to "It Falls On Me".  While it is nothing outside the box for the band, it introduces the album well. The next track "The Signal Fire" is much heavier and faster, and features KSE's former frontman Howard Jones.  This track is comparable to classic mid-2000s metalcore songs and is the album's best song.

With Atonement, the best songs are the faster, aggressive tracks like "Ravenous" and "The Crownless King". Most of the mid-tempo tracks are basically more of the same that Killswitch Engage has offered in previous albums.  Songs like "As Sure as the Sun Will Rise", "I'm Not the Only One" and second single "I Am Broken Too" are pretty standard Killswitch Engage and stand out primarily for their positive messages.  Jesse Leach has been a longtime advocate for mental health awareness and the clear message of solidarity and encouragement lets listeners know they are not alone in their struggle.  Now these songs don't stand out too much from the rest of the band's slower material other than "I'm Not the Only One" which is highlighted by the inclusion of brief quiet, melodic guitar chords.

Atonement isn't an album that takes many risks. The songs follow the same format and outside of Times of Grace, Jesse Leach's and Adam Jones' side project, these guys rarely deviate from a formula. However, coming from a band with a sound as recognizable as Killswitch Engage it isn't a necessity for them like it would be for a more obscure band.  While this album may not have an "Always" or "My Curse" it is a welcome addition to the catalog of one of the founding bands of metalcore.  Atonement is a stronger album than its predecessor, Incarnate, and earns a solid 8/10 rating.

Northlane - Alien (2019)

UNFD, August 2, 2019

Tracklist

1. Details Matter

2. Bloodline

3. 4D

4. Talking Heads

5. Freefall

6. Jinn

7. Eclipse

8. Rift

9. Paradigm

10. Vultures

11. Sleepless  

In October 2014, a young vocalist named Marcus Bridge became the new frontman for the Australian progressive metalcore band. He was chosen out of many auditions. Adrian Fitipaldes, the former Northlane singer, had announced his departure - citing health and vocal issues - shortly after the group's second album Singularity. Only 23 at the time, Marcus had recently endured a rough background of childhood abuse and witnessed his sister's spiral into methamphetamine addiction. Growing up with unstable, heroin addicted parents and moving and forth between hotel rooms in Sydney's notoriously violent King's Cross neighborhood, he had endured years of trauma and insecurity. Marcus would start writing Northlane lyrics with songwriter and rhythm guitarist Josh Smith on the band's 2017's album Mesmer, but Alien marks the first point where, with support, he was comfortable and confident enough to fully delve into these topics. As unflinching and honest as it is in its portrayal of childhood abuse and violence, Northlane's Alien is ultimately a survivor's tale. Marcus has said that he hopes this record will also help others who have had difficulty opening up about similar situations, and foster an empathy and acceptance of those with a difficult upbringing.

On Alien, the Australian progressive metalcore band experiments with industrial metal, goes in a heavier direction, and unflinchingly delves into raw and authentic subject matter.  Vocalist Marcus Bridge discusses his upbringing in a violent, unstable household, projecting intensity and emotion over an equally intense musical background.  He's continued to make strides as a vocalist as well.  The two calmer, more ethereal tracks, "Sleepless" and "Rift", showcase the strength of his singing and the emotional weight behind the songwriting.   Tracks like "Eclipse", "Vultures", and "Details Matter" take a sharp left turn from the melodic Mesmer and display Northlane's sound at its fiercest.  Programmer and guitarist Jon Deiley, the writer of the instrumental demos for the album, portrays a brooding, eerie soundscape backing Marcus's cathartic self-disclosure.  While sonically different from its predecessor, Alien is still at its core a Northlane album, and sounds like a logical progression of their sound rather than a complete reinvention.

Alien is a dynamic album and ranges from low tuned djent riffs and a menacing industrial buzz to reflective, haunting passages over electronics.  Despite the subject matter, the goal behind the project was ultimately to show that one can make it out no matter your circumstances.  Marcus has stated that he hopes the album with help those who have experienced similar situations, and foster an empathy and acceptance of those with a difficult or violent background.  "Bloodline", released as a single in April, best describes this message.  On the chorus, Marcus makes a defiant declaration against his violent upbringing as he sings, "I was raised in hell, I made it out by myself." By exploring a new direction within the djent subgenre, Northlane have made something thought-provoking and unique with an important message to tell.  Ambitious, passionate, and purposeful, Northlane have made one of the best heavy albums of the year. Alien is a landmark release for Northlane and earns a score of 10/10.