SikTh
The Future In Whose Eyes?


4.0
excellent

Review

by cloakanddagger USER (17 Reviews)
June 1st, 2017 | 90 replies


Release Date: 2017 | Tracklist

Review Summary: A welcome return, featuring socially conscious lyrics and retaining the band's signature (if somewhat toned down) chaotic sound

It's almost hard to believe that it's been eleven years since we last had a SikTh record. Even back in the early-mid 2000's when the band released Death of a Dead Day, they still sounded so far ahead of their time, sounding like nothing that anyone had ever heard of. Since that album was released, the band has broken up, reformed, released an EP and lost their founding vocalist, Justin Hill. However, even whilst the band was in dormancy, they continued to influence many musicians, notably Misha Mansoor of Periphery fame. Whilst the djent scene may not be to everyone's taste, it's undeniable that SikTh showcased the style at its most creative, bonkers, schizophrenic and explosive, and the band's third record, "The Future in Whose Eyes?", is a reminder to fans and newcomers alike that the band is still a force to be reckoned with.

This is a socially conscious album. Vocalist and main songwriter Mikee Goodman discusses many issues on this album, such as the issues of the music industry ("Golden Cufflinks"), a topic which was discussed on their last EP Opacities but is expanded upon here. Other topics include poverty ("No Wishbones") and delving into the human psyche with topics like traumatic dreams ("Vivid"). SikTh's music has always been socially conscious, but it almost seems like this album was the inevitable result of the changes the world has gone through since Death of a Dead Day was released eleven years ago, and because of that it feels all the more of a welcome return, and definitely worth the wait for what it is.

The instrumentation on this album is still as you'd expect, with plenty of intricate, technical riffs woven around soaring melodies. The thing that makes SikTh particularly unique when compared to most modern metalcore bands is the subtle changes between the heavier sections of their music and the melodic sections, which helps their music flow extremely well, providing them with a unique ordo ab chao sound. The rhythm section is as solid as ever, with the bass being heard loud and clear throughout the whole album and the drums providing many head-bobbing grooves and impressive fills. Make no mistake, this is a band which knows how to write music, and has shown that throughout their entire history.

What will be new to listeners on this album is the introduction of new vocalist Joe Rosser, also of Aliases fame (A band that guitarist Pin is also involved with). The first thing to note is that he is no Justin Hill, and this is perhaps the main criticism of this album. His vocals are by no means a detriment to the music, but when the two vocalists are compared it's no question which one is the stronger of the two, and whilst it was no easy task to replace Hill, it never feels like Joe Rosser meets the precedented expectations. In addition, the lyrics on "The Future in Whose Eyes?" are some of the weakest lyrics that SikTh has ever offered, and despite the relevance of a lot of the topics, a lot of the lyrics come across as fairly childish and leave a fair bit to be desired. Instrumentally, whilst the band retains their signature sound, it is somewhat toned down when compared to the previous SikTh releases. A noticeable change is the higher prevalence of clean vocals, and this slightly toned down sound may turn off some listeners.

However, despite these drawbacks, this is still a fine release from a band that hasn't released an album in over a decade, and that in and of itself is never an easy task to pull off. Its slightly more accessible sound may also attract more new listeners, which is never a bad thing, but this is an album that should be listened to by old and new fans alike. "The Future in Whose Eyes?" is a welcome return for SikTh and a fine addition to their already impressive discography.

Recommended tracks:
The Aura
Weavers of Woe
Riddles of Humanity
Ride the Illusiuon



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user ratings (275)
3.5
great


Comments:Add a Comment 
cloakanddagger
June 1st 2017


766 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Album is streaming here: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/sikth-the-future-in-whose-eyes-exclusive-album-stream-a7766216.html



Album gets released tomorrow but given how there's an official stream I figured it was acceptable to post the review up now. Either way, constructive criticism is welcome.

bloc
June 1st 2017


70683 Comments


Man I am worried about this one

cloakanddagger
June 1st 2017


766 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

I was worried too, bloc, but it was still surprisingly good, I think the singles were probably the weakest songs.

JeetJeet
June 1st 2017


12455 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Listening now and it sounds just like Sikth. New vocalist is doing his fuckin thing too and does not hinder the band in any way. Its pretty good so far.

DoctorVelvet
June 1st 2017


186 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Pretty good review, but it's pretty confusing as to whether you've digested this album properly, seeing as it's only been out there for under 24 hours.

DoctorVelvet
June 1st 2017


186 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

It wish you made more reference to individual tracks and specific moments you liked and disliked on the album.

JeetJeet
June 1st 2017


12455 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Ride the Illusion is fuckin wild. Easily the best track on here.

undertakerpt
June 1st 2017


1649 Comments


Great review man, have a Positive.

I am also worried about this. I was a massive fan when they emerged and was devastated when they broke up. Opacities was a let down for me and the singles for this just don't sound that good. I suppose I gotta listen to this though, maybe i'll be suprised

HarryBoBerry
June 2nd 2017


620 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Sweet review, I'm waiting til tomorrow to check this out on Spotify. You have hushed my fears about the album. My only gripe is that you only mentioned the singles in the review. What other tracks stood out?

Alondite
June 2nd 2017


432 Comments


That album art fucking owns.

BigPleb
June 2nd 2017


65799 Comments


So stoked for this, Sikth always delivers the goods.

ConcubinaryCode
June 2nd 2017


7697 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Man, I'm so pumped to hear this and if the singles were the worst I have high hopes.

cloakanddagger
June 2nd 2017


766 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

"What other tracks stood out?"

I'd say probably The Aura, Weavers of Woe, Riddles of Humanity and Ride the Illusion, they're by far the most "SikTh" songs on the record. I'll add them to the bottom as recommended tracks.



Glad I managed to hush the fear out of some of you folks. I spent a good proportion of yesterday listening to this album on repeat to try and digest it as well as I could.

StickFeit
June 2nd 2017


2314 Comments


Never really listened to this band, can I start here?

You got me interested

Spec
June 2nd 2017


40163 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Is this sick guys?

cloakanddagger
June 2nd 2017


766 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

I'd say start with this album and their Opacities EP as they're the most accessible things the band's done, then work your way back through the discography.

StickFeit
June 2nd 2017


2314 Comments


Thanks bud, will do!

HarryBoBerry
June 2nd 2017


620 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

@cloak thanks for adding that! Gonna check it out now while at the gym.



@stick make sure you listen to Death of a Dead Day, it's their best work.

bgillesp
June 2nd 2017


8868 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Nice review. Gonna check today for sure. You use a lot of words like "whilst", "fair/fairly", and "toned down" very frequently so you might could benefit from a thesaurus. I liked the analysis though and am more excited for this than I was after hearing the single.

MO
June 2nd 2017


24115 Comments


gotta check this



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