Thanks Will. I listen to very little new music these days as I'm busy rebuilding my LP collection and rediscovering so much music from my past but I've stumbled across Holly Humberstone a few times while flipping across XM channels. Each time I've thought "Ok, there's no way this should work for me given I'm a 58 year old guy but there's something here". Now that I've read your review I'm going to have to take the full plunge. Thanks.
Polaris, "Fatalism" - primed to break out in a way that would make Knocked Loose jealous, the band lost their main guitarist and songwriter Ryan Siew at age 26 just months before this was released. Their lyrics have always focused on dealing with depression and anxiety, and some of these songs are a pretty tough listen lyrically after Ryan's passing, but they're the best metalcore has right now. They're what Architects SHOULD have become. And their American tour has sold out more venues than not. They're the next big thing in heavier music. You heard it here first.
The Acacia Strain, "Step Into The Light" - it doesn't get much heavier than TAS, and they prove it again. Strong from the beginning with "FLOURISHING" and ending with the haunting repetition of "There is no life in a coward's grave" from closing track "NONE OF US ASKED TO BE HERE", it's a banger from start to finish.
END, "The Sin of Human Frailty" - the legit heaviest band on the planet defends their title. Will Putney is a gift to the heavy music community with his producing gifts and songwriting. And speaking of Will...
Better Lovers, "God Made Me An Animal" - any band that's 3/5 Every Time I Die, 1/5 The Dillinger Escape Plan and 1/5 Will Putney (END, Fit For An Autopsy, etc) is destined to be good, and they are. "30 Under 13" gets my vote for Song of the Year. Can't wait for them to put out more than a 4-song EP.
Thanks Will. I listen to very little new music these days as I'm busy rebuilding my LP collection and rediscovering so much music from my past but I've stumbled across Holly Humberstone a few times while flipping across XM channels. Each time I've thought "Ok, there's no way this should work for me given I'm a 58 year old guy but there's something here". Now that I've read your review I'm going to have to take the full plunge. Thanks.
My votes from the heavier side of things...
Polaris, "Fatalism" - primed to break out in a way that would make Knocked Loose jealous, the band lost their main guitarist and songwriter Ryan Siew at age 26 just months before this was released. Their lyrics have always focused on dealing with depression and anxiety, and some of these songs are a pretty tough listen lyrically after Ryan's passing, but they're the best metalcore has right now. They're what Architects SHOULD have become. And their American tour has sold out more venues than not. They're the next big thing in heavier music. You heard it here first.
The Acacia Strain, "Step Into The Light" - it doesn't get much heavier than TAS, and they prove it again. Strong from the beginning with "FLOURISHING" and ending with the haunting repetition of "There is no life in a coward's grave" from closing track "NONE OF US ASKED TO BE HERE", it's a banger from start to finish.
END, "The Sin of Human Frailty" - the legit heaviest band on the planet defends their title. Will Putney is a gift to the heavy music community with his producing gifts and songwriting. And speaking of Will...
Better Lovers, "God Made Me An Animal" - any band that's 3/5 Every Time I Die, 1/5 The Dillinger Escape Plan and 1/5 Will Putney (END, Fit For An Autopsy, etc) is destined to be good, and they are. "30 Under 13" gets my vote for Song of the Year. Can't wait for them to put out more than a 4-song EP.