Germany has embraced metal-core, and the brand of Myspace spawned emo-metal mid-2000s, which found the rise in popularity. This band would be huge if they came from the UK or America. "Dead Dreams' is your typical nu-emo anthem, but the moodier verses to "When I'm Gone" prove to be more impressive dynamically. The nu part being dug into with the more hard-core riff they dig into as the song progresses. "Pull the Tooth" finds them continuing to use broad strokes of atmosphere and melody that play to the favor of their songwriting and sets the stage for their more pop punk choruses. It is hooky and well done, so there is something to be said for what they are doing. It might not be the most original thing I have heard in the bigger picture. It is impressive that the singer sounds like he is from California, and this is done in a manner where you might never suspect these guys are from Germany.
"Perfect Trajedy" is more upbeat, and sounds like it came from the pop punk days of Myspace with its bigger arena rock guitar sound. Not my thing mood-wise, but they are doing a good job of creating it, and the vocals have more nuance to them. This nuance is a pop inflection that might be overdramatic for some, but it works for what they set out to accomplish here. It's around "I Just Feel Worse" that things begin to sound the same, causing the songs to run together and increasing the need to go back and give another listen to find the more standout elements. "I Just Feel Worse" starts off with a Sleep Token mood and ends up closer to Volbeat. On one hand, this means there is a big well well-produced quality, on the other hand, it's not that heavy and more accessible.
Much of this has to do with the songwriting formula the band is invested in that offers more melodic possibilities leading into the song, then explodes into stadium-ready pop punk. I begin to notice a Post Malone-like tremble in the vocals during the more emotive sections. Some nu-metal-like riffs creep in. Despite the almost rapped-like cadence to the vocals on "Coma" things being to feel a little bland. "Phantom" starts off more like a ballad. Sleep Token comparisons could be drawn in this regard. The chorus vomits Lisa Frank all over the mood, and feels like they are conforming to a bigger picture. 'Am I Awake' is a nu-metal power ballad for Gen-Z. The song is poppier with programmed drums, and an emphasis on the vocals in the verse with a big chorus, which might have dynamics but also follows a formula to the letter. These guys are good at what they are doing, for my tastes as this album progresses, what they do grow further away from what I am into so I will give this album an 8.
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