Review: Ben Hosking
Bring Me the Horizon (BMTH) have divided opinions since their arrival on the scene with 2006’s ‘Count Your Blessings’. While they certainly have their legion of fans – as evidenced by their recent chart success here in Australia – many more have been very vocal about their ‘hate’ for the Sheffield, England quintet.
2008’s ‘Suicide Season’ did well to win over some of the haters with its focused deathcore approach. However, it will be their newest release ‘There Is a Hell, Believe Me I’ve Seen It. There Is a Heaven, Let’s Keep It a Secret’ that will turn the tide for BMTH.
Only young tykes when they started, BMTH have clearly done some growing in the intervening six years. The addition of Jona Weinhofen (Bleeding Through) on guitars, backing vocals, keys and programming in 2009 has also brought a welcome intricacy and depth to their sound.
In recent interviews the band members have been citing far more diverse and eclectic musical influences such as Pink Floyd, Dire Straits and movie soundtracks. Simply listening to ‘There Is a Hell…’ is evidence that their claims may well be true – the song writing and instrumentation is far more mature than anything they’ve released in the past.
‘There Is a Hell…’ is brimming with diversity and sonic texture before unknown to the band; including the addition of female vocals, keyboards, six minute-plus epics with extended atmospheric sections and production that could see your lunch returning to the surface. It’s got fast bits, it’s got slow bits and yet it seldom loses its groove. BMTH’s are really coming into their own now as they leave the deathcore nest and start pulling out more progressive audio annihilation.
Click image to view Photo Gallery of BMTH live at Brisbane Riverstage
[Photos: Stuart Blythe]
From the opening minutes of ‘Crucify’ it’s obvious you’re dealing with a different BMTH. ‘Anthem’ boasts a dollop of punk rock before the blast beat riffage turns your speakers into dust on ‘In Never Ends’. ‘Fuck’ includes a cleanly sung chorus and will definitely be a crowd favourite when played live.
Things take a surprising turn with ‘Don’t Go’: a dramatic mid-tempo track with almost-fragile, female vocal sections before launching straight back into the speedy ‘Home Sweet Hole’ that features a guest appearance by You Me At Six’s Josh Franceschi.
BMTH have pulled out all the stops on ‘There Is a Hell…’ and they’ve proven that they’re neither scared to explore their musical limits or that they listen to the critics, who’ve spent the last five years writing them off. We’ll be looking forward to what they bring us on their next effort.
Review: Ben Hosking
Related:
* Bullet For My Valentine, Bring Me The Horizon, Cancer Bats @ Brisbane Riverstage – 11 September 2010 – Live Review
* Bullet For My Valentine touring Australia September 2010 with Bring Me The Horizon and Cancer Bats [Tour Details]
