REVIEW: Shallow Truths - Alive Again [2020]
Artist: Shallow Truths
Album: Alive Again
2020 hasshown us a lot of things about ourselves and about the world we live in. It’sshown us death, frustration and loss. It has shown us that the people we holddear—those same people we would give anything for and do anything to protect—mightnot think of us similarly. It has brought out simultaneously the worst inpeople and the best in people, such that while some run towards danger andperil, others scurry away, willfully deeming the wellbeing of their loved onesas expendable. This same dynamic—the dynamic that exists between the goodnatured and evil hearted among us—exists in the breakout full-length by Michiganmetalcore act Shallow Truths, titled AliveAgain. Striking a bold balance between brazen, straight-forward aggressionand elegantly crafted (yet ridiculously catchy) pop-dusted choruses, Alive Again is a glimmer of positivityand joy puncturing the murky coat of gloom and despair that seems otherwisepervasive throughout 2020’s opening months. More than that, it isoverwhelmingly one of the finest additions to good ol’, heavy-soft,build-up-breakdown metalcore that the genre has experienced this year, or evenin recent years—making it a must-hear for fans of the genre.
Alive Again is a brilliant blend ofemotion, energy and aggression that, from start to finish, keeps the listenerengaged. Spanning an impressive forty-five minutes (give or take a minute), thedebut full-length release by Shallow Truths takes elements from modernmetalcore and late 2000’s post-hardcore to make something that feelscomfortable and nostalgic without being boring and lack-luster. Throughout thebarn-burning introductory track “Grave” and “On Our Own,” Shallow Truthsbombard the listener with explosive percussion and booming, bouncy bass thatprovides a full-bodied low end for the dancy leads and jarring breakdowns totake turns shining upon. Other songs—especially more sullen cuts like “Make MeSink” or “Far Too Long” from the back-half of Alive Again—highlight the more melancholic and melodic componentsof Shallow Truths’ dynamic, giving listeners a late-record reprieve from theirmore straightforward metalcore fare. As it stands, much of what Shallow Truthsdo on Alive Again isn’t new—if anything, it’s more of athrowback to the days of Of Mice & Men’s debut full-length, or early yearsof Miss May I’s sprawling discography. It’d good ol’ metalcore, but done toperfection, elegantly blending catchy, poppy components within a backbone offun, bouncy leads and bodacious breakdowns that give the listener anostalgia-dusted joyride through the genre’s figurative teenage years.
This samefamiliar-yet-contemporary and polished dynamic exists too within Shallow Truths’vocal component. Star-studded with guest vocalists yet strong In its own right,Alive Again boasts an ideal blend ofraw screaming and smooth singing that—even more than the band’s musicianship—sparksa nostalgic wildfire in the listener’s ears. “Grave” and “115” (both featuringsome big-time guest spots) are keen examples of this, as are “Alive Again” andeven the melancholic “Sober.” Shallow Truths’ vocal element strikes thatbrilliant balance between bitter aggression and crooned, clean and catchycomponents with little to no pitfall—leaving nothing wanting for fans ofmetalcore, post-hardcore, “risecore” and everything in between.
It’s beenhinted at a couple times, but Alive Againdoesn’t reinvent the wheel—nor does it try to. It’s carefree, energetic and funwithout sacrificing emotional depth or creativity, all while hitting thelistener with that pinch of the late 2000s metalcore that just about everyoneloves (even if not everyone admits it). Shallow Truths came out swinging on Alive Again and they have one hell of arecord to show for it, ensuring that fans of bread-and-butter heavy music havesomething to wait out the looming pandemic with.
8.5/10
For Fans Of: Of Mice & Men, Miss May I, Fit For a King,Chiodos
By: Connor Welsh