Review Summary: "I Hear the Sound of a Revolution"
Back in September, Night Verses issued a press release for the new album saying , "The new album will put an emphasis on a presenting a fuller, darker ambiance than our previous releases, with more effects, live electronics, experimentation and an overall massive sound" … and boy did they deliver. This was the first indications of the next steps for Night Verses. So with a band like Night Verses that has proven their talents between "Out of the Sky" and "Lift your Existence," you know that their creativity had no room for repetition or directional ambiguity. The early singles released showed us the eclectic nature that this album would provide. “A Dialogue in Cataplexy” picked up exactly where Lift Your Existence left off but bigger, bolder, and simply raw in presentation. The two singles that would follow “Drift” and “Panic and Pull Your Heart Out” showed us that darker ambiance we were promised.
The album introduces itself with an energetic boost of draining vocals, intricate guitar riffs, and Aric absolutely shredding on the drums (per usual - one of the next greats) on the opener “The Future As History: I Love You Dead” that will get anyone’s blood pumping for what is clearly going to be another home-run for one of the most gifted acts in Post-Hardcore today. The best part is that as great of a track as this is, it’s not a top track from the album. This energy remains consistent through the entire album. However, this energy is not necessarily in tempo. Tracks like “Drift,” “Vantablack,”and “Strange Graves” really show how slower tempo, ‘softer sounding’ musical composition still harnesses the energy that Night Verses was aiming for; continually illustrating that darker ambiance they were reaching for. However, don’t be mistaken. This album still will make you want to scream right along with its high intensity, high tempo tracks.
One of the largest differences between "Into the Vanishing Light" and "Lift Your Existence" is clearly the footprint placed by producer Ross Robinson. Ross has done some incredible albums such as Glassjaw’s "Worship and Tribute" and At the Drive-In’s "Relationship of Command". What Ross Robinson does extremely well in these albums (and continues on "Into the Vanishing Light") is that he pushes these great artists to the limit. He takes what they do well and doesn’t accept it until it is better. There is no room for complacency and that one of the reasons is why this album is as incredible as it is. That is why this hones in on what "Lift Your Existence" did well and also gives new flavor without sacrificing the integrity of the band.
All in all, there were high expectations for Night Verses as they followed up the critically acclaimed "Lift Your Existence". They absolutely crushed it. "Into the Vanishing Light" compliments their previous work wonderfully while also remaining a unique piece of the band’s discography.
Top Tracks:
Connecting Hexes
Growing Out Of Orbit
A Dialogue in Cataplexy
Blue Shades of the Sun
