Invent Animate
Stillworld (Instrumental)


4.5
superb

Review

by Tyler White STAFF
October 16th, 2018 | 35 replies


Release Date: 2018 | Tracklist

Review Summary: An instrumental better than the original

How does a band cope with losing their vocalist? Well, you just take him right out of the mix. An idea so crazy, it seems illogical, but it actually works here, and to an extent that it actually feels like an intentional instrumental. Invent Animate’s Stillworld is full of intense riffing, eerie guitar background, and ferocious, double-bass reliant drumming. From start to finish, listeners are blasted with riff after riff, breakdown after breakdown, with no signs of stopping. However, it isn’t the intensity of the album that actually makes this an interesting jam, it’s the originality and uniqueness of the tracks. Unlike most metalcore albums, each track here gives something extra to what was already presenting, leaving the album rather intriguing all the way through without any sort of repetition or bland songwriting.

Now, the surprising factor that makes this album good is the actual comfort of the instrumentals without the need for vocals. Most bands like Periphery and Northlane who include instrumentals of their albums generally have a sound that lacks comfort, often feeling empty without the added vocals in their original form. However, Stillworld is an exception to this normality. In fact, the lack of vocals only enhances the experience even further. Without the need to focus on lyrics and vocal performance, the intricacies of Invent Animate’s talent really shine through with subtle guitar harmonies that supported the originally prevalent vocals as well as the overall haunting atmosphere ominously hanging about in the background. These subtleties are actually what make up for the lack of vocals. These supporting guitar harmonies and riffs in the background actually provide a story of their own, one of power and fury simply portrayed through the instrumentals.

Speaking of, the instrumental performances on here are superb. The most obvious of the instrumentals are, of course, the guitars. Alternating between clean, reverb-coated verse progressions and brutally distorted djent-esque guitars, the strings bring out an intense side of their metalcore style, while still maintaining a rather relaxing undertone in the verses; well, as relaxing as you can get in those short, momentous time frames. Supporting the axe is a drumming performance that is quite impressive. Ranging from straight up double bass breakdowns to quick snare blasts, the drumming guides the music along through its course, both frantic and chill alike. Of course, all of this is tied together by the absolute beautiful chemistry between the instruments, flowing as a group rather than compartmentalizing each other to its own role. This results in breakdowns of utter madness while still maintaining a tight-groove and fluid sound.

As much as I enjoy the original album, the instrumental is what really did it for me. The sheer talent among each musician is undeniable and is quite a spectacle to view. Of course, this won’t last forever as the band searches for a vocalist. Deep inside, I don’t want it to happen, because Stillworld is an experience that isn’t only good, but fits the style of the band in an almost impossible, natural way. If you’re a fan of original metalcore instrumentals, this is a must listen for you. The amalgamation of aggression and gentleness has every sounded so beautiful in the genre.



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user ratings (29)
4
excellent


Comments:Add a Comment 
Get Low
October 16th 2018


14553 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Great review, pos'd.

Absolutely agree as well. This is a lot more enjoyable to me than the original. I had considered writing a review for it, but you definitely did it justice.

veninblazer
October 16th 2018


16921 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

"Obviously, the most obvious of the instrumentals are, of course"

Redundant phrasing.

tyman128
Staff Reviewer
October 16th 2018


4608 Comments


obviously, just trying to be obvious haha
thanks GetLow, I’ve been jamming this quite a bit lately and just had to give it a review. One of my favorite metalcore releases in a while even though it originally wasn’t supposed to be an instrumental. It just works really well somehow

Get Low
October 16th 2018


14553 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

The band just simply knows how to compose music. They could continue on as an instrumental band and I would be more than satisfied.

tyman128
Staff Reviewer
October 16th 2018


4608 Comments


definitely. like I said, their guitar work just has that sound and melody that gives no need for vocals

MyColdShoulder
October 16th 2018


546 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Good review man. Band is definitely one of the best in the genre, and hopefully their next release is just as good.

tyman128
Staff Reviewer
October 16th 2018


4608 Comments


thanks!
these guys and Solent Planet are my go-to’s in the modern day genre, both are just beyond talent in their songwriting, especially in this genre

SteakByrnes
October 16th 2018


30382 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

"An instrumental better than the original"



Fucking no, but this is great

tyman128
Staff Reviewer
October 16th 2018


4608 Comments


well, this clicked with me a lot more than the original personally

SteakByrnes
October 16th 2018


30382 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Also they took the comma out of their band name a long time ago, so I'd edit that

tyman128
Staff Reviewer
October 16th 2018


4608 Comments


ah, didn’t know that, thanks Steak

bloc
October 16th 2018


70683 Comments


Always thought instrumental versions of albums (especially modern metal ffs) were a dumb idea

tyman128
Staff Reviewer
October 16th 2018


4608 Comments


understandable, and I would agree like with bands such as Northlane and Periphery (like I said). However, there is just something about this that is actually good and flows

SteakByrnes
October 16th 2018


30382 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Singularity's instrumental release is dope

twlight
October 16th 2018


9181 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Protest the Hero's Fortress instrumental is on point

Get Low
October 16th 2018


14553 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Yeah, can't agree, Bloc. There's a lot of good instrumental versions of albums out there, and I'm always glad when a band releases one of an album that I like.



Also, @Tyman do you not like the instrumental version of Periphery's first album? I like it a lot more than the original.

tyman128
Staff Reviewer
October 16th 2018


4608 Comments


I forget which one I listened, but there wasn’t much to it for me, I’ll check out their first tho

tyman128
Staff Reviewer
October 16th 2018


4608 Comments


well I just realized that they only have that instrumental... so I don’t know, still gonna jam it and see if opinions have changed, my last spin of Periphery was like a year ago so

Get Low
October 16th 2018


14553 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Nice, nice. iirc the music was written and intended to be instrumental anyway, but then they acquired Spencer.

HypedMerchant
October 17th 2018


532 Comments


Lol one of my high school friends is dating the ex singer now



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