Review Summary: Watch Me Collapse
Secrets are a band that always seemed to be confused about how they wanted to sound. Was it the Unclean Vocalist led Post Hardcore sound? Or is it the Richard Rogers led Pop-Punk sound? Well with ‘The Collapse’ they have finally found the perfect mixture of them both.
Secrets whole discography is dumb. Like really dumb. Their debut ‘The Ascent’ was stock standard in every sense of the word. It was an OK debut release but then came ‘Fragile Figures’ where Secrets really seemed to be finding their feet mainly due to the incredible performance of Aaron Melzer (RIP MY DUDE). It was at this moment that I thought ‘MAN this band is really onto something here’. Then Aaron left. Wade joined and Richard decided:
HEY GUYS IT’S TIME – LET ME DO AN ACAPELLA INTRO ON THE NEXT RELEASE.
‘Everything That Got Us Here’ was released and every bit of happiness I had for the band was dead. Gone was the amazing performance of Aaron, replaced with the Back-up vocalist (AT BEST) Wade and Richard well, ye. I love Pop Punk, but good pop punk – not this whiny ***ty pop punk. Then came ‘Renditions’ 10 for effort – 0 for results though. At this point what were Secrets to do? Release a self-titled album that was marginally better. Little less Richard, little more Wade helped but the hangover from ‘Everything’ was still there.
Enter ‘The Collapse’ a deep dive into the reliance of substances and the never-ending battle of depression and loneliness.
I was hesitant playing this album. I didn’t know what to expect from it. Instantly all my trepidation was gone, and I was hit with the much improved and powerful vocals of Wade leading the charge and what sound like actual guitar riffs. I won’t lie though, it hit me like a rock when Richard came in, why does he have so much pitch correction that it is almost at the Chipmunk level? I do not have the answer and it was very staggering at first, but it does settle down throughout the album.
‘The Collapse’ is the perfect opening track because it really lets you know what is in store for the remainder of the album. Richard has taken a step back and let Wade really excel and he does. Even adding in some cleans on the first verse of ‘Glory’ and he sounds good – TAKE OVER WADE – DO IT NOW. Don’t get me wrong though, Richard has some great melodies and performances throughout, ‘Bad Decisions’ and ‘Lost’ choruses being my favorites from him.
With Richard taking a step back vocally we get much more focus on actual guitar riffing this time round and not just your stock standard four chord wonders. Although the riffing is simple and nothing ground-breaking – it’s still riffing and that counts for something right? ‘Parasite’ being the PEAK track here – they really dip their toes in Metalcore with it and it works very well – more of that next time please.
Whist musically there is still a lot left to be desired, breakdowns could be varied like ONCE guys, song structures could also be changed up A LOT, but if it was then to put it plainly – it wouldn’t be a Secrets album. They are never going to reinvent the post-Hardcore wheel, they are never going to redefine the whole genre or how it is played, but what they have done now is perfect the sound that fits them. If ‘The Collapse’ is anything to go by, well then Secrets may still have the potential for one truly great album.
Standout Tracks
Parasite
Glory
The Collapse
