One of Sharptone Records latest additions alongside Holding Absence and Emmure. The charasmatic, enigmatic machine that is LOATHE has returned with their debut album The Cold Sun, due for worldwide release on April 14th. And boy, oh boy is it good.
After the success of the single Dance On My Skin, which discusses night terrors and sleep paralysis and the latest release, It’s Yours, it has become quite clear they have matured, and evolved in a very beautiful way since their EP Prepare. Consume. Proceed.
LOATHE went with Glow In The Dark Studios in Atlanta, Georgia to record. Working with the very talented Matt McClellan (Underoath, The Devil Wears Prada, Being As An Ocean). Erik Bickerstaffe (Guitars) commented on the choice to work with McClellan.
“Glow In The Dark has produced some of our favourite records and it was humbling to be a part of its legacy.“ states Bickerstaffe.
The Liverpool quintet is something to be weary of. And all for good reason. Because no one could have expected The Cold Sun to be such a juggernaut whilst displaying a colossal sense of evolution within the bands sound. The album discusses motifs encompassing a dystopian near-future. An allegory and cautionary tale to make us aware of our current actions. The Cold Sun is a concept record following the perspective of two protagonists (A & B) who are “stricken by tragedy and the ever looming end of days“.
Tracks such as “Stigmata” & “P.U.R.P.L.E” really do grab you by the throat and still have the courtesy to deliver you electronic softness and powerful lyrical themes whilst hammering away with percussive onslaughts and hybridized guitar work steaming from Djent, Progressive Metalcore, Post-Hardcore and Deathcore. The package is versatile, and extremely well constructed with a high focus on composition and narrative.
Each track has such an ebb and flow, it know’s where and when to strike, it knows when to be quiet and gentle, and then resume to finish you off with each hook of meaty guitar riffs.
If you were an instant fan of LOATHE‘s first EP, then do not hesitate to listen to the tracks; “East of Eden”, “Babylon” and “Never More”. These tracks are the hard hitters, and you will find out exactly why upon launch.
So head on over to Impericon or Sharptone’s on-line store, pick up and pre-order a CD (maybe a ‘few’ t-shirts or two) and sink your teeth into some of the best music you will hear in this decade. You will be more than eagerly satisfied with your investment.
A beautiful masterpiece and, a true standout release for 2017 that compete's for Album of the Year without any questions asked. A progressive album that conceptual speaks volumes to the audience. LOATHE deliver all the pieces in a unique and slightly harrowing way at times, but it's beauty cannot be denied.
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