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. 

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Convictions - I Won't Survive - EP Review

Convictions - I Won’t Survive - EP - Independent

Track List:

1. The War That Followed Me Home

2. Wreckage

3. The Price Of Grace

4. Teeth

5. Hurricane

6. Everything I Never Told You (Instrumental)

7. Last Cell

Is the scene ready for blistering metalcore therapy? With their new EP, Convictions certainly believe so, and I tend to agree.

Somewhat fresh off their separation from InVogue Records, the newly independent Christian metalcore band Convictions have created a mixture of heavy music and pure emotion that may not have been accomplished before (or maybe not accomplished as well). There have always been tales of sadness in metalcore, that’s well-worn territory, and some bands do it very well. But Convictions haven’t created a concept album of relationship heartbreak (just heartbreak of a different kind). 

Through two years, Convictions performed a series of interviews with friends, family, and fans (maybe somewhat indistinguishable from each other at this point), covering personal stories of survival. The topics range from cancer to suicide, and each track, as you might imagine, hits hard. And in this case, I’m not talking heavy, even though they definitely are. In fact, this may be the heaviest Convictions has been so far in their career. Lead vocalist Mike Felker says it best, “I want to be heavy with intent.” Truer words have never been spoken in this case.

One of the significant parts of ‘I Won’t Survive’ is listening to the instrumentation, dynamic ebbs, flows, and deeply personal stories. You can tell that Convictions chose stories to share that are universal. With all the awful things that can happen in life, there’s a high likelihood that you’ll relate directly to one or more of these tracks. With that connection, the hope is knowing that there are ways to survive that pain and come out the other side stronger, as the people interviewed did. But, if that’s not your style, and you just want to mosh and bang your head, Convictions’ have you covered as well. You can just zone out and let the music do the rest. There’s no way this doesn’t play well live when shows return.

‘I Won’t Survive’ opens up with the single ‘The War That Followed Me Home. A story of PTSD layered with metallic accents, low lows, and a surprisingly catchy chorus for the topic, but that will be a running trend throughout the EP except for the track ‘Teeth’, which is settled right in the middle of the release and is easily the heaviest. No singing/clean vocals, just pure anger. Though it does boast what may be the most positive lyric of the EP, “Through our suffering, we are all connected.” Felker also states that’s it’s almost a summary of the EP and what brings the concept together. 

‘The Price Of Grace’ covers the topic of suicide, something that happened recently to a Convictions’ fan. The story is told by another Convictions’ fan who plays a massive part in the track by adding lines that the band placed in the song itself. In his own words. In his own voice. It’s heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. It’s so well done in the song that you wouldn’t be able to imagine it without it once you’ve heard it. 

Even though Convictions believe this to be possibly their most polished release, working with such an accomplished producer in Andrew Wade (responsible for many scene band’s sounds including A Day To Remember, Motionless In White, and The Ghost Inside, just to name a few) will undoubtedly make that accurate. Still, the album has a raw feeling to it as well, at least in my opinion. And “raw” doesn’t mean “produced poorly” or “lazy.” Maybe it’s how the lyrics hit, perhaps it’s how the vocals land, or maybe it’s the overall combination of everything together, but that “raw” feeling is precisely where it should be. Even with the instrumental track, this is an extremely hard-hitting release on every level. 

Here’s the business side of things. “I Won’t Survive” is a considerable achievement for Convictions and a statement release for a newly independent band. It’s entirely possible that with the support of loyal fans, this could be one of Convictions’ most significant releases, but even if it isn’t, any label who hears it shouldn’t let them stay independent for long. 

And here’s the conclusion. “I Won’t Survive” can be an extremely emotional album. The conversations brought to life are deep and meaningful, and there’s the absolute chance that listening to these songs will be therapeutic and cathartic for many. The connection achieved from band to listener is stronger, possibly than ever before. “I Won’t Survive” is the manifestation of how important music can be. This is an absolute must-listen not only for any metalcore fan but for anyone who wants to hear passion and conviction in their music.

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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.

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A Scent Like Wolves - Mystic Auras - Album Review

A Scent Like Wolves - Mystic Auras - We Are Triumphant

Track List:

1. Pink Dawn (intro)

2. Eastern Lights

3. Telephone

4. Bloom (feat. JT Cavey of Erra)

5. Poison

6. Midnight Eyes (interlude)

7. Deja Vu (feat. Mattéo Gelsomino of Novelists + Sal3m)

8. Death Effect (feat. Brian Wille of Currents)

9. Dissolve (feat. Booka Nile of Make Them Suffer)

10. Aquamarine

Just shy of three years, A Scent Like Wolves return with their sophomore album 'Mystic Auras,' but does it run with the pack or lead the hunt?

Hailing from Reading, a small town in PA, A Scent Like Wolves (ASLW) have continually refined and molded their sound since their debut full length, 'And The Story Goes' in 2013. 'Mystic Auras' continues that tradition with mixtures of post-hardcore, metalcore, and progressive metalcore elements. Not only that, they're one of the few remaining pure dual vocalist bands in the scene. That means 'Mystic Auras' showcases intertwining clean and unclean (singing and screaming) vocal performances from brothers Al and Nick. From soaring highs to bellowing screams, there's plenty of diversity throughout 'Mystic Auras.'

ASLW has always been good at setting the mood in their music, and this is no different, but it's accomplished differently than in their previous material. Each track sounds different from the last while still feeling like ASLW. The musical arrangements vary, not allowing the listener to become bored, while catchy choruses and driving instrumentation keep constant interest in what's coming next. 

A unique trait of 'Mystic Auras' is the willingness to diversify and emphasize features from the scene. Utilizing features is often a missed opportunity in post-hardcore and metalcore. Unlike pop, hip-hop, and other genres, features are used sparingly, but that's not the case with ASLW. Out of the ten tracks, four have features. That's 40%! Easy math even I can do! 'Mystic Auras' boasts features from some heavy hitters from ERRA, Novelists, Currents, and Make Them Suffer! That's an impressive lineup, and each makes an impact and adds an extra layer to their track. 'Dissolve,' which features Booka from Make Them Suffer, is worth an additional note as it's the first almost ballad-style music ASLW has attempted. It certainly pays off (minus a little shoe-horning at the beginning (😜).

My only minute gripe with 'Mystic Auras' is that out of ten tracks, two of them are an intro and interlude (that's 20%). Really, it's only because ASLW always leaves you wanting more. More dual-vocals, more driving instruments, more heavy-melody. It's cliche, but you want even more of the story.

One of the best parts of ASLW when listening to 'Mystic Auras' is the feeling that they're making the music they want to make. Their music feels like the identity they want, and sometimes, that can be rare in a scene of trend followers. Even though they're very good at mixing genres, you don't feel like it's overwhelming or forced. It's a natural progression of the journey they've been on for almost ten years. In that way, they'll always be leading their own pack with 'Mystic Auras.'

Make sure to support A Scent Like Wolves by pre-ordering ‘Mystic Auras’ and following/listening at these links:

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