Review Summary: Wolves are cute.
Stitched Up Heart play a type of mainstream metal typically associated with Minortimbo12 or Christiancore rejects. Moments bring to mind Spiritbox due to the lead singer/growls and some occasional djent and pop flirting, but such events are subdued. The riffs on this album are Breaking Benjamin tier when reaching the pinnacle. The attempt to insert sugary pop here and there doesn’t abode well, because Stitched Up Heart also attempt to conjure a somewhat gothic atmosphere. It’s a curiously spun mix of sensations, yet with excellent moments. Possess Me includes a breakdown which effortlessly fits the song’s sound. There’s also more noodling, heavy riffs than you might expect from this excessively mainstream metal band.
Unfortunately, as the album plays out, it becomes less inspired. After the half way point, riffs gradually hit less hard. This decrease in energy and uniqueness almost makes the band appear as a fake heavy band, as though their riffs were a fluke. We know this is not the case, but it’s a shame they phone it in later. This band has the potential to be bigger, but they too often choose the path of lesser resistance; this album is no exception to their previously established mindset. Just consider the lyrics. I wrote off the lyrics when, in the first song, they sang “you’re ***ing with the wolf”. Then in the song Dead Inside the singer sings, you guessed it, “I’m dead inside, you know I’m dead inside”. These mundane lyrics do not tell a spectacular tale, and put a damper on the entire proceedings.
In this vessel of acceptably heavy music, songs are rinse and repeat herein. What is the band’s power? The ability to write catchy, heavy tunes. They may be forgotten in a couple years when the next mainstream metal album is released, but that doesn’t discount the music here. Their sound is well thought out with consistent energy, and brightly memorable choruses. Look past the lyrics and you’ll be fine. It is an album for those who accept angsty riffs with solid choruses, while balking at too much aggression. It’s no game changer for the band, but enough riffs are displayed to feed their hungry fans.
Long story short: the album is kind of a blast. Yes, it has a retro Christiancore sound, but the band play to their strengths. Aside from a couple snoozer tracks, the energy attacks in others are dazzling. In their comfort zone? Sure, and they manage to pull a lot of guitar maneuvers in that zone. You might say they’re in the zone, and I did not zone out listening to them.
