This German project's album opens with a great deal of bombast. Sebastian Biesler, screams out his vocals in a very groove-minded manner. There are hooks, and the energy is kept pumping with the explosive nature of their brand of this high-energy scene-core that is almost like a more aggressive version of Linkin Park. "S3X" is like an emotional nu-metal power ballad. The vocals are hookier than those on the opening track. They are back into nu-metal for "FSU" which stands for fuck shit up. It is an anthemic urging to do so while painting the town in melodrama. Lyrically it makes me wonder if this is supposed to be a concept album why does this so quote the Joker?
A great deal of credit goes to this album's producer who really dialed everything in. Almost to a fault as is conforms to the musical climate rather than breaks new ground. Also, I think there would be more legitimacy in an album about the trials of the party scene in Berlin, than the hazards of trying to make it in Hollywood, since they did not grow up in Hollywood, or live in that scene. Don't think their work visa lasted long enough for that. But hey that is me just nitpicking things like reality. Reality is that pesky thing they are singing about escaping on "Valerie", which is another strong pop song, making them another band who feels more honest making dark pop music than trying to get hard.
"Black Cloud" took multiple listens before I paid attention. It is argued that projects like this evolved from Marilyn Manson in the blend of angst-ridden sleaze glam and post-industrial nu-metal. However, Manson was so legit in what he did that he is currently dealing with the fallout from that lifestyle while kids like this raging from their gender-fluid safe spaces in a manner that does not have Manson's real-life edge, he made androgynous more confrontational. The hush tense whisper that is less rapped than what Ghostmane does returns as a vocal color when the pop vocals prove more effective. Their screaming continues, but there is nothing that makes me believe it, leaving me waiting for more pop since that is what I can take most seriously.
"Taken By Flames" is a pretty straightforward thrasher that reminds me a little of Testament. The "title track" is really just the intro to "Stolen Hope" . "Blood" goes harder than the other songs, despite the radio hook chorus. If this is your first time reading this blog and you do not know anything about the other bands I cover here, you might think a song like this is heavy. I am not convinced, I am convinced by a band like Benighted or Nails. "Murder' took a couple listens before I paid attention to it. "Helena Drive" is an example of a band that is capable of doing what works best, leaving the two previous songs, as an example of a band who is not self-aware enough to realize this direction is not who they are. I will give this album a 7.5, as I just summed up the struggle this act deals with. Out March 22nd on Century Media Records. An oddly more mainstream-minded release for the label.
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