Bleed : "s/t"

This Texas band takes you back to the 90s in a weird, unexpected manner.  By unexpected, this does not mean I have not already seen the writing on the wall when it comes to nu-metal making a comeback. These guys just go about it differently. The flourishes of DJs spun, scratched ambiance at the edges of their throb point this band's sound in the direction of nu-metal. There is some darker tension to the grooves that the vocals coo over. The drummer is really slapping his kit as needed, and the electronic elements ebb and flow into their sound pretty seamlessly. 

They cost into more of an intense shoe-gazing for "Through the Cylinder". There is the bouncing stomp of the nu-metal that makes a slight return on the heavier riffs of "Killing Time," though the verses are more dedicated to melody. The screamed vocals are in the background, and just jump out like a man in a mask trying to scare you at a haunted attraction. This album is more atmospheric and moody than it is dark. By the time we get to "Marathon," the more Deftones-like formula leaves less mystery. "Cynical" finds the drummer locking into a more nu-metal vibe, with the vocals as the only element to break from that, though the guitars are not super low tuned and more of an ambient element than crunching. Though they do come together in the second half of the song to dig in before the bass line takes over. 

Things get heavier for the explosive moments of "Enjoy Your Stay". The drummer is pushing the song to where it feels like a car careening out of control. "Slip" finds the vocals getting into more of a pocket with the groove, though they are generally another layer of ambiance. There is an interesting breakdown, but the song is one of the album's more straightforward moments. Based on what I have heard of the new Turnstile, I can hear these guys being the less poppy alternative. Then the switch things up the most yet with "Shallow," which is a wise move as things were becoming a bit uniform. "Take it Out" is the most riff-oriented song of the album. I think the way this album is produced plays to the song's favor.  While they are doing a certain sound, they care about writing songs, and are different enough to stand out, this all boils down to a really fun listen that embraces nostalgia without being weighed down by it, I will give this album a 9, and see how it grows on me. 

pst195