Sleep Token fans are living in the best timeline right now. Only two weeks after the release of their first two largely-successful singles “Chokehold“ and “The Summoning“, the band is back for more. One track was a big enough surprise, but twice is twice as nice. Does the band capture lightning again so soon? Let’s jump on in and discuss the new Sleep Token song, Granite.
Sleep Token – Granite
Sleep Token take things back to the melodic, dark, and seductive side of the band with this one. Granite is easily one of the band’s catchiest songs to date, and that is saying something. The track is a trap-beat layered song reminiscent of past tracks like “Dark Signs” and “Descending” but with more attitude.
Granite features heavenly backing vocals that levitate Vessel’s haunting vocal delivery throughout the track. While the verses are great in itself, the R&B inspired chorus steals the show in this track. It is seriously addicting and I already had it stuck in my head upon first listen.
Like with “Chokehold“ and “The Summoning” the energy is still here despite the calm nature of the track. Just when it seems like this is going to be one of the floaty chill songs from the band’s discography, Sleep Token prove this song can still go to another place.
Similar to how Sleep Token brought the heavy at the end of their heavenly track “Levitate” the band deliver a devastating breakdown before the last chorus and it scratches a major itch. So far Sleep Token seem to be finding a masterful balance between their diverse sounds with their new material.
It is safe to say that Granite is destined to be another hit for the band, and I am here for it entirely. Sleep Token have done it yet again with Granite!
Sleep Token – Take Me Back To Eden
After the release of the previous singles “Chokehold“ and “The Summoning” I reported that a full-album may be following. With the release of yet another track from the alleged tracklist with Granite, I believe it is safe to say this is indeed the case.
Take the album details with a grain of salt however, as there is no official announcement as of writing. However, Genius has posted a tracklist that was correct about the existence of all three tracks so far.
The album listing on Genius also includes a tracklist that can be found below. If this is legitimate – and in the right order, it seems that the band is releasing songs in tracklist order. Could we see Sleep Token release Aqua Regia tomorrow? Only time will tell.
Sleep Token – Take Me Back To Eden Tracklist:
Chokehold
The Summoning
Granite
Aqua Regia
Vore
Ascensionism
AYROK
The Apparition
DYWTYLM
Rain
Take Me Back To Eden
Euclid
Once again, take this tracklist with a grain of salt. While we now know that Chokehold, The Summoning, and Granite do exist, it is still possible that this is not the final tracklist.
I will update the Take Me To Eden tracklist and album information as more information is available.
Regardless, I am excited to see what comes next for Sleep Token, and I am incredibly happy with all of the new material.
Need More Sleep Token In Your Life?
Sleep Token – This Place Will Become Your Tomb Track-By-Track Album Review
Need more Sleep Token in your life? I highly recommend you my This Place Will Become Your Tomb track-by-track album review. In this in-depth review I breakdown Sleep Token’s sophomore attempt piece by piece and track by track. This was easily one of my favorite albums of 2021, and if you want to know why then click the link below.
There you have it! Sleep Token have kicked off 2023 in a huge way by releasing three singles just in the first month of the year. This hard work has paid off well, as the band have grown massively in streaming numbers in a very short amount of time.
Fortunately this growth will only continue with the release of Sleep Token’s new songGranite. With each release we are getting closer and closer to official confirmation of their upcoming album Take Me Back To Eden. Worship.
Periphery have delivered on releasing the first two singles from their upcoming record Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre. After five days of teasing and three more days of waiting for the releases, the new tracks are finally here, and they totally live up to the hype. The new Periphery singles are Wildfire and Zagreus, and both are lengthy and heavy bangers.
Let’s jump on in and discuss both of these singles in detail.
Periphery – Wildfire
Wildfire is the primary single released and the first track from Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre. So not only is this one of the first songs chronologically released from the record, but also the introduction to the album in general.
I state that Wildfire is the primary single because it is the track that is first to receive a music video. The Wildfire music video is releasing this afternoon, and I will update this post to include it as well.
Now let’s get into the wild track itself. The appropriately titled Wildfire is an onslaught of a track. It is one of those rare lengthy tracks that doesn’t get old for a second.
Wildfire switches from a heavy banger, to a jazzy jam session, so video game ambiance. I love the progressive nature of the track, and the genre bending is pulled off masterfully across the track.
Another noteworthy addition to this track are the incredibly deep growls from vocalist Spencer Sotelo. He has teased these growls sparingly in previous tracks like “Flatline” and “Follow Your Ghost”, but in Wildfire these vocals are displayed loud and proud.
Overall Wildfire is a fantastic track and a great way to start of the album.
Periphery – Wildfire Music Video
Periphery just released a music video for Wildfire to accompany the release of the track. The music video is a straightforward performance of the band ripping the banging track in a industrial warehouse. The video is also features with occasional shots of the band playing in a hallway of a dim-lit house.
While the Wildfire music video is simple, I do appreciate the close-up shots of the musicians playing their instruments. Additionally, I love the style of Spencer Sotelo in this video. The band brings an attitude to the shoot that matches the song well, as has me excited for future live performances of Wildfire.
During the jazz-break portion of the song, there is a bit of a fourth-wall break, as the footage cuts to guitarist Misha Mansoor watching a performance of the saxophone being played for the track. This is a great part of the track, and I am glad it was highlighted in the video.
Periphery – Zagreus
As if the dynamic seven-minute Wildfire wasn’t enough, Periphery decided to spoil their fans by releasing a second track “Zagreus“.
Zagreus is a different beast in itself. The track is easily one of the heaviest Periphery songs out there, without sacrificing the progressive and melodic elements the band excels so well at.
Despite how heavy the track is, it has a huge chorus. I always wished that previous lead single “Blood Eagle“, from “Periphery VI: Hail Stan“, had a sung chorus, and this time Periphery deliver.
With Zagreus, the band hit that rare perfect balance between heavy and melodic that make for a perfect progressive metal banger. Additionally, the track is also over eight-minutes in length and it doesn’t get old or repetitive at all.
I can’t decide what my favorite part of this track is. I am torn between the brutal deep-low screams and pig-squeal by Spencer Sotelo, or the fantastically done melodic element in the latter half of the track. Regardless, these two pieces complement each other well, and mix together to form the perfect Periphery track.
PS. Hades fans might hear something a bit familiar in Zagreus.
Periphery Juggernaut References In Wildfire And Zagreus
Fans of Periphery’s Juggernaut double-concept album are going to be very happy with Wildfire and Zagreus. Both songs feature many references to Juggernaut songs such as Four Lights, Omega, The Event, and more.
Some of these references are lyrically, while others are reinvented versions of riffs from the Juggernaut record. I won’t spoil them here, and I encourage ever fan to listen to the new Periphery tracks and listen for these exciting Easter eggs.
As a huge fan of both Juggernaut: Alpha and especially Juggernaut: Omega, I really enjoyed these references and I can’t wait to see what awaits on the full album. I will likely write a full article going over all references found on the album after the full release.
It is possible that Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre is a spiritual successor of sorts to the Juggernaut records, but only time can tell if this is indeed the case. The record could also be a love letter to the entire history of the band.
I can’t wait to see what theories evolve as this album cycle is rolls out.
Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre Album Details
Want to know everything there is to know about the upcoming Periphery album “Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre“?
Check out this post that goes over the album announcement including the release date, tracklist, and more. I also go over some rumors and information regarding the record.
There you have it! Periphery have kicked off the P:V era with not one, but two incredible singles all in one day! Both Wildfire and Zagreus live up to the hype in their own right, and I am so excited to hear more. It seems like the new record is shaping up to be one of the most cohesive records in the band’s discography.
Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre is one of my most anticipated albums of the year, and I can’t wait to review the album in full upon release.
What did you think about Wildfire and Zagreus? Let me know down in the comments.
Sleep Token are climbing right now! After the widely successful and viral release of their fantastic new song The Summoning, Sleep Token Spotify monthly listeners are up an impressive 100,000.
The band went from averaging around 280,000 monthly listeners to 393,000 as of writing. This is incredibly impressive considering their upcoming album has yet to release, and the singles have only been out for a few days now.
It is worth noting that this number is rising rapidly, and it likely out dated. The Summoning itself has over 522,000 streams on Spotify alone since its release only four days ago
Update: As of day 5, Sleep Token monthly listeners are now up to 455,745, and streams for The Summoning are now at 793,088. It seems that the hype for Sleep Token is only just getting started.
Update 2: Sleep Token cannot be stopped! The band is now at 508,095 monthly listeners on Spotify, and The Summoning alone is at over 1,000,000 streams. This is a huge feat and I am excited to see where this goes from here.
Update 3: As of the release of Sleep Token’s third single “Granite” and two weeks since the release of “The Summoning”, Sleep Token have amassed over 953,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. This includes reaching over 3,000,000 plays on The Summoning alone. They will likely cross over the one-million mark any day now, which nearly quintuples their original monthly listener count.
Why Are The Sleep Token Spotify Monthly Listeners Increasing Right Now?
Sleep Token has a loyal and dedicated fan-base, but monthly listeners strictly account for one person at a time. So why are so many new listeners flocking to Sleep Token right now? As mentioned previously, this is all due to the viral success of their new track The Summoning.
The momentum of this hype started with the initial surprise single drop of Chokehold, but the following second surprise drop of The Summoning kicked the hype up drastically.
The Summoning has been a large subject for reaction channels and Twitch streamers. The song has even gained some attention on TikTok. This is mostly due to both the massive breakdown at the beginning of the track and shocking jazz session at the end of the track.
The reception for the Sleep Token fanbase has been very positive, and new fans are becoming welcomed with open arms. Many fans are even taking the time to recommend other great Sleep Token tracks to new fans.
The Summoning And Chokehold Are The New Most Popular Sleep Token Tracks
Both of Sleep Token’s latest singles, Chokehold and The Summoning, are now at the top of their Spotify page right now, and are noticeably their most popular tracks.
There is no doubt that in due time these two tracks will have more streams than anything else in the band’s discography.
I can only imagine that once more singles are released, Sleep Token will only gain more monthly listeners and streams overall.
What Comes Next For Sleep Token?
Sleep Token fans have been feasting lately, and this has the rumor mill running wild!
While more new singles have yet to be released, I did discuss the current singles and also what may be coming next in my most recent video.
Please join me in discussing the current state of the band by checking out my video down below.
In this video I breakdown both Chokehold and The Summoning. Additionally, I also go over current rumors regarding when we might see the next couple of tracks from Sleep Token’s upcoming album, Take Me Back To Eden.
You can find the video on my Youtube channel or just by clicking here.
Closing Thoughts
There you have it! Sleep Token have kicked off 2023 with not one, but two incredible singles. Between The Summoning and Chokehold, it is safe to say that the Sleep Token Spotify monthly listeners increase was well deserved. Now we just need to kick back and wait for official confirmation of Take Me Back To Eden. Worship.
Periphery are back baby! That’s right, after five days of teasing on social media, the band have officially announced their upcoming album, Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre. Don’t get distracted by the silly name however, as the album is rumored to be one of their best to date.
Let’s breakdown everything we know about Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre.
Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre
After five days of teasing, Periphery have announced their upcoming record “Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre“. Upon announcing the album Periphery had this to share:
“Yes, it’s really happening! This Thursday, January 12th, we’ll be releasing not one but two singles from our forthcoming new album, Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre. The release of the singles, “Wildfire” and “Zagreus“, will be accompanied by an album pre-order. There will be 3 different LP variants available as well as a complete line of album-themed merch items. All can be ordered individually or as bundles. You can pre-save the singles here: http://lnk.to/p5-wildfire“
Check out the link above to pre-order Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre.
Everything We Know About Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre
Not much is known about Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre, but there have been many teasers showcasing heavy vocals and instrumentation as well as orchestrated elements. Nothing new for the Periphery camp, but fans can rest easy knowing these fan-favorite aspects return for P:V.
Fortunately, two singles “Wildfire” and “Zagreus” will be releasing on January 12th, 2023. So fans should be able to get a good taste of some of the many sounds found on the record.
Additionally, Veil of Maya vocalist Lukas Magyar had this to say in regards to Spencer Sotelo’s vocal performance on Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre:
Alright, hear me out…
If you're a vocalist in the metal genre and your name isn't @SPENCESOTELO you're about to be really upset. This man just changed everything.
Considering Lukas is a fantastic vocalist himself, it sounds like we are in for a treat.
Lastly, Periphery is very well known and acclaimed for their lengthy tracks like Racecar, Omega, and Reptile. Fortunately, it sounds like there are some to come. Jake Bowen reportedly mentioned on stream that tracks on the new album run long. This is sure to be exciting news for fans.
You can find the tracklist and release date for the album down below.
Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre Tracklist
1.Wildfire
2. Atropos
3. Wax Wings
4. Everything Is Fine!
5. Silhouette
6. Dying Star
7. Zagreus
8. Dracul Gras
9. Thanks Nobuo
Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre Release Date
The release date for Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre is March 10th, 2023, and the first two singles “Wildfire” and “Zagreus” will be releasing January 12th, 2023.
It is a great time to be a Periphery fan!
Periphery Wildfire And Zagreus Singles
The wait is over! Periphery have officially released Wildfire and Zagreus, the first two singles for Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre. Both tracks are dynamic and progressive tracks that are equally heavy as they are beautiful.
There you have it! That is everything there is to know about the upcoming Periphery album “PeripheryV: Djent Is Not A Genre“.
After nearly four years of waiting, we are finally getting new music from Periphery. I am excited for the singles Wildfire and Zagreus, and I will definitely be covering their release following this upcoming Thursday, so stay tuned!
Are you excited for Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre? Please share your thoughts down in the comments.
Sleep Token keep the spoils coming. Only 24 hours after the release of their atmospheric track “Chokehold“, the band release a second single “The Summoning“. One track was a big enough surprise, but twice is twice as nice. Does the band capture lightning again so soon? Let’s jump on in and discuss the new Sleep Token song, The Summoning.
Sleep Token – The Summoning
Sleep Token have done it again. The Summoning is nothing short of a progressive metal masterpiece. Somehow surpassing the incredibly high-bar placed by the first surprise single “Chokehold“, the track is equally brutal and heavy as it is melodic and funky.
The most impressive feat is how neither of these sounds take away from the other. The collective entirety of the 6:35 run-time of this magnum opus is delightful and works so well together. Sleep Token has never pulled off a song so headbang worthy and dance worthy all at once.
Like with “Chokehold“, everything is kicked up to 11 for The Summoning. The instrumentals are devastating (intro and breakdown) and groovy (outro), all while Vessel delivers his best vocal performance to date. Additionally, the screams featured within this track is the best that have been displayed in a Sleep Token song to date.
The breakdowns are masterful and impossible not to headbang through. The progression within the track is utterly wild as well. Going from blast beats to funk is no easy task to pull off. It is safe to say that The Summoning is destined to be a fan-favorite from Sleep Token.
It is a bit early to tell, but The Summoning may just be my new favorite Sleep Token song. It is safe to say that the upcoming record is shaping up to be another incredible entry into the Sleep Token discography.
Sleep Token – Take Me Back To Eden
After the release of previous single “Chokehold“, I reported that a full-album may be following. With the release of The Summoning, I believe it is safe to say this is indeed the case. Take the album details with a grain of salt however, as there is no official announcement as of writing. However, Genius has posted a tracklist that was correct about the existence of both tracks.
The album listing on Genius also includes a tracklist that can be found below. If this is legitimate – and in the right order – Chokehold may just be the intro track to the album. This would make sense, as the beginning of the track screams “intro”, and it would fit well as an opening track.
Sleep Token – Take Me Back To Eden Tracklist:
Chokehold
Euclid
Take Me Back To Eden
Rain
DYWTYLM
The Apparition
AYROK
Ascensionism
Vore
Aqua Regia
Granite
The Summoning
Once again, take this tracklist with a grain of salt. While we now know that Chokehold and The Summoning do exist, it is still possible that this is not the final tracklist.
Additionally, I have seen a different order listed in social media, and the other order makes more sense to me as of now. That tracklist placed The Summoning directly after Chokehold, which I think is great. I will update the Take Me To Eden tracklist as more information is available.
Regardless, I am excited to see what comes next for Sleep Token, and I am incredibly happy to already have two brand new tracks from the band.
Sleep Token Fans Are Feasting Right Now
Sleep Token fans are absolutely feasting right now! Join me in discussing the latest singles from the band and what might be coming next.
In this video I breakdown both Chokehold and The Summoning. Additionally, I also go over current rumors regarding when we might see the next couple of tracks from Sleep Token’s upcoming album, Take Me Back To Eden.
You can find the video on my Youtube channel or just by clicking here.
Need More Sleep Token In Your Life?
Sleep Token – This Place Will Become Your Tomb Track-By-Track Album Review
Need more Sleep Token in your life? I highly recommend you my This Place Will Become Your Tomb track-by-track album review. In this in-depth review I breakdown Sleep Token’s sophomore attempt piece by piece and track by track. This was easily one of my favorite albums of 2021, and if you want to know why then click the link below.
Yesterday I covered the first single from Sleep Token’s upcoming album. If you missed it or want to know my thoughts on the track, check out the post below. The first surprise was amazing enough, and I am in absolute shock that we were blessed with another song today. This is a great week to be a Sleep Token fan.
There you have it! Sleep Token have kicked off 2023 with not one, but two incredible singles. Between The Summoning and Chokehold, it is safe to say that Sleep Token may just be building up to releasing one of the best albums of the entire year. For now we wait for official confirmation of Take Me Back To Eden. Worship.
Sleep Token fans – including myself – have been speculating and waiting for a new track to drop ever since the band started sending out emails featuring new art with symbols and runes. Further fueling the rumors, one email from Sleep Token mentioned “new offerings” would be coming in January. Fortunately, Sleep Token did not keep fans waiting, and their new single “Chokehold” is here!
Sleep Token – Chokehold
Chokehold starts off with haunting and unsettling synths similar to the ones from Dark Signs from the band’s first record “Sundowning“. However, the sounds in Chokehold are much more sinister and disturbing sounding. Soon enough, Vessel’s crooning voice kicks in, and I must add that he sounds incredible here.
After a slowburning start, a breakdown hits fast and suddenly, switching up the style of the song drastically. This caught me off guard and I loved it, the cruncy and bouncy instrumentation during the breakdown has me thinking that Chokehold is destined to be a fan-favorite track at live rituals.
The second verse is similar to the first verse except there is more instrumentation present, and I like the atmosphere this adds to the track. Chokehold builds upon itself as the song goes and it keeps it sounding fresh for the over five-minute runtime.
Sleep Token have 2023 off to a good start when it comes to music, and I am so excited for whatever comes next. Speaking of which, let’s discuss that.
*UPDATE* Sleep Token have released another new single! Check out my coverage of The Summoning here.
Sleep Token – Take Me Back To Eden
Previously I mentioned that Sleep Token started an email campaign leading up to the release of Chokehold. Well within these emails a phrase of interest was noticed and has been a major point of discussion online and in the Sleep Token Reddit.
The phase was “Take Me Back To Eden“, and it seems like this may have been more than just a random quote. It has been reported that on Genius an album attached to Chokehold has been found. This album is potentially titled “Take Me Back To Eden”, which brings the cryptic emails full circle. There is no confirmation if this is reliable, so consider this all speculation for now.
The album listing on Genius also includes a tracklist that can be found below. If this is legitimate – and in the right order – Chokehold may just be the intro track to the album. This would make sense, as the beginning of the track screams “intro”, and it would fit well as an opening track.
Sleep Token – Take Me Back To Eden Tracklist:
Chokehold
Euclid
Take Me Back To Eden
Rain
DYWTYLM
The Apparition
AYROK
Ascensionism
Vore
Aqua Regia
Granite
The Summoning
Once again, take this tracklist with a grain of salt. While some of these titles sound pretty on-point, some may be far from perfect. Regardless, I am excited to see what comes next for Sleep Token, and I am incredibly happy to already have been music from the band with Chokehold. If more comes next, that is just even better.
Sleep Token Fans Are Feasting Right Now
Sleep Token fans are absolutely feasting right now! Join me in discussing the latest singles from the band and what might be coming next.
In this video I breakdown both Chokehold and The Summoning. Additionally, I also go over current rumors regarding when we might see the next couple of tracks from Sleep Token’s upcoming album, Take Me Back To Eden.
You can find the video on my Youtube channel or just by clicking here.
Need More Sleep Token In Your Life?
Sleep Token – This Place Will Become Your Tomb Track-By-Track Album Review
Need more Sleep Token in your life? I highly recommend you my This Place Will Become Your Tomb track-by-track album review. In this in-depth review I breakdown Sleep Token’s sophomore attempt piece by piece and track by track. This was easily one of my favorite albums of 2021, and if you want to know why then click the link below.
After reporting on Chokehold, the very next day Sleep Token released another banger of a track. The next single “The Summoning” is a brutal, funky, dynamic, and progressive track that has to be heard to be believed. Check it out my thoughts on the track down below.
There you have it! Sleep Token have kicked off 2023 with a bang with their dynamic new track Chokehold. Whether an album is coming or not, the band surely have my attention. Only time will tell what comes next, but I am incredibly excited regardless. Worship.
New band name, who dis? The highly-anticipated album “TEKKNO” by metalcore superstars Electric Callboy is finally here! Fun-loving metalheads around the world have been waiting for a new full-album by Electric Callboy ever since their monumental hit “Hypa Hypa” hit the scene. The band hit their stride and released several hit singles since, but are they able to keep the momentum going for a whole record? Let’s discuss it in this Electric Callboy Tekkno Track-By-Track Album Review.
FFO: One Morning Left, We Butter The Bread With Butter, Motionless In White, Attila
Listen to: Pump It, We Got The Moves, Tekkno Train, Mindreader
Electric Callboy is:
Kevin Ratajczak – unclean vocals, keyboards, programming
Can you name a better way to start off an energetic album than with a heavy gym-worthy banger? “Pump It” is no warm up intro, the track goes hard right out the gates. In hindsight, this track sets up the whole mood and attitude for “TEKKNO”. With this track, Electric Callboy don’t hold back for a single moment. Pump It is a banging from start to finish. With one of the strongest choruses on the whole album and punishing verses and breakdowns to back it up, this song takes the successful format from “Hypa Hypa” and previous TEKKNO single “We Got The Moves” and runs with it.
Pump It is the love child of 80’s synthwave and “gym playlist bait” metalcore. Electric Callboy are at their best when they are having fun and incorporating comedic elements into their tracks. The themes they come up with here and there are hilarious, and the “gym bro” was the perfect parody for this track. The best part of the band’s parodies are that they tease the subject matter, yet fully embrace it at the same time. This creates a track that is funny and enjoyable to listen to at the same time.
This track released last December and I did not find any urge to skip it while listened through TEKKNO. Pump It feels as fresh and energetic as when it first released, which only shows a testament to the fun formula that Electric Callboy have crafted. Nearly half the singles -most being from the first half of the record – were already released months ago. This was a risky move by the band, but fortunately it seems that their tracks haven’t aged a day.
We Got The Moves
We Got The Moves – Electric Callboy
This is the first track Electric Callboy wrote following the massive success of “Hypa Hypa”. Tensions were high and so was the hype. It was almost unreasonable to assume the band would strike thunder twice (at least of that level). Fortunately, the band surpassed expectations and proved that they have the moves. “We Got The Moves” proceeded to set a whole new bar for the band’s future music and sound. The heavy anthem quickly became one of the band’s biggest tracks, and it paved the way for “TEKKNO” as a whole.
We Got The Moves is a full on party and a perfect follow-up from Pump It in tracklist order. Electric Callboy keep the heavy in full swing. This track is chunky and chuggy and the riff is absolutely addicting. The party-going chants throughout the track are a lot of fun as well. Thankfully the band released a music video to compliment such a fun and wild track (posted above). The chorus in this track isn’t quite as glorious as the one in Hypa Hypa, but the song is a summer banger nonetheless. The riff and heavy verses carry the track for me.
Like Pump It before it, We Got The Moves released quite some time ago. This track was one of the (late) songs of the summer in 2021, and fortunately it hasn’t aged a day. I found myself enjoying this track all over again while listening through TEKKNO. Typically I prefer older tracks to stay off the record if the single release is over a year apart from the record, however We Got The Moves fits in very well with the rest of the tracks on the record. I give Electric Callboy a pass on this one, however, I do wish the album was a little bit longer to account for these older singles taking a spot on the record.
Fuckboi (feat. Conquer Divide)
Fuckboi (feat. Conquer Divide) – Electric Callboy
This is easily one of the most divisive songs off of TEKKNO. This doesn’t mean the song is bad by any means though. Fuckboi is the first single from TEKKNO that deviated from the typically Electric Callboy formula. This is an understatement too, as the song isn’t just different from most of the band’s tracks, but it is an entirely different genre. Rather than synthwave influenced party metal, Fuckboi is more in line with modern TikTok pop-punk.
The song also features one of the few guest features on the album. Conquer Divide join Electric Callboy to create this pop-punk anthem. Despite the shocking change in sound, I actually really enjoy Fuckboi. I appreciate the change in sound accomplished on this track, and I think the band pull it off quite well. Conquer Divide mix well with the band and help bring out this drastic change in sound. This is just a fun track that might just tease what other sounds the band may dabble with in the near future.
As someone who grew up listening to All American Rejects, Good Charlotte, and Avril Lavigne before getting into metal and metalcore, I appreciate this nostalgic sounding track. Electric Callboy and Conquer Divide did a great job combining nostalgic early 2000’s pop-punk with the modern style you’d find on TikTok. The band ventured out and tried something new (for them), and respect them for it.
Spaceman (feat. FiNCH)
Spaceman (feat. FiNCH) – Electric Callboy
Anyone else get some major “Dayman” vibes from this one? I can’t help but think that Electric Callboy have been watching too much “Always Sunny In Philadelphia” (as we all should be of course). That’s honestly all I can think of whenever I hear “Spaceman” come on. However, I am a huge fan of the show, so this is a very fun reminder. Spaceman is the third single from TEKKNO and it is also the first time on the record that the band utilized German lyrics.
These German lyrics are spit by German rapper FiNCH, and while his appearance is quite jarring at first, I appreciate his feature. The rap verses help separate this song from “We Got The Moves”, which is very similar to Spaceman in style and format. This is the only other feature on the album, and it is interesting that the two tracks are positioned back to back on the tracklisting.
Overall, Spaceman is a fun song with a fun music video. However, I don’t think it is any better than some of the other singles off of TEKKNO, but what do I know? The track is currently the top Electric Callboy track on Spotify.
My running theory is that the band prioritized viral music video potential as the main reasoning for selecting singles for this record. The themes are evident with all the singles on the album. If this is the case, I think it was a smart call. The band now have over 1.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and this quick growth can be attributed to the band’s viral content.
Mindreader
Mindreader – Electric Callboy
At track five we are finally at the first new track from TEKKNO!
Right when it starts to seem like the Electric Callboy formula is getting predictable, the band throw in a refreshing pallet cleanser. “Mindreader” is a serious track with a beautiful and catchy chorus and a crooning and moody vibe to it. It has kind of a goth rave vibe to it, and I absolutely love it. The song is heavy, dark, beautiful, and it even has some of those synthwave elements thrown in there. This track honestly surprised me, and it was a great reminder that the band isn’t all jokes and memes.
Electric Callboy are at their best when they are being fun and silly, but TEKKNO is a full-length record, and this diversity in style and sound is appreciated at this mid-point of the record. I really love Niko as a vocalist and I find that all their material since he joined the band is top-notch, however I specifically admire his performance on Mindreader. He sounds comfortable and confident in this performance, despite the song being quite outside the realm of comfort for the band’s sound. Kevin also brings the heat on this track, and it is great getting to hear him let loose on the heavy without the comedic undertones.
I predict that Mindreader will be a fan-favorite and a setlist mainstay. I think the mid-way placement of this track is perfect, as it acts as a pallet cleanser and has you ready for some more Electric Callboy fun. Fortunately, that is exactly what you get with the next track.
Arrow of Love
Arrow of Love – Electric Callboy
This track is a love letter to those who love the romantic vibes of “Hypa Hypa”. With “Arrow of Love” you get another 80’s influenced banger that is not afraid to embrace the synthwave vibes. This track sounds exactly what “TEKKNO” encompasses as a whole. The song is a well-balanced catchy anthem with its fair share of heavy metal moments. This isn’t the best Electric Callboy song, nor is it one of the best on the record, but I still really enjoy it and find it to be a lot of fun. It reminds me of past song “MC Thunder” a bit and I do love that about the track.
Arrow of Love fits in exactly where it is. I think it works well as a mid-way track that embodies the overall sound of “TEKKNO”. The song is like a synopsis for the band. 80’s, love, rock and roll, synths, and breakdowns. It is Electric Callboy at their most simple and there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, this may just be one of the catchiest songs on the record. Sometimes simple is good!
This track is the latest to get a music video, and I must say that the music video is a blast and adds a ton of personality to the track. The Arrow of Love music video features Kalle Koschinsky from the music videos for Hypa Hypa and MC Thunder II (Dancing Like A Ninja). Like MC Thunder before it, the song features a new character to the Electric Callboy lore(?). The music video has Kalle shooting often angry individuals with his love gun, spreading his love to everyone. As always, the music video is great and makes me love the song that much more. Hopefully we get one more music video for TEKKNO at the very least.
Parasite
Parasite – Electric Callboy
If you liked “Mindreader”, you’ll absolutely love “Parasite”. This is another dark and heavy serious track – even more so actually – that sandwiches “Arrow of Love”. This track was another pleasant surprised. I could hardly comprehend that this was the same band from earlier. Parasite sounds like like if the classic Electric Callboy track “Crystals” met Bring Me The Horizon’s “Parasite Eve”.
In Parasite,the dark rave vibes from Mindreader are back but taken to a greater extreme than what we heard on that track. The synth behind the instrumentation is unsettling, but in a good way. It really sets the mood and tells you right off the bat that this track is going to be different. The chorus is still catchy as always, but it carries a different tone than what we get from the rest of the record.
Parasite is easily the traditionally heaviest track on “TEKKNO“, we even hear some gnarly lows from Kevin leading up to and during the massive breakdown. The breakdown is headbang worthy and reminds me off the final breakdown from “Hypa Hypa” but heavier. While I love Electric Callboy for their refreshingly carefree and fun attitude, I can’t help but love it when they get angry and serious. This is great placing on the tracklist too, as the band gets down and serious right before the silliest song on the entire record.
Tekkno Train
Tekkno Train – Electric Callboy
If you love the silly side of Electric Callboy, this might end up being your favorite song from “TEKKNO”. The boys don’t even try to take themselves seriously with “Tekkno Train”. This is the band at their most belligerent and hilarious. The song is full of sex references, corny jokes, and deep growled choo-choos (yes, for reals). At one point Niko sings “you make my spaggheti ready”, but spaghetti gets soft when cooked. I have no idea what they meant by this, but I love how goofy it is.
I like to think of Tekkno Train as the direct sequel to “Hypa Hypa” with a little taste of “We Got The Moves” and “MC Thunder” on the side. The track starts with some 80’s synths that sound very similar to the start of Hypa Hypa, but the verse is layered with a deep beat reminiscent of We Got The Moves. The song also contains sexual lyrics and references, which further tie it to Hypa Hypa. The track goes full circle with a hilarious bridge and brutal breakdown. Hypa Hypa may not have made it onto the album, but Electric Callboy more than made up for it with Tekkno Train.
Honestly, I hope Tekkno Train gets a music video. I can really see them creating a funny video for this inevitable fan-favorite. Perhaps they could even bring back the costumes from Hypa Hypa and make the perceived connections canon. I personally would love to see that. This is probably my favorite non-single from TEKKNO, which is saying a lot because this album is all killer, no filler.
Hurrikan
Hurrikan – Electric Callboy
This track is easily the bost bipolar song Electric Callboy have ever made. The song disguised itself as a “German Schlager” love song. The music video only exaggerates this image, with Niko and Kevin dressed up in all white while on a boat in the ocean. Honestly though, the German Schlager portion of the track slaps. Nico sounds great and they pull it off very well. I actually wish the song was longer. Additionally, the song is sung in German, and the translated lyrics are raunchy as hell. Check it out if you want a kick.
However, the song doesn’t stay poppy for long. Like a hurricane itself, at only a minute in Hurrikan drastically changes into deathcore mayhem, with Electric Callboy throwing down the heaviest breakdown of their entire discography. The music video does a great job at showing this change visually, and I won’t even try to describe it further myself. Just check out the absurd music video above.
The music video really brings a whole new meaning to Hurrikan. It may have seemed like an old single choice, but if my theory is correct, the band knew what they were doing. The music video was a hit in the scene and caught millions of viewers off-guard. Is anyone creating music videos as memorable and viral-worthy than Electric Callboy?
Neon
Neon – Electric Callboy
The closing track off Tekkno is another serious one. “Neon” is the song that happens when Electric Callboy channel their inner Michael Bolton and Living Things-era Linkin Park at the same time. Overall the song works well, especially as a closing track. I find the track to be well-written and the verses are fantastic. My only gripe is that I find that Niko sounds a little uncomfortable and uncontrolled in the belted portion of the chorus. I appreciate the effort though, and it isn’t bad by any means.
I actually really admire that Electric Callboy got out of their comfort zone and put out a different type of song to close out Tekkno. While Neon is probably my least favorite track from the album, I still appreciate the effort and I definitely enjoy the track.
Closing Thoughts
Electric Callboy went through a lot the passed couple of years. They got a new singer and a new band name. However, all changes ended up being for the better. The band has truly come into their own, and now with TEKKNO, they have released their best album yet. In fact, TEKKNO is may just be my favorite album of the year so far.
At the very least, TEKKNO is proof that metal doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. This album made me laugh, put a smile on my face several times, and even had me headbanging track-by-track. That is a major win in my book!
While the album is short and half of the tracks were released as singles months before the release of Tekkno, it is definitely all killer, no filler. The band sounds tight and complete in this new chapter, and I think Electric Callboy are here to stay. Keep metal fun and wild boys!
Final Verdict: 10/10Ready Spaghettis
Need More Electric Callboy In Your Life?
Need more Electric Callboy in your life? Revisit “Hypa Hypa” and the seven hilarious other version that the band released with the MXX: Hypa Hypa Edition EP. I go over every version of the banger in the post below.
Need more metalcore in your life? I recommend you check out my Bullet For My Valentine self-titled track-by-track album review. The classic metalcore alumni recently released their return-to-form album. The band showcase a sound reminiscent of their early sound, and the record contains some of the best tracks of their career. In the article, I breakdown each and every track from the band’s exhilarating new record in-depth. So check that out down below if you’re interested!
What did you think of my Electric Callboy TEKKNO review? Did you enjoy the new album? Please share your thoughts down in the comments.
Nightlife are back with the song of the summer yet again! Following the massive success of the band’s debut single and EP “new low”, the band are here to prove it wasn’t a one-time thing. It was tough to predict what nightlife would do next after such a fantastic breakout single, but fortunately the band strike gold yet again with “fallback”. The single debuted with a music video, and another track appropriate titled “nightlifetypebeat“. These aren’t the only two songs nightlife are back with however, as the tracks are part of the five-track EP “fallback” coming late next month. Fan reception for the new tracks have been overwhelmingly positive, but I am sure no one familiar with the band is surprised. Jump into the article for further information on the new nightlife EP “fallback” along with the setlist.
nightlife – fallback
nightlife – fallback (EP)
nightlife fallback Tracklisting:
1. nightlifetypebeat
2. fallback
3. fool me once
4. hard for me
5. no pleasure
nightlife – fallback EP Release Date And Details
The new nightlife EP “fallback” is already almost here! The EP is slated for release August 26th, 2022.
I was excited to see “fallback” and “nightlifetypebeat” drop, but I had no idea a collective EP was fast approaching. This is a pleasant surprise and an exciting one at that. Frequent readers of my content will know that “new low” was easily one of my favorite songs of the last year, and I can already tell that nightlife are securing a high spot on the list yet again. It is a great feeling to fall in love with a new band right out the gate, and it is an even better feeling to see them progress and grow.
Speaking of which, let’s discuss the two tracks from “fallback” that just released, and how they push the envelop for such an already promising act.
The Lead Single – fallback
fallback – nightlife
The lead single and title track from “fallback” is exactly what fans were hoping would come next. The song takes the sound from “new low”, but pushes it in an entirely unrecognizable direction. The funk and soul from the previous EP is all there, but there isn’t a single redundant element found within the track. As much as I love nightlife, I did wonder if their fresh sound would have the same effect after releasing additional music. Fortunately this concern was invalid, as “fallback” is as exciting as ever.
Hansel Romero delivers an incredible vocal performance on “fallback”, and the chorus is hooky and infectious. I can’t get enough of this track, and I can already tell that this one will be on repeat for the whole summer (and longer). While Hansel is a fantastic vocalist, nightlife is not a one-person band. The instrumentation is the secret sauce that brings the whole thing home. The funky tones and jazzy rhythm creates a heavy sound that could allow the band to join in on heavier alternative tours, all while making music accessible to the masses. The sky is the limit for nightlife, and they are just getting started.
The music video for “fallback” has all the positive energy and vibes of the “new low” music video. I really love the attitude nightlife displays in their videos, and it brings in another level of depth to the band. I for one am glad to see another artistic and infectious music video by the band. Here is to hoping they have more coming soon. This attitude is fresh amongst the scene, and I am totally here for it.
The EP Intro – nightlifetypebeat
fallback music video – nightlife
Anyone else love when an intro track sounds like an intro track? If so, you’ll love “nightlifetypebeat”. When I first heard the track without context, I thought it was a bit weird (in a good way) and experimental. However, upon learning that this track is the first track on an EP, I can appreciate it even further. Now this track is the opposite of the “new low”. While last year’s hit single was an over five-minute anthem, “nightlifetypebeat” is short and experimental.
The track starts off with an explosive energy and a fantastic vocal run. The song is appropriately titled, as this track is definitely a “nightlifetypebeat”. After less than a minute, the track fades into silence before popping off yet again into an explosive chorus. Like I explained previously, the song is not what I expected, but I dig it a ton. I find it to be a fantastic opening track, and I can’t wait to hear it in the context of the whole “fallback” EP.
Need More nightlife In Your Life?
Want more nightlife while waiting for the “fallback” EP to release next month? Well there is more nightlife content to discuss!
If you’re new to the band and missed their “new low” EP from last year, I highly recommend you check it out. Down below you’ll find my introduction article from when I first discovered nightlife. Within the article I review the band’s first EP and discuss the background of the band. The full article can be found below.
Are you excited for the new nightlife ep “fallback”? I know I will be counting down the days till August 26th, 2022. Please share your thoughts on singles and the upcoming EP down in the comments.
Eskimo Callboy have been killing it lately. This summer they released their addictive and groovy track “We Got The Moves”, and now the boys are ready to get the juices pumping this winter. “Pump It” is the latest whacky track by the band, and it may even be their wildest song yet. The song is heavy enough to genuinely assist in lifting those heavy weights at the gym, yet is also fun and dancey enough to fit in with tracks like “Hypa Hypa”. Jump into the article for further information on the new Eskimo Callboy track “Pump It”.
Eskimo Callboy Pump It
Pump It – Eskimo Callboy
The music video for “Pump It” is – as usual – absolutely hilarious. The band yet again sport some iconic costumes that fit the theme of the track. The song isn’t all fun and games though, as it is a genuinely heavy track suitable for any workout. The energetic track is self-aware, on-point, and matches the tone of the band’s previous hits. The track could even surpass “We Got The Moves”. No formal announcement has been made regarding a full album, but the band did mention that they would be releasing an album in 2022. This new Eskimo Callboy album will contain both of the previous 2021 singles, and hopefully many more bangers that hold up to this established quality.
Metal Shell Reacts To Eskimo Callboy | Pump It
Want to see what I thought about “Pump It” in real-time? Please check out the video below to see how this album blew me away!
Metal Shell Reacts to Eskimo Callboy | Pump It
Need More Eskimo Callboy In Your Life?
Need more Eskimo Callboy in your life? I highly recommend you check my article on their previous track “We Got The Moves”. The track is very similar to “Pump It”, but it isn’t redundant in the slightest. Both tracks are hilarious bangers that have me hyped for the band’s upcoming record.
Additionally, if you loved the band’s 2020 track “Hypa Hypa”, I highly recommend that you check out my article discussing every single remix on their “MMXX: Hypa Hypa Edition” EP. The EP is full of unexpected renditions of the band’s hit track, including an amazing deathcore remix by We Butter The Bread With Butter.
Are you excited for the new Eskimo Callboy album in 2022? I know I am! Please share your thoughts on “Pump It” as well as the upcoming record down in the comments.
Trivium have been busy! Only a year following the release of their critically-acclaimed album “What The Dead Men Say”, the band return with yet another epic record. When I say epic, I mean it literally. “In The Court Of The Dragon” Is a concept record with the band creating their own mythologies and medieval lore. The nine-track long record continues the return-to-form established on the previous record, but the band take the idea even further. The album is more in line with the band’s fourth record “Shogun” than anything they wrote since. However, does this thrashy and heavy record hold a torch to the albums of the band’s past? I discuss if the band capture lightning in a bottle twice (in one lockdown) in the current review. So let’s jump on in and break it down in this Trivium In The Court Of The Dragon track-by-track album review.
FFO: Bullet For My Valentine, Killswitch Engage, All That Remains, Avenged Sevenfold
Listen to: In The Court Of The Dragon, Feast Of Fire, A Crisis Of Revelation, No Way Back Just Through
Trivium nail exactly how a concept album should start. “X” is a short introduction track that sets the mood for the medieval themed record. The title track and first single for the album, “In The Court Of The Dragon”, has an aggressive and sudden beginning, so I can appreciate the buildup here. The intro track sounds like something you would hear in World of Warcraft or Lord of the Rings. Godly chants can be heard amongst the slowly progressing instrumentation. The intro concludes with a fitting dragon like roar before exploding into the title track for the record.
In The Court Of The Dragon
In The Court Of The Dragon – Trivium
The buildup was definitely worth it. “In The Court Of The Dragon” is a perfect single to showcase the album. The title track represents everything contained within this epic concept record. The song is full of heavy verses, a triumphant chorus, wild instrumentation, world-building lyrics, and medieval influence. When I first heard this track Trivium immediately had my attention. While there is a lot to admire about the track, it is the chorus that steals the show for me. However, this chorus would not stick the landing as well if the verses were not so heavy and exhilarating.
Additionally, I really enjoy the drum work throughout the song, but especially within the chorus. It adds some heaviness to the melodic portions that add to it in an exciting way. I find that everything just works together on this album in a beautiful way that makes it a standout record of the year. This is even more impressive when you consider that Trivium just released “What Do The Dead Men Say” only last year. The band seem to have no shortage of ideas, and I am here for it. So what does the rest of the album have in store? Well the title track definitely represents the album well, so if you enjoyed this single, you’re in for one hell of a ride.
The music video for “In The Court Of The Dragon” is interesting as well. It features an extended version of the track that contains the intro track “X” as well. I highly recommend checking it out above if you want to see a solid visual representation of the record.
Like A Sword Over Damocles
Like A Sword Over Damocles – Trivium
If “In The Court Of The Dragon” was (somehow) not heavy enough for you, don’t fret as “Like A Sword Over Damocles” is a new heavy fan-favorite. The track immediately starts off with some teasing blast beats followed by a threatening riff before exploding into an onslaught of thrashy instrumentation. Vocalist Matt Heafy shows off some melodic yet catchy screams throughout the verse. I particularly like the end of the verse when he gets a bit more aggressive with his vocals. The chorus of this track is far more medieval sounding than the previous track (and maybe the majority of the album as well). At first it was a bit weird to me, but it absolutely fits the tone of the record.
“Like A Sword Over Damocles” only gets heavier as it runs. The track even features an infamous metalcore “Blegh” at the 3:18 mark. The whole minute following is full of heavy instrumentation and solos that make this song a treat for Trivium fans. This track does a great job at showcasing the talented instrumentation the band is known for. If you aren’t sold by the last two tracks, this album is likely just not your cup of tea.
I am impressed that the band not only are able to write a concept album lyrically, but they really captured it within the sound as well. This adds a sense of meaningfulness to me, and it gives the record its own identity. Granted, I have always visualized Trivium’s music as sounding more medieval in nature, but “In The Court Of The Dragon” takes this to the next level.
Feast Of Fire
Feast Of Fire – Trivium
“Feast Of Fire” is without a doubt my favorite song from the record. The track isn’t as heavy as the last two, but it is contagious and energetic all the same. I think Matt sounds great throughout the whole track. It is definitely the catchiest song and safest from the record, but I think Trivium nail it here. The verses mostly consist of singing, but the end has some screams added to it. The underuse of screams in this track only adds to the effectiveness of them when they are utilized. I admire the band for being able to release such a heavy record, yet still feature an arena-ready anthem that fits right in with the rest of the record.
The chorus is the star of “Feast Of Fire”. I have been hooked since the first time I heard it. I think it may even be one of the catchiest choruses of the year. Despite the chorus sounding huge, it doesn’t carry the weight of the track all on its own. The verses sound great and set the mood for the track, and there is also a radical breakdown and solo in the bridge of the track. When the most accessible song on the record is still this heavy, you know Trivium are bringing the heat.
The final chorus adds some fantastic backing melodies that make it refreshing. Just as the track seems to be coming to a fitting end, the band fire out a short final breakdown. I truly admire the energy contained within “In The Court Of The Dragon”, and while this more radio-friendly track is my favorite from the album, it wouldn’t be as great without the heavy flairs contained throughout it.
The Crisis Of Revelation
A Crisis Of Revelation – Trivium
Another song that tracks off with some ridiculous drum work. “A Crisis Of Revelation” is a perfect follow up to the accessible single “Feast Of Fire”. Coincidentally, it is also my second favorite track from the record. The song is fast and relentless, starting off with quick and heavy instrumentals, and following up the chorus with some as well. Speaking of the chorus, while it isn’t as powerful of the chorus from the previous track, it is still one of the best from the album. Something about it is contagious to me, and leaves me wanting more. It is calm yet still triumphant, and it splits up the instrumental and heavy portions of the track well.
The sweeping solos sound great throughout the track, and like the title track, I feel like this song has it all. At the 4:14 mark there is even a drum solo. This is easily one of my favorite moments from the album. I haven’t heard drums get the forefront in a metalcore record in a long time, and drummer Alex Bent kills it here. After my initial listen, I went back and listened to the drum solo several times. This is just one of the many occasions where Trivium switch things up and get creative in their work.
Due to the great chorus and masterful instrumentation within this track, I don’t think I could ever get sick of “A Crisis Of Revelation”. The song is a new favorite of mine, and along with the previous track “Feast Of Fire”, may even be a favorite of the whole year.
The Shadow Of The Abattoir
The Shadow Of The Abattoir – Trivium
“The Shadow Of The Abattoir” is another track where Trivium take the medieval concept and run with it. Seriously, this track sounds like a bard is performing at a medieval pub. The song has a folk-like sound to it – and outside of the chorus- it is really calming. Matt puts on a mellow voice unlike the rest of the album, and it is a nice change of pace. While I am definitely more partial to the band’s thrashier and heavier sound, I love this track in the context of the entire record. “In The Court Of The Dragon” is a concept album that actually has some work put into it to sound relevant to the writing. “The Shadow Of The Abattoir” is one of those tracks that excel when heard during a full album playthrough.
The Shadow Of The Abattoir Is A Song Of Many Sounds
Earlier I mentioned that the chorus is different than the rest of the song, and that is true. The chorus is as triumphant as ever and it hits like a truck. It isn’t heavy or anything, but the instrumentals are more energetic during it and Matt belts out loud and proud. However, the chorus isn’t the only exhilarating part of the track. After the three minute mark the song evolves into a totally different track.
The song gets drastically heavier and it hard to even imagine it is the same song. The song recognized from the first three minutes is gone. The instrumentals thrash and crash for the next two and a half minutes. Trivium have always been one of the more progressive metalcore bands, but this takes it to a whole new level. This is easily one of the most theatrical and dynamic tracks on the record. With flavors of folk, metalcore, thrash, and progressive metal, “The Shadow Of The Abattoir” is an impressive spectacle.
No Way Back Just Through
No Way Back Just Through – Trivium
Another highlight from the album, “No Way Back Just Through” is a thrashy track that has become a new fan-favorite nearly overnight. The song is currently the band’s second most popular song on Spotify. This is pretty impressive for a non-single! It is no mystery why this song is becoming so popular. The energy from the song never fades, and the chorus is catchy and accessible. This track may be a new perfect representation of Trivium. Outside of “Feast Of Fire”, this track may be one of the introductory tracks I would use to introduce a new listener to the band. The track is heavy, but not entirely threatening or inaccessible. I find the track to be one of the more well-rounded songs from “In The Court Of The Dragon”. Perhaps this is a reason for the song’s success.
“No Way Back Just Through” is incredibly easy to listen to. The song always ends before I am ready for it to conclude. This isn’t just due to a short runtime, as the track is reasonably lengthy. While the band surely have longer tracks, this song runs at nearly four minutes in length. The song does pass by quickly though, as it is crafted to tightly and efficiently. The song never gets boring, the energy never dies, and it doesn’t over stay its welcome at any time. This structure could also be a reason for the tracks success. The shorter runtime and energetic nature of the track makes it an easy choice for Spotify playlists. These playlists can bring a ton of attention to deserving tracks, and this is definitely a deserving track!
Fall Into Your Hands
Fall Into Your Hands – Trivium
Following the incredibly accessible “No Way Back Just Through”, is the incredibly inaccessible “Fall Into Your Hands”. This is what makes the track great though. This track is the longest track on an album full of long tracks. This is also the biggest strength of the song. The band uses the long seven minute and 46 second runtime wisely. Like “The Shadow Of The Abattoir” before it, this song changes in style and nature countless times. Seriously, there is a lot to unpack here.
“Fall Into Your Hands” is another track that starts off with some impressive drumming from Alex. This incredible drum work continues in the spotlight for the whole first minute of the track. The accompanying riff slowly gains the forefront as the heavy verse kicks in. Matt’s voice sounds great in this heavy verse. He sounds aggressive and his screams are deep and layered. Fans of heavier Trivium material are going to love this one. The sheer heaviness isn’t the selling point of this track though, as this progressive epic has a ton of layers to it.
Fall Into Your Hands Is A Non-Linear Epic
The chorus is another one that captures the fantasy of “In The Court Of The Dragon”. It sounds triumphant and mythical, once again it is as if a bard is singing his heart out. This chorus isn’t the only part of the song with singing though. Around the four minute mark there is an entirely different singing portion that isn’t a repeat of the chorus. Matt softly sings until the track bleeds into a solo. This solo is soon interrupted by impressive growls until a second different solo kicks in.
This track is wildly non-linear and I love it. I am especially impressed that such a long track only features the chorus twice. Most three minute long tracks run the chorus three times. Trivium are at their best when they defy expectations like they do with “Fall Into Your Hands”. How can Trivium possibly follow up this one?
From Dawn To Decadence
From Dawn To Decadence – Trivium
“From Dawn To Decadence” starts off with complementing drum and guitar work that only a band like Trivium could pull off so masterfully. The instrumental unity here is very impressive, and it is one hell of a flex to start off a song like this. The song quickly transitions into a verse full of piercing screams that are layered behind Matt’s singing voice. These screams are really high, and I am not quite sure if I dig them or not. Regardless the experimentation here is interesting. This song actually has quite a bit of vocal experimentation going on. Around the 3:20 mark, Matt shows off some impressive low growls, which the vocalist does not utilize much within this album.
The chorus is pretty catchy, but there are catchier songs on the record. I wouldn’t call this track filler by any means, but by track nine it doesn’t quite stand out in the mix. Thankfully though the masterful instrumentation throughout the song, the catchy chorus, and the deep growls keep me from skipping this track. I am thankful for this because I prefer not to skip any tracks within a concept album, and Trivium managed to keep me hooked throughout the whole record. Now, does the band continue this trend? Are there absolutely no duds to be found on this album? Let’s jump on into the final track from the epic “In The Court Of The Dragon”.
The Phalanx
I love when an album – this goes double for a concept album – has a true conclusion. Fortunately, “The Phalanx” screams “conclusion”. This epic “Shogun” demo contains all the heroic sounds necessary to end a medieval epic such as “In The Court Of The Dragon”. I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole album was created with this track as the main inspiration. The history of this track goes back to 2008 (and maybe even earlier), so it is no wonder that fans immediately recognized the roots of the track. If this track is potentially the oldest track to begin production, it is possible that the seven minute 13 second track spawned the whole mythology of the record.
Fortunately, “The Phalanx” lives up to its history and more. The track is absolutely monumental. Right off the bat the song begins with a threatening riff that leads into a catchier riff that guides the listener through the track. Matt shows off his impressive singing voice as well as menacing growls throughout the verse. This duality makes the track sound much more dynamic than some of the other more straightforward tracks on the record. The chorus deserves some recognition here too, as I love what they did with it. It sounds exactly what the conclusion of an album should. Trivium only add to this feeling of closure by the end of the track. More on that soon.
The Phalanx Is An Epic Conclusion To A Legendary Tale
The track features a fantastic breakdown and solo featuring some deep growls from Matt that scream out a sense of urgency. It sets the “final battle” type tone that the final track on a heavy album like this needs. The whole entirety of “In The Court Of The Dragon” has led to this finale, and Trivium make sure it was all 100% worthwhile. The fantastic chorus – that I previously mentioned – comes back in dramatic nature and sung in a new dramatic rendition that truly brings closure to one hell of an epic record.
The legendary tale of “In The Court Of The Dragon” may be over, but this thrashy and progressive metalcore epic is worth rehearing over and over again.
Closing Thoughts:
Trivium are the band that just keep on giving. Only one year ago fans were blessed with their heavy record “What The Dead Men Say”, and now the band have released a medieval epic of an entirely different tone. The work ethic of the band is as inspiring as the music they make themselves, and “In The Court Of The Dragon” is a huge testament to the band’s capabilities. This cohesive work not only flows in terms of storytelling and style, but also in sound. The record begins as epic and triumphant as it begins, and rarely does it lose momentum. I think I officially consider myself a huge Trivium fan, and I anticipate what they throw at us next. Knowing this hardworking band, we won’t even have to wait that long for their next metalcore epic.
Final Verdict: 10/10 Shells
In The Court Of The Dragon CD And MP3 Download
If you enjoy physical albums as much as I do, follow the link below and pick yourself up a copy of In The Court Of The Dragon! Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I will never recommend a product or service I don’t have 100% faith in. Additionally, you can find a link to the MP3 purchase if you prefer to support music that way. Happy listening!
Need More Metalcore In Your Life?
Need more metalcore in your life? I recommend you check out my Bullet For My Valentine self-titled track-by-track album review. The fellow classic metalcore alumni recently released their return-to-form album. The band showcase a sound reminiscent of their early sound, and the record contains some of the best tracks of their career. In the article, I breakdown each and every track from the band’s exhilarating new record in-depth. So check that out down below if you’re interested!
Additionally, I recommend you check out my Wage War Manic Track-By-Track album review. Wage War also had a great return-to-form record, and it is easily one of my favorite metalcore albums of 2021. In the article, I breakdown each and every track from the band’s heavy new record in-depth. So check that out down below if you’re interested!
Looking for more music like Trivium? Look no further than our official modern metal playlist. The Spotify playlist features several of the latest tracks by the band, as well as other highly recommended modern bangers! Check it out down below and be sure to follow the playlist if you like what you hear. I update it weekly, so you won’t miss a thing!
What did you think of my Trivium In The Court Of The Dragon review? Did you enjoy the new album? Please share your thoughts down in the comments.
