Wither Away - I Won't Find Hope In You - Album Review

Wither Away - I Won’t Find Hope In You - Independent

Track List:

1. April (Spring Is Coming)

2. Kagune (Ruin Me)

3. Shadow Form

4. I Won’t Find Hope In You (Feat. Ricky Armellino of HAWK) - Single

5. The Town Where Only I Am Missing

6. Persona (Feat. Hotel Books)

7. Dark Room

8. Cherish Your Friends - Single

9. Stigmatized

10. Your Name.

After four years, Reading PA's Wither Away has returned with an ambitious follow-up to their debut EP. This time, they demand to be heard, and I recommend you listen. 

Right away, an interesting note when it comes to the visual representation of Wither Away, in most cases since the start of the band, a pagoda has been a strong structure utilized in their first singles to their debut EP 'The Words We Live By, The Actions We Don't Take.' But now, on the cover of 'I Won't Find Hope In You,' the pagoda is set ablaze. Is it now a symbol of the desecration of inner peace, the destruction of what we believe is valuable in this world, or destroying that part of you that was holding you back? 

It's challenging to put Wither Away into a musical category because they utilize multiple genres very well. At times, there are flashes of an emo-rock band, melodic post-hardcore, or even alternative rock. But what does it all really mean? Really, it means they're comfortable making whatever music they want, and it shows in IWFHIY. From the instrumentation moving from melodic to aggressive to the clean (singing) vocals to out of nowhere uncleans (screams), Wither Away keeps you on your toes and, more importantly, keeps your attention. JJ's vocals are strong while showing weakness in the storyline while weaving multiple vocal disciplines into a cohesive story. The instrumentation is dynamic, drives when needed, and creates an atmosphere integral to making that comprehension through the album.

Tracks range from discussions, almost conversations asking questions of depression, religion, and does belonging even exist? The fourth wall is even broken in the track 'I Won't Find Hope In You' as you're told, "I wish that I was only writing lyrics when I said that I don't like having fun. Depressed but now I see there's beauty in this melody". I recommend listening to the album while reading the lyrics to capture any nuances that may have been missed.

In the track' Stigmatized,' JJ repeats lines towards the end of the track with the solo backing of guitar-only in a melodic fashion. More instruments join in, and JJ's vocals become more pleading and emotional. He screams, "You're dead to me," his last line and almost every other band would kick everything into high gear to either restart the chorus or get one more semi-breakdown squeezed in, but Wither Away doesn't, and instead, play out more melodically and calm. That's confidence in one's musical direction. 

That's one of the keys to IWFHIY, confidence. In every facet, Wither Away has made an engrossing album built like the pagoda with confidence. Confidence in their musical ability to draw you in, keep you on your toes, create an atmosphere, and tell a compelling story.

Not only did Ricky Armellino (HAWK, Ice Nine Kills) mix and produce the album (a fantastic job of keeping tone and ambiance), but he also added his featuring abilities, as did Hotel Books. Both features add an extra layer to the dynamics of IWFHIY and fit in nicely. The only things that ever felt out of place were small autotuned pop flourishes in the final track 'Your Name.'. It's nothing that would ruin the track; it just feels out of place with the tone of the rest of the album.

I have been a fan of Wither Away since their debut EP, but they added another dimension to their abilities with 'I Won't Find Hope In You.' The album's flow is precise, layered, and the balance of singing and screaming is unrivaled. You'll never feel like you're worn out or following the same template set by others. The band has genuinely made something personal of their own and shared it with an audience.

Wither Away has done anything but, with their new full-length release, 'I Won't Find Hope In You.' Make sure you listen and support them. 

Website (Pre-Order/Order ‘I Won’t Find Hope In You’)

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While She Sleeps - SLEEPS SOCIETY - Album Review

While She Sleeps - SLEEPS SOCIETY - Spinefarm

Track List:

1. ENLIGHTENMENT(_)

2. YOU ARE ALL YOU NEED

3. SYSTEMATIC

4. NERVOUS ft. Simon Neil of Biffy Clyro

5. PYAI

6. KNOW YOUR WORTH (SOMEBODY)

7. NO DEFEAT FOR THE BRAVE ft. Deryck Whibley of Sum 41

8. DIVISION STREET

9. SLEEPS SOCIETY

10. CALL OF THE VOID ft. Sleeps Society

11. DN3 3HT

If you don't enjoy CAPITALIZATION, While She Sleeps may not be for you...(kidding, of course)

In their highly-anticipated follow-up to 2019's 'SO WHAT?', Sheffield UK's While She Sleeps seems to not only draw inspiration from their fans but have also created an album specifically for them.

That's not to say that 'SLEEPS SOCIETY,' the new album by While She Sleeps (WSS), can't, and won't, be enjoyed by many, it's just that the very name of the album is the name given to supporters of WSS. Not only is 'SLEEPS SOCIETY' the name of the album, but there's also the title track, and in the track' CALL OF THE VOID,' Patreon supporters of WSS make an actual appearance. If you ever felt like a band created music for you and only you, it might actually be true in this case.

WSS has gone through some significant changes over the years. There have been label structure changes, CAPITALIZATION, but also massive changes in sound. 'SLEEPS SOCIETY,' WSS's 5th full-length album, is a more refined, maybe sharper update to 'SO WHAT?', but they're both very different from 'You Are We' or 'Brainwashed,' for instance. 'SO WHAT?' started the capitalization trend and added a significant amount of electronics and genre shifts. Anyone expecting a straight-up metalcore band, I've got news for you; this isn't them. 'SLEEPS SOCIETY' continues the direction of 'SO WHAT?' with more of a mixture of electronicore, metalcore, nu-metal, and alternative rock.

The start of 'SLEEPS SOCIETY' is pretty unique in that it isn't a short intro track, and it isn't a single. It's actually five minutes and three seconds long, which is a rather long intro in most cases, but it keeps the listener's attention right away, which can be challenging to do with a track that long. 'ENLIGHTENMENT(_)' begins with an uplifting spoken-word call to arms that transitions into a fun guitar riff and hard-hitting instrumentation. The mixture of clean (singing) and unclean (screaming) vocals haven't changed and add a catchy balance, especially in the chorus. The track showcases everything you'll hear in the rest of the album from mixed breakdowns, progressive guitar, uplifting lyrics (albeit with an edge), and heightened genre mixing.

The tradition continues with the following tracks 'YOU ARE ALL YOU NEED' and 'SYSTEMIC.' It'll be tough to not bob your head in unison and imagine how well these tracks will play live when live shows are back. The tracks start furious with quick pacing but then pull back to give the listener a breath before hitting them hard again. "SYSTEMATIC' also really plays well as an updated nu-metal sound.

Things slow down in a way with 'NERVOUS,' a single released earlier and the first track to have a feature. Simon Neil does an excellent job of adding an extra layer to the vocal style of Loz, and the track balances the heaviness and melody well. That's definitely a theme as the album progresses. As mentioned before, there's a lot of genre mixing, emphasizing nu-metal additions, which play well when combined with a metalcore backbone.

'DIVISION STREET,' besides the interlude, is the first significant departure in the sound of the album. It's a piano-backed sing-along that I imagine would be an excellent intermission song live. Easy for fans to sing along to while giving the band a much-needed break. And just like that, it's back to the WSS's sound for the remainder of the album. 'CALL OF THE VOID' could play well on alternative rock radio and could easily be a closing song in a live set. It's anthemic, passionate, and once again, speaks directly to, and with, the listener. But it's also a trick ending...

The final track' ND3 3HT' isn't necessarily a song, but more the band stripping things down and speaking directly to the fans. With the piano in the background and the band members' voices distorted like an old-school, incoming transmission from outer space, the members describe their personal feelings and give their thanks. The track lasts seven minutes and three seconds and may not be one that many listen to again, but for the long-time and biggest fans, this track will mean a lot and have multiple repeat listens. For While She Sleeps, this is the most fitting end to 'SLEEPS SOCIETY' I can imagine.

'SLEEPS SOCIETY' probably won't bring back any fans While She Sleeps might have lost through their changes in sound over the years, but that wasn't the point of the album. With the refinement to 'SO WHAT?' in 'SLEEPS SOCIETY,' While She Sleeps seem to have found precisely the sound they want, but more importantly, the fan base they need. So far, While She Sleeps may have the most interactive band/fan relationship, it seems to bring out the best in the band, which is all a listener can ask for. 'SLEEPS SOCIETY' is a passionate, hard-hitting, dark, uplifting, and possibly a fantastic album to play live. Time will tell, of course, but until then, 'SLEEPS SOCIETY' is an "ode to the fans" that has long-lasting appeal to anyone in the scene.

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Softspoken - Where The Heart Belongs - EP Review

Softspoken - Where the Heart Belongs - EP - Independent

Track List:

1. Sleight of Hand

2. Bones

3. Where the Heart Belongs (featuring Alexia Rodriguez of Eyes Set To Kill)

4. Realign

5. The Road

One of the scene's current trends is for bands to go in a more "pop" direction by taking out or reducing unclean/screaming vocals or adding electronics. One band shaking that notion and forging their path is the band Softspoken out of Kentucky. With their new EP 'Where the Heart Belongs,' Softspoken joins a much smaller group of bands that have added a sense of aggression to their already melodic post-hardcore sound.

Softspoken has always had the melodic part of their post-hardcore style down with previous releases' Pathways' and 'Deaf Perception.' 'Where the Heart Belongs' is no different in that aspect. 'Sleight of Hand' was the first single released back in 2020, and right from the downbeat, you might think you're in for something different. By the second verse, the unclean (screaming) vocals rip through, and you KNOW this is going to be something different from previous iterations. The back and forth between unclean and clean (singing) vocals are balanced very well, and nothing comes off as overwhelming or cliche. 

The EP continues this tradition with some semi-progressive instrumentation, fun riffs, and passionate vocals. From the beginning, Softspoken creates an atmosphere of anticipation that compels you to continue listening all the way through while finding even more moments of connection. There are plenty of times where you'll find yourself singing along with the thoughtful and catchy lyrics and then simultaneously bobbing your head to a catchy beat or banging your head to a drop/breakdown. It's a collection of music that demands multiple listens to pick up on everything you may miss the first time around.

In another unique move in the scene, Softspoken has made the EP available for purchase now while releasing tracks monthly to streaming sites. It's a novel idea, especially since bands' direction seems to focus on only single releases without an EP or album follow-up. It allows fans to support Softspoken and enjoy the entire EP's story or wait for the releases over time. 

For anyone missing the early incarnation of the 'Slaves' sound, Softspoken continues the tradition of passionate and melodic post-hardcore while making it their own. Front to back, 'Where the Heart Belongs' showcases Softspoken's range. Even though the band has released two full-length albums previously, this third release shows that "maturity" doesn't have to mean "stale." There are so much talent and potential in Softspoken, and it's exciting to imagine what could come next. Keep your ears open because you won't want to miss it.

Website (Pick up ‘Where the Heart Belongs’)

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Landon Tewers - Frontal Lobe Submission - EP Review

Landon Tewers - Frontal Lobe Submission - EP - Independent

Track List:

1. Gospel Therapy

2. Kill Me

3. Fuck Pacing

4. Gave My All

5. Just Talkin

6. When I’m Gone

When I spoke about Landon Tewers last, I reviewed his previous solo release 'Withdrawals.' I started the review by saying, "This is Landon Tewers, not The Plot In You." The same holds true here, so I felt it bears repeating. Landon's solo material usually is very different than anything he's done with The Plot In You previously. But this new release, 'Frontal Lobe Submission' (referred to as FLS as we continue), is also different from 'Withdrawals' and continues the dynamic shifts of Landon's varied music career in a pretty significant way.

FLS begins with the first single, 'Gospel Therapy,' which sounds like it could be a b-side of 'Withdrawals.' It's an interesting dynamic as the song starts as one genre and quickly morphs into a bouncy, funky-groove. You know it would get people moving at a live show. It has that element of surprise during the track's evolution that puts you on your back foot. It asks the question, what can possibly come next?

That "next" is the second single, 'Kill Me.' It's a very catchy song when the chorus crashes in, especially for a song begging for death. It's a full and upbeat song you might not be expecting based on the lyrical content, but one you'll find yourself singing along to quickly. The song features the popular Rory Rodriguez of Dayseeker as a great compliment to this melodic and passionate track.

'Fuck Pacing' changes everything up once again as it seems like it belongs in a movie feeling similar to 'Stand By Me.' Then the beat kicks in, and if your shoulders aren't moving, you must be in a confined space. This track features Gabbie Hanna as a duet, and it's exactly what the track needed. The extra layering compliments everything even before the horns kick in. 

Another sing-a-long track is next in 'Gave My All.' Acoustics drive the pace, and some screaming vocals give the song the extra grit it needs. This will be up there with 'Kill Me' soon enough.

'Just Talkin' probably has my favorite line in this EP: 

"...I will never stay consistent. 

No, I will never

No, I will never think the same."

I feel like that line capitulates Landon, especially when it comes to his music projects and prowess. The beat in this track doesn't even come in until around the second minute. The song continues with an R&B/Hip hop flair that culminates with a very, very strange "child" speaking at the end. It wouldn't be Landon without some weirdness, haha. 

The final track, 'When I'm Gone,' could easily be used in a movie where the main focus is hipster drama. It sounds like the perfect suicide note put to music, but the track isn't depressing; the instrumentation lingers on the positive, almost hopeful tone. It's not the cookie-cutter sad acoustic song at the end of the emo/pop-punk album, and it leaves you wanting more. 

If you take out 'Gospel Therapy,' FLS sounds more focused this time around. It'll depend on your tastes what type of Landon's material you gravitate to most. Still, he always has a way of making everything sound unique. Each release is exciting because not only do you have to stay on your toes, but there's also an abundance of quality that goes with everything Landon does. Start your year off right with 'Frontal Lobe Submission' and listen to Landon Tewers stay consistently inconsistent in the best way possible.

‘Frontal Lobe Submission’ comes out Friday, January 29th.

Pre-order/order ‘Frontal Lobe Submission’ and more, by following the links below:

Landon Tewers - Website (Pre-Order)

Landon Tewers - Twitter

Landon Tewers - Instagram

Landon Tewers - Facebook

HAWK - Tolerance's Paradox - EP Review

HAWK - Tolerance's Paradox - EP - Independent

Track List:

1. CLVRMFKR

2. Mileage (1st Single)

3. King With No Survivors

4. Alibi (3rd Single)

5. Counter Ops (2nd Single)

6. Universes

HAWK's debut EP 'Tolerance's Paradox' is undoubtedly no paper tiger.

December can often be a strange time to release music, and with a global pandemic to boot, this December could be the most bizarre yet. In our music scene, one thing that has always baffled me about November and December is that many people already have their "best of the year" lists completed. Nothing is ever in concrete, I'm sure, but every year there's bound to be a surprise release that, for lack of a better cliche, comes out of nowhere. This December is no different as HAWK releases their debut EP 'Tolerance's Paradox' TODAY!

For anyone unfamiliar with HAWK or want some backstory, HAWK is the "evolution" of This Or The Apocalypse (TOTA). "Evolution" is in quotes because HAWK seems to be the manifestation of a band that learned many lessons over its' four full-length album career. After many labels, personnel changes, and sound changes, HAWK has emerged with no label, two original members (Ricky Armellino and Jack Esbenshade), and their debut EP of catchy, post-hardcore/alternative tracks, one of the most exciting and unique of 2020. 

(PS - Drawing a blank? You may have seen Ricky playing guitar and singing back-up for Ice Nine Kills in recent years) 

Even the EP's title, 'Tolerance's Paradox,' is thought-provoking. Knowing the lead vocalist Ricky Armellino, it could mean any number of things:

1. Is it a play off of philosopher Karl Popper's paradox of tolerance, which, to paraphrase, is the concept that to be a tolerant society, you must be intolerant to intolerance?

2. Is Tolerance a person's name, and they have a paradox?

3. Is it just a cool title?

4. Insert more ridiculousness here.

I'm willing to go out on a limb and say that I think it's the first one, and not necessarily because it seems intellectual, but because the saying is often applied to a political climate, and more than one track in this release can be interpreted as political. At least one track (Track 5 - Counter Ops) is blatant in its political message of insurgency. But that's not all the release is, nor should you be "turned off" by music that may have a political statement. Come on; this has Ricky screaming and singing. How can you go wrong?

Each track is uniquely it's own. Today's scene bands may make a "heavy" album that gets them popularity and then completely switch to a "softer" genre on their next release, but this isn't what HAWK has done here. They've mixed genres but made each track so different from the next while still being HAWK. That's not an easy feat to accomplish, especially for a band going through a brand revamp. HAWK's strength comes from mood changes, turn of phrases, and dynamic shifts, while still being cohesive. Each song is catchy in different ways, which keeps the listener interested in a very dense and congested scene. Even the three singles released previously (Mileage, Counter Ops, and Alibi) are tracks you won't want to skip while listening to the entire experience.

From an almost spoken-word opening with a bleeped-out expletive to a Dayseeker-esque closer, 'Tolerance's Paradox' keeps you captivated from front to back and is the perfect introduction to new fans and fans that loved TOTA alike. One thing I can say for sure, 2020 might have been a shit year (for many reasons), but as far as music goes, with the addition of 'Tolerance's Paradox,' 2020 is ending the right way, and the future is nothing but bright.

Make sure to support HAWK in all they do by following the links below:

HAWK - Website

HAWK - Facebook

HAWK - Spotify

HAWK - Instagram

HAWK - Twitter

Tigerwine - Nothing Is For You - Review

Tigerwine - Nothing Is For You - Tooth & Nail Records

1. Anteroom

2. Technicolor Yawn

3. Scarecrow

4. Black Water

5. Salt

6. Wigwam

7. Word Hoard

8. Hiss At The Sun

9. Nothing Is For You

10. Complete

It’s been slightly more than three years since Tigerwine released their debut full-length album ‘Die With Your Tongue Out’ (Blood & Ink Records) and now in 2020, they’ve returned on a new label, but with that familiar Tigerwine sound.

But, not familiar as in, “the same album” again. Definitely not. Tigerwine has embarked on something new, yet familiar. It might sound cliche, but I think you’ll understand when you listen through. There’s no official intro to Tigerwine’s sophomore full-length release ‘Nothing Is For You’, but like many of the songs on the album, there’s a built-in intro to the first track Anteroom. It lures you in with reverberation and repeating guitar picking, which leads to...old-school feedback and distortion! It’s time for some rock! 

Hayden’s voice hasn’t skipped a beat since DWYTO. Haunting at times, delicate at others, and harsh when screaming certain notes. You can hear the passion intensify as songs build (see ‘Scarecrow’ for example). Maybe it’s just me, but the production and instruments feel like I’m in a small bar or club seeing a local rock band play their hearts out. Even though the album can be relatively atmospheric or possibly noise rock-y at times, there’s a rawness the band captures that’s often lost in today’s scene. 

Another topic of note, unlike many bands in the scene, Tigerwine take their time creating an atmosphere for their songs. Nothing seems rushed. Each track is over 3 minutes with many in the 5-minute range, the longest at 6:35. No interludes, or stand-alone intro and outro tracks. You get your breath in the lead-up and then it’s off to the races. In the track ‘Wigwam’, a little more than halfway through, the vocals float away, leaving the mood to settle into drums, guitar, and feedback. The vocals return after the desired effect has taken hold. That tone plays throughout the entirety of ‘Nothing Is For You’ and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Tigerwine’s sophomore offering doesn’t disappoint in the slightest. While keeping elements of DWYTO, They have only added to what they’re capable of in ‘Nothing Is For You’. Less screaming doesn’t mean the element of heaviness has left, it’s just now presented in a different style. This is an album to lose yourself in, to imitate in your garage, or to take in a long and rainy drive with it as your soundtrack. Hopefully, this is only the start for Tigerwine. 

You can pre-order ‘Nothing Is For You’ following the links below. ‘Nothing Is For You’ comes out on Friday, May 1st, 2020 through Tooth & Nail Records.

Tigerwine - Facebook

Tigerwine - Twitter

Tigerwine - Instagram

Tigerwine - Store