Guitar Solo

Week 5: Bring Me the Horizon- POST HUMAN: SURVIVAL HORROR

~ honestopinions19 ~ Leave a comment

I have been listening to the band from Leeds (I was pretty shocked to discover that until a bit of interaction with the crowd during a Download Festival in 2014.) towards the end of last year. In the first few days of the current year, I watched some of their gigs combined via the playlist function on YouTube. I also watched one of their recent shows from last year (I say current; it was last February or something.) Now, onto the album…well, as you can see, the title isn’t all that cheery, and when you listen to the record, it synchronises with the title. The subject matters are gritty, too, as the band talks about right-wing politics, addiction, mental health, political correctness, and how the world has become dependent on technology. I was instead struck by the odd choice of having less than ten songs, with the album having just nine, which makes for a relatively quick listen. What it loses in length makes up for it in collaborations, being just under half of the record. It also sees a return to the band’s earlier sound with experimental chucked in for good measure.

The opening track, “Dear Diary”, has an air raid siren thrown in, which one could say is quite apt when you consider the album’s title. You can also hear leading vocalist Oli Sykes declare he can’t stomach any more survival horror and is going insane over the heavy metal guitars. The guitar solo is sublime, which comes in after the first chorus, and the frenetic tempo of the drums will be sure to have you headbanging like Beavis and Butt-Head (Funnily enough, I was watching a football match while listening, and the pace of the play matched the speed of the album.).

I remember hearing some of the tracks being teased in 2019 and 2020 during their shows (Especially “Ludens”, which I might talk about a bit later.). I am next going to focus on “Teardrops” because this one comes from the heart, and Oli doesn’t hold back, and he talks candidly about his years of fighting addiction that led to him becoming depressed and suffering from anxiety. This could well be another turning point in a listener’s life because Oli foretells what it is like to feel rock bottom and how your life is slipping away, and you are just numb. We have the typical Bring Me the Horizon sound to match Oli’s distressed yet passionate vocals with heavy guitars and those hooks that get embedded into your soul every time you listen. With Oli talking about such an ordeal, this song will be the most essential song they have written in a long time. Young people will listen and feel encouraged to see health professionals if they are experiencing the same issues. Hopefully, that will lead to them losing the shame of discussing it with their friends and family. “Obey”, however, is a more uplifting track but laced with sarcasm as Oli and Youngblud aim at the shambolic British government.

I did like “Itch for the Cure (When Will We Be Free?)”, but it’s a segue into “Kingslayer”. It is quite simply a transition because both tracks have Pendulum-like Drum n Bass sounds. The Su-metal feature from Babymetal more than matches Oli’s acidic vocals, bringing an anime feel.

Now, the title is something of a mouthful: “One Day the Only Butterflies Left Will be in Your Chest as You March Towards Your Death.”…You see? It’s a bloody long title and could be more pleasing to read. But, despite my love of the Pendulum-Esque “Kingslayer”, the final track with Evanescence’s Amy Lee runs away with the victory. Considering her vocals on “Bring Me to Life” by her band Evanescence, Amy Lee is ideal for this. The song has a very hymnal sound that gradually blossoms into slower pop. I love the vocal combination; you can feel how both got into character. It’s not a conventional Bring Me the Horizon song; it is more suited to Evanescence, but it is pretty beautiful despite the title and the ghostly aura.

Song recommendations: “One Day the Only Butterflies Left Will be in Your Chest as You March Towards Your Death”, “Teardrops”, “Kingslayer”

8/10

Week 47: AC/DC- PWR UP

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It’s quite funny, really, when you consider that Kylie Minogue was number one last week, and this week is the turn of some more of Australia’s finest musicians. These are the best bands and musicians out of Australia, and it’s none other than AC/DC. Yes, there may be English and Scots among the band, but they were founded in Australia (A friend of mine lives not far from one of the former member’s burial place in Perth.) Who isn’t a fan of AC/DC? I might have discovered them after the infamous shirt worn by Butt-Head. Still, after my curiosity, I found I enjoyed listening to their…let’s use Cricket terminology for this (As it’s one of the huge sports in Australia) all-out attack sound, like a Baggy green slogging away out in the middle at every possible ball and sending it either to the boundary for four or striking it into orbit for a maximum. This is the band’s 17th studio album and sees the return of leading vocalist Brian Johnson since his hearing operation and replacing the current touring vocalist, Axl Rose (Yes, that one. Mind you, he was on good behaviour in AC/DC. Probably because Angus Young promised he would kick his fucking head in if he pissed about by turning up late onstage et cetera.) Brian looked like he wasn’t going to return after the news that his hearing was so bad that if he carried on performing, he would go entirely deaf. However, he says his hearing is better than ever and announced his return earlier in the year. 

Here is my track-by-track review:

Realize:

From the off, the album has that typical AC/DC attitude to tee the listener up for what they are to expect for the entire listen.

Rejection:

This could be the second single off the record with its catchy guitar riff, and I can certainly see this being included in the setlist when the band can take it out onto the road. It is a tour-ready anthem and one that will get the crowd singing their hearts out.

Shot in the Dark:

The band released this as the leading single, and you can tell why when hearing it. It fits perfectly into that AC/DC wall of sound.

Through the Mists of Time:

Yes, it may be more relaxed initially, but it progressively builds. From a steady rhythm, it grows into the usual rock melody they adopt, complete with a chorus that gets into your head.

Kick You When You’re Down:

Hmmm…this track surprised me with its roots in blues. It’s not a usual AC/DC track (Unless I’m missing something?) with its signature blues riffs that will have the listener moving their head rhythmically. Will it be used on tour? Probably. Even though it is blues, the song is quite uplifting, and it appears, just by listening, that the band had a lot of fun recording the song.

Witch’s Spell:

AC/DC at their best with Brian’s powerful vocals and Angus’s signature guitar riffs. Not to mention the strong rhythm section to back them up and give them that all-round sound.

Demon Fire:

It is a very energetic track with Brian showcasing his vocal talent by going into the lower range, experimenting with different tones, Angus backing him up with a blues riff, and once again the rhythm section adding the panache.

Wild Reputation:

Again, this track doesn’t start as an AC/DC one but does gradually. Initially, it is very soft, with the rhythm more relaxed to match Brian’s vocals. I don’t know if the band recorded this as they reached the end of the session, but it is more mellow than the album. Respite for the listener, perhaps?

No Man’s Land:

Intriguing. In quick succession, the record’s tempo is mellower and very much inspired by country music. It could make it onto a country compilation in years to come.

System Down:

Ah, they have found their muse again and gone full-on rock with this traditional AC/DC track with Brian’s howling vocals and Angus going schizophrenic on the guitar with his riffs and solos. Not to mention the catchy chorus. There’s nothing to say about the rhythm section I haven’t already said so far because everyone knows what makes an AC/DC song.

Money Shot:

A stunning bit of play by Angus on the axe is the highlight of this track and the whole album. This is Angus Young showing his wizardry on the guitar. For the most part, the song is ready, but Angus lights the fuse when he does the solo.

Code Red:

It is a superb way to close the record, and for that reason alone, it will be included as a set closer as they disappear off-stage before returning for the encore. Upbeat and hopeful.

Song recommendations: “Realize”, “Money Shot”, “System Down”.

9/10