Silverstein have released their latest album Antibloom!
The first track Mercy Mercy sets the tone for the record. Kicking it off with some relentless drum patterns and vocalist Shane Told’s screams right away, giving the listener no time to prepare. This is also one of the heavier cuts on the record, but with no sacrifice to the catchiness. It has a classic Silverstein chorus but for me, it’s the heavier hook when Told belts out “I will slip quietly into my grave” that immediately stuck with me.
Next we have singles Don’t Let Me Get Too Low and Confession. Both of these songs are classic Silverstein cuts through and through. Don’t Let Me Get Too Low is a high energy pop punk tune, which keeps the pace after the first track. It also includes some of that modern metalcore flavour, with a massive breakdown in the bridge. Confession slows things down a bit, being an easier but anthemic listen.
Later is Little Fight, which sees the band leaning towards their more pop side. It’s a shorter tune that doesn’t overstay it’s welcome. To start it’s got a more upbeat and positive vibe on the instrumental, from both the guitarists Josh Bradford and Paul Rousseau’s work but as well as these 80’s style synths to compliment before picking it up back to their pop punk style to end it off.
In the latter half of the record, the band kicks back into their heaviness with cuts I Will Destroy This and Stress. Both tracks definitely feel like they would be great additions to the bands live set, as they both have the recipe for great crown engagement to sing along to. I Will Destroy This tackling the theme of struggling with the idea that all we bring is destruction around us; being stuck in our old habits and being more comfortable in that. Stress might be one of the bands heaviest songs in a while; it feels like it was most definitely tailored to be used in a live set. Told yelling out “Just let me hear some of that stressed out music, turn it up, turn it up”. Being only under 3 minutes, it’s all gas, no breaks for the entire runtime.
Silverstein have been on one hell of a stride since Misery Made Me a few years ago and Antibloom is no exception.
Being this long into their career and releasing arguably some of their best material to date just goes to show how special this band is.
They’ve always done extremely well keeping their sound up to date, and staying with the times. If the second record follows this trend, Silverstein have a massive year lined up for them.
9/10
Antibloom is available everywhere now via UNFD
