Review Summary: The beginnings of a Paramore for a newer generation?
As Everything Unfolds are a Post Hardcore/Metalcore band hailing from Buckingham, England. I've known of them for a little while now as they've begun to gain some traction recently with their breakthrough track On the Inside. Upon first listening to this track it came across as very arena rock, akin to bands such as Bring Me The Horizon in their current sound. Nonetheless, I was impressed with what I heard, there were components that I found to be really unique among the vast array of metalcore bands we see in today's day and age of the genre.
The main draw to me was immediately the vocals. Vocalist Charlie Rolfe has a very different approach to her vocals, which I appreciate, definitely a Post-Hardcore influence. Her clean vocals are immaculate and they are perfect for a band such as this, on the aforementioned track On the Inside there is a killer hook that instantly gets stuck in your head that doesn't let go. Her unclean vocals are for lack of a better word, all over the place. I can see this vocal approach being very hit or miss for people. However, I am on the end of those who appreciate them quite a bit, she is experimenting a lot with her harshes which I find to be refreshing. Most modern metalcore vocalists take the same approach give or take and often sound pretty cookie cutter.
Upon delving into this recording, I found the initial track that I listened to to be one of the weaker songs on the album, which I found to be very impressive considering I already thought that one was already kind of a slam dunk and a half. There are a plethora of fantastic songs on this record but I will highlight the track Wallow for now. This track begins with some super energetic vocals, as well as some great djenty grooves and traditional-sounding metalcore riffing. It thunderously storms through the first verse with tremendous force, the pre-chorus gives off a bit of a nu-metal feel. The chorus is as strong as every other chorus on the record (which is tremendously strong). Charlie sounds really passionate singing the lyrics on this chorus, you can really feel her emotion in my opinion. The track then morphs into this super mellow portion which is an absolute thrill to witness because it is such a refreshing thing for this type of genre, and this portion of the track is exquisitely well executed.
This album overall in my estimation is the very opposite of cookie-cutter, when it comes to the unconventional use of harsh vocals, the uncommon song structures, it all sounds super fresh. The only knocks I would give towards this is that maybe perhaps the riffs are a tad bit generic and the mix is undoubtedly very sterilely produced, but it all comes down to personal preference whether you enjoy this component or not. This album overall reminds me a lot of when Paramore was in their infancy stages of being a band and just letting the flames begin on their debut album All We Know Is Falling. Within Each Lies the Other burns just as bright as that album and blazes into a beautiful blooming inferno as it blitzes through its 11 tracks with the utmost of vigor and exuberance.
Charlie I find to be as equally as strong a vocalist as Hayley Williams and her charisma is off the charts, along with Hayley Williams of course, I digress. She checks all of the boxes for what you need to be a commanding frontwoman. Of course, Paramore isn't a metalcore band, however, As Everything Unfolds I find to be a heavier, grittier version of Paramore, possibly for a newer generation. Whether it be Grayscale, Hiding From Myself, every chorus is utterly fantastic and the verses are equally so. I definitely think this band has a super bright future ahead of them and I can't wait for what is to come in their next release. EP Closure is equally as great as this one and it's super impressive this band is at the level they are only an EP and an LP into their career.
