/image%2F0642338%2FobpicZTxqCr.jpeg)
(8/10) I have to admit that I missed While She Sleeps' debut "This is the six". My first touchpoint with the band from Sheffield was a few month ago when they opened for In Flames. Since I haven't seen the band earlier I was very curious about their music and their show. After their 30 minutes long performance I was impressed. And having a look into the audience showed that I wasn't the only one. Cool as well was the fact to see the first smaller pits already at the opener.
Now While She Sleeps releases finally their long awaited second longplayer. Actually the album should have been released far earlier, but singer Loz Taylor had some problems with his vocal chords that even let to two surgical operations. Now things are good and "Brainwashed" is out in the stores. It's packed with 14 song plus the intro - all together one hour of heavy While She Sleeps music.
What I like with the band's music is the mix of different elements. They play metalcore, but they find a smart way to combine it with melodies and groove without loosing the heaviness. This adds another dimension to their music that is more than only shouting and playing fast.
To pick out some songs is hard with this album. "Life is a tension" is maybe one tunes that stands out a bit. It's a very straight-forward track that has high speed while the chorus more grooving.
Also the title track is a raging metal eruption that is hard to escape from and "Torment" is a heavy song with some Soulfly-like guitar sounds. The tune is a good example how metalcore, groove metal and modern metal can merge into a thrilling melange.
The finale furioso is reserved for "Modern minds". It's also the longest tune on the album - at least this is what the playlist makes you think. Starting with a nice melody and clean vocals the song starts pretty relaxed. No doubt about the fact that the tune gets harder along the way, but the catchy chorus stays as a constant factor throughout the track that even has a silent piano part embedded. The add-on with this tune is the 'hidden track' in the end which is an acostic one minute number.
I could continue that way with more songs, but I think it's better to listen to "Brainwashed". While She Sleeps released an energetic longplayer that shows the potential of the young band from the UK. Give it a try. You will not be disappointed.
(8/10)
Tracklist:
- The divide
- New world torture
- Your evolution
- Brainwashed
- Wer are alive at night
- Our legacy
- Four walls
- Torment
- Kangaezu ni
- Life is tension
- Trophies of violence
- No sides, no enemies
- The woods
- Method of madness
- Modern minds
Label: Search and Destroy/Sony Music
Genre: Metalcore
