The fifth album by one of my favorite doom bands. Each album has been a gradual progression away from doom into what has culminated into the opening track of their new album "Mind Burns Alive". Campbell is using a great deal of restraint and taking a more vulnerable approach to his singing. It is not until the song's end that it gains any time of heavier dynamic. It took a couple of listens to this song before it finally clicked with me, as the first listen found me having to adjust to the change.
Things get marginally more metallic going into the title track. A gray melancholy hangs over the song, but it feels more like doomy rock than doom metal. The verses are sung in a more hushed manner. He does belt it out a little more when things get louder. There is a more hopeful guitar melody that shines out of this before it does get metal in time for the guitar solo. The lyrics are darker than the music on this one.
Campbell's voice sounds great on "Signals". But great in the sense that you are hearing another side of it. This shows growth as a singer. The song has a pleading introspection, building up for them to kick into a more rock dynamic. I am not sure I would call it metal. Three songs in and it's clear the songs are excellent, but are they excellent Pallbearer songs? If it were not for the sprawling eight-minute arrangements, these songs could be played on mainstream alternative rock radio.
An acoustic guitar opens "Endless Place", after a minute of reluctance they bring power chords that show they have not altogether forgotten who they are. it is more in their wheelhouse, though on the more melodic sides, with the drums leading the guitars into a lumbering labyrinth. Campell projects his voice in a manner that puts more guts into it. There is almost a post-Empire" Geoff Tate quality to his voice when it comes to the tonal placement. This song wanders off into a more progressive place that works well with the band's current direction. The saxophone works really well here, and not the instrument you would normally associate with them. They build this song well to reach more of a sonic climax.
"Daybreak" finds Campell digging deeper into the vulnerability he has showcased earlier in the album. This time it is pushed perhaps as far as they could go, as it is not unlike the early emo bands like Mineral or Elliot. The fuzzed-out guitars do come, as Campbell puts his diaphragm back into it. It continues to carry more hope than despair, perhaps they are smoking less weed and taking medication? When they do go back to a more familiar sound on the last song, it is weird because they have already led you so far away from that. It is nice to hear the angular signature of the doom riffs, and more depressing qualities being emoted. This song is interesting as it unfolds, taking you into a dark place, before ending the album on a heavier note. I will round this up to a 10, it pretty stunning, and while I would normally be more resistant to this kind of change it is hard to argue against something this effective.Dropping May 17th on Nuclear Blast.
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