LOATHE : "A Stranger to You"

 

The last time I checked out this band, they were blending nu-metal with metalcore, so let's take a listen to how their sound is evolving. The first actual song finds them collaborating with Static Dress, who we just reviewed. This is not surprising, as Static Dress was also a nu-metal band. It blends shoegazing verses with more explosive Slipknot-like dynamics. It works well enough; nothing groundbreaking here. Prodciuition wise the album sounds good as there is a big layered mix."Fortress Down" fnds melodic vocals holding things down but sitting further back in the mix, while there is a tapestry of sonci chaos unfolding with the drums making sense of things.

"Gemini" is more aggressive and abrasive, with harsh vocals taking over. It's almost too noisy given the nature of the mix, where dynamics work better when the song has a more spacious feel but feels cramped in this context. Electronic elements become more prominent as the song progresses. "Harder to Pretend" is more electronic nad atmosphereic but needed to break things up. "Revenant" finds them bringing in NOWHERETORUN. It is driven with a heavier, more deliberate thump. This is maringally predictable, but given the nature of this album's unique mix, it captures this differently. Guitarist Mnasur Brown joins the band for "The Way". The song can draw comparisons to Deftones with its ambient ballad feel. 

"Meet My Maker' hits harder, but does not forsake melody, yet how the vocals sit on the harder groove of the guitar will draw further Deftones comparisons. The drumming is great on this one. "Fangs " is moodier though not darker; this album really isn't that dark at all. The vocal melody on the chorus is rather hopeful." The Ladder" is a more commercial pop song. It is well written, though not sure how well received by their current fan base it would be. Jordan Rakei is adding his voice to the mix to further this feel. 

They come back from this with the crunchier stomp of "Gifted Every Strength that contrasts with the previous song with its screamed vocals. It's longer than most of the songs on this album, and they cram more into but not in a manner that flows as well as what htey have done leading up to this. Though five minutes in, they slow things down and take on a jammier tone. The last song leads off with a more shoegaze feel. It is more melodic, but feels a great deal like what htey have already done on this album.I will give this album a 9; it works for what they are doing and adds some forward-thinking ideas regarding how they bring these songs to life.  

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