Review Summary: Truly beyond the generic, corporate ever-growing hard rock machine.
The decapitated head of a machine couldn’t be more fitting for presentation of this album’s content, and the same goes for the title. It seems as if Downplay recognized their mistake with their junior project, and literally tore it apart by severing it at the head, and indirectly severing a chance for them to ever play generic hard rock again. The group had a special chemistry on [i]Saturday and, to a lesser extent,
A Day Without Gravity. This was a chemistry that they seemed determine to recapture and once again go beyond the mainstream rock machine, if you will. It should also be noted that Downplay didn’t drag any songs from past releases with them this time around, whereas “Sleep” was pulled from
A Day Without Gravity and onto
Rise.Fall.Repeat.In addition, guitarist/lead vocalist Dustin Bates and new lead guitarist Evan McKeever(replacing former lead guitarist Kyle Leavitt) are truly experimenting with down-tunings for the first time: the majority of the record is played in drop C or lower, whereas the group focused primarily on drop D on earlier material. There’s a newfound formality with slight electronics, as well as Dustin experimenting much more with screams, while retaining his shadowy, gritty clean vocals. Bassist Corey Catlett and drummer Brian Patrick were reasonably shirked on
Rise.Fall.Repeat., but have thankfully fully returned to the fold this time around, as a vital part of Downplay’s sounds rests on menacing bass lines and punk-flavored, unique drumming.
The blend of dubstep and heavy riffs throughout “Digging It Out” will best exemplify the evolution Downplay had experienced, as it shows their change from melodic post-grunge to roaring alt-metal. Dustin yelps, screams, and darkly growls through the song and grabs your attention with his delivery, and the pulsating drums and hammering riffs won’t let you venture elsewhere. What’s also refreshing is that the electronic elements don’t totally overpower the heavy elements, but instead give an industrialized menace. “Just You And Me” has some of the best riffs all album and is similar to “Revenge” or “Queen of New York City” from past Downplay material, while “Fade Away” has a nice melodic overtone with a sweeping, calming guitar lead blending with pulsing electronics and haunting piano. “Overboard” is a dark slow-burner that best emphasizes the menace that Corey was more than able to convey on A Day Without Gravity, as well as a catchy chorus and breakneck drumming. “I’m Not Over You Yet” is a teen-movie primed yet strikingly emotional ballad that is more fitting than previous ballads like “Red Window” off of
Rise.Fall.Repeat. . However, the final standout is a real treat. Deciding to experiment with a cover, Downplay rolled with “Cruel Summer”, which was originally performed by Bananarama. Not only did the group do an incredible job translating the radio-friendly 80s pop song into an angsty alt-metal number, but slight programming, strange vocal effects, an anthemic chorus, and a classic metal-toned guitar lead manage to still convey a classic 80s feel. Even the muted screams and the breakdown don’t feel out of place.
Lyrically, Downplay have always had the ability to tear into the listener’s soul, whether it be with extreme darkness or bright optimism. However, on the band’s third effort, they veered a little too far into the typical. Have no fear, because
Beyond The Machinebrings back their tendency for dark, gripping, interesting lyrics. Songs like “Digging It Out” and “Just You And Me” angrily roar against the machine while still managing to sound mature, for example. “Dying To Feel Alive” and “Into The Dark” focus on confronting both yourself and others on personal demons, while “Best Part Of You Was Me” and “I’m Not Over You Yet” dabble in typical relationship material.
Indeed,
Beyond The Machine easily tops
Rise.Fall.Repeat and just barely beats out
A Day Without Gravity, coming to rest with what some consider the band’s greatest record to date,
Saturday. If you were less than impressed with Downplay beforehand, give
Beyond The Machine a full listen, you’ll be impressed.
