There’s a lot of talk in this Dutch metalcore mob’s bio about how indebted they are to Metallica and Pantera, and there’s plenty of grit and anger in their second album as singer Caroline Westendorp’s gravelly vocals tear through thick, dirty and thrash-laden riffs with ease. The marching rhythm of Echoes vaguely recalls Walk, but there’s too much polish to channel their heroes, the reverb and clanging guitars on No End In Sight and Blood And Salt rounding off any rawness that could have been. The Future Need Us Not is one of the most innovative tracks with its siren-like riff and a veritable brick wall of noise that never crumbles under Caroline’s roar. Slowie Silent War treads a fine line between grunge ballad and symphonics, impressively managing to recall both Dream Theater and Nickelback at the same time. Diehard Metallica and Pantera fans might raise eyebrows at those bands being the reference points, but this ambitious effort manages to stay just the right side of overblown.
The Charm The Fury - The Sick, Dumb And Happy album review
Low-lying metalcore crew reveal some lofty ambitions
You can trust Louder Our experienced team has worked for some of the biggest brands in music. From testing headphones to reviewing albums, our experts aim to create reviews you can trust. Find out more about how we review.
“Religion never accepts the balance that exists in a human being. It’s just a one-way street. That’s always going to cause conflicts”: How Dimmu Borgir made an irreligious symphonic black metal classic with In Sorte Diaboli
“It was carnage. We partied on the road, then I’d get home and start the party all over again. I thought, ‘If this carries on, I might die’”: The explosive story of The Darkness’ OTT hard rock masterpiece Permission To Land
“We were heartbroken. The world had lost a big talent. But as a band we had lost much more”: The rollercoaster story of AC/DC’s Back In Black, the 50-million selling album that emerged from tragedy
