According to the record company this quartet are post-hardcore, while to me they come across as metalcore, which shows just how useless some of these labels are! What is not in doubt is that this is a band who are following in the steps of bands like Atreyu, bringing in a lot of melody and strong vocals (as well as secondary far harsher singing), combining this with well thought out lyrics (there are songs about depression etc). The music is jagged, and there is a real passion about them, with lots of space to allow them to pump in the energy when they need to. The production has definitely been aimed at commercial radio, as there is an impression that what is heard on the album isn’t what they will be like in concert – it is as if the top edge, bite and aggression has been removed so as not to frighten the punters.

The end result is an album that is going to find them a lot of fans, but whether there is the real depth to keep them satisfied is another matter altogether. The album does tend to wash over the listener, but I am also very aware that this is one of my least favourite forms of metal so it does have to be something outstanding to really make an impression on me, and this one simply doesn’t. Apparently they have gained quite a following in their first year of existence, and there are lots of people eagerly awaiting this release, it’s just that I’m not one of them as while it is okay, to my ears it can never be any more than that.

Rating: 5/10

Links:
https://www.ourmirage.de/
https://www.arising-empire.com/