Invent Animate
Greyview


4.5
superb

Review

by Tyler White STAFF
March 12th, 2020 | 1698 replies


Release Date: 2020 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Combating loss with change.

Following the departure of lead vocalist, Ben English, in 2018, Invent Animate seemed to be at a major loss. Without the powerful lows and the harsh contrast of mids from English, the band just wouldn’t be the same, yet the band didn’t lose hope. Following a plethora of auditions and decisions, Invent Animate acquired their new vocalist: Marcus Vik (ex-Aviana). With Greyview, the band attempts to tackle a nearly impossible challenge: making a worthy comeback with a new frontman.

Perhaps the most notable change, aside from Marcus on the vocals, is the band’s increased affinity for utilizing atmosphere and ambiance to drive a song. Although previously used in subtlety, Greyview shows the band boldly applying atmosphere, swallowing the record in an aura of serenity and peace. This ambience embodies the essence of the softer aspects of the album in “Fireside” and “Heaven, Alone”, yet amplifying the intensity of aggression in the breakdowns of “Monarch” and “Hollow Light”, while holistically encapsulating the power and emotion of Greyview.

Accompanying such enticing atmospheric elements are the usual technical riffs and exceptional instrumentation of Invent Animate. With Trey Celaya and Keaton Goldwire manning the guitars, the riffs of Greyview remain just as intense, aggressive, and brutal as in the preceding albums. The combination of beautifully crafted clean melodies and leads lingering, immersive chord progressions, and technically composed riffs and breakdowns elicit a grand contrast between the delicate and the destructive. In “Dark” and “Secret Sun,” the ominous, eerie leads enveloping the track augment the ferocity of the chugging breakdowns and tap-filled riffs. Throughout the duration of the album, both guitarists inject the occasional flare of intricately patterned riffs while still maintaining the progression of the album in a controlled manner. The most obvious example of such lies in the lead single, “Cloud Cascade,” with its intense and technical riff, mixing both the low chugs and the dissonant high end notes to create a contrasting riff amidst the ambiance of the record.

Complementing such intensive guitar work lies the impressive performance of Trey Celaya on the drums. This dynamic of Trey manning both the drum and guitar duties elicits a cohesion within the instrumentation that enhances the flow of Greyview. From the simple metalcore grooves found on tracks like “Eden” and “Hollow Light” to the more intricate patterns of “Secret Sun” and “Cloud Cascade.” However, he also expands further than just the general progressive metalcore stylings, extending the drumming versatility by including blast beats in the intro of “Reflection Room” and the simplified, yet catchy, grooves of “Fireside” in light of a softer track. Furthermore, accompanying the chops laid by Trey, the bass work of Caleb Sherraden provides the extra grit to the riffs and breakdowns of the album. Although usually supporting the seven strings by maintaining the low ends of the aggression, the bass manages to show off some moments of independence in the verses of “Fireside” and adding additional chugs to the numerous breakdowns in Greyview, further supporting the contrast between the open notes and the melodic and dissonant leads.

Ultimately, however, the crucial point lies in the initial query: does Marcus Vik live up to the expectations? Simply put, he manages to fit the band with their new sound. First and foremost, Marcus is ahead of Ben in the cleans department, managing to create impressive melodies in “Halcyon” and “Secret Sun” while also attempting the powerful vocals in the band’s first “ballad” attempt of “Fireside.” However, these cleans are sometimes used in an over-the-top manner at times as in tracks like “Cloud Cascade,” placing too much emphasis on the vocals rather than the song as a unit. Looking at the opposite end of the spectrum, Marcus Vik is a powerhouse with his harsh vocals. His versatility and range is exceptional, tackling the driving mids of “Hollow Light” while simultaneously performing that brutal lows of “Eden.” Although Ben English had a much more abrasive and aggressive approach in his vocals, Marcus Vik manages to find his place as a newfound member within the band, showing off his vocal versatility and ability to maintain emotion in his performance throughout the duration of the entire record.

With Greyview, Invent Animate solidifies their return with a fresh breath of revitalization in their music as they learn to adapt to a new frontman. It may not match up with the impressiveness or chemistry found on their previous efforts Everchanger and Stillworld, but it still sets the benchmark for the future of the band as they experiment more with what works for them as a unit. Now to return to the question at hand: did Invent Animate tackle the nearly impossible challenge of returning from the loss of a vocalist? Well, yes they did.



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user ratings (351)
3.7
great

Comments:Add a Comment 
tyman128
Staff Reviewer
March 12th 2020


4621 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Man has it been a while since I've done a review, feedback is greatly appreciated as I get back into this again.

Very solid album that continues to grow on me a lot. Really digging Marcus' vocals lately, they really fit the tone of the album well.

Official stream: https://loudwire.com/invent-animate-greyview-album-stream/



SteakByrnes
March 12th 2020


30478 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Hell yea man dope review, I agree with everything you said. Didn't now Trey also had a hand in the guitar writing that's dope, dude is crazy talented

Get Low
March 12th 2020


14611 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Another vocalist named Marcus, another progcore band ruined

Tundra
March 12th 2020


9987 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

created review before official release, real classy

SteakByrnes
March 12th 2020


30478 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

There's an official stream

bigweinerdon
March 12th 2020


2745 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

horny for this album boys

nightbringer
March 12th 2020


2763 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

I'll be honest, I gave the first single from this that I saw on YouTube a listen and thought it was terrible enough to just give this a dismissive rate... But turns out people are digging this? Maybe I should try it again, more charitably?

SaveBandit
March 12th 2020


3369 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I'm sure this slaps. Will find out for sure tomorrow.

SteakByrnes
March 12th 2020


30478 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Why would you rate an entire album off one single lmao

nightbringer
March 12th 2020


2763 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

I've only got so much time to listen to stuff that sounds immediately awful? And rates aren't that important?

Tundra
March 12th 2020


9987 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

can we stop this attitude of person A doesn't like an album, person B calls them a moron because they don't like the album, christ

JeetJeet
March 12th 2020


12466 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

He didn't even listen to the album tho, he rated and dismissed it off one single which is a pretty smallbrain move.

Tundra
March 12th 2020


9987 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

well the first single was pretty bad.

nightbringer
March 12th 2020


2763 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

Great thread guys.

nightbringer
March 12th 2020


2763 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

Fun fact: there are no good arguments against rating some things after hearing a single song.

nightbringer
March 12th 2020


2763 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

That wouldn't bother me.

Get Low
March 12th 2020


14611 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Sorry your review thread went to shit, Tyman. Pos'd, btw

nightbringer
March 12th 2020


2763 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

Yeah I should say that it's good to see you bust out a review again tyman! Unfortunately I just tried another song and found it similarly awful so this just isn't for me but I don't like to clog threads with negativity so I'll leave y'all to enjoy this.

Durrzo
March 13th 2020


3460 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I can't get into this. I like certain parts of certain songs but as a complete package it isn't grabbing me. Marcus has nice harsh vocals but his cleans are awkward and they're fucking everywhere on this thing.

nightbringer
March 13th 2020


2763 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

I really dig the cover art, as a parting point of positivity!



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