Review Summary: Survival horror indeed
Post Human: Survival Horror is an agonizingly disappointing effort that serves as a painful reminder of the decline of the metal genre. From Oli Sykes' autotuned and whiny vocals to the misplaced features of Babymetal and Yungblud, this EP is a collection of misguided attempts that fall flat on their faces.
Let's start with Oli Sykes' vocal performance. It's clear that he heavily relies on autotune throughout the EP, leaving his voice devoid of any genuine emotion or raw power. Instead, we're left with a sterile and artificial rendition that does nothing but emphasize Sykes' lackluster delivery. The autotune only serves to magnify his already grating and whiny tone, making it impossible to take his vocals seriously.
One of the EP's most cringe-inducing moments comes in the form of "Kingslayer," featuring Babymetal. Metal is a genre that thrives on aggression, heaviness, and complexity. So, it's mind-boggling why Bring Me the Horizon decided to incorporate a pop group into their supposedly metal track. The clash between the sugary-sweet J-pop style of Babymetal and the aggressive nature of metal is jarring and completely undermines the integrity of the genre. It's an ill-conceived attempt at capturing mainstream attention, resulting in an embarrassing and forgettable collaboration. As if the damage wasn't enough, the EP continues to plummet into mediocrity with the inclusion of Yungblud in "Obey." Yungblud's feature is nothing more than annoying preteen drivel, with his grating and uninspired vocal delivery adding nothing of value to the song. His presence feels forced, as if the band was trying to appeal to a younger, more mainstream audience. The result is a track that lacks any substance or artistic integrity, instead catering to the lowest common denominator.
Furthermore, the EP's attempt at reviving the nu-metal genre is nothing short of a train wreck. Nu-metal had its heyday in the late '90s and early 2000s, and for good reason, it faded into obscurity. The genre's repetitive riffs, simplistic song structures, and angsty lyrics have already been done to death. It's puzzling why Bring Me the Horizon thought it was a good idea to revive this tired and worn-out sound. Instead of innovating or pushing the boundaries of metal, they simply regurgitate stale clichés, resulting in an EP that feels uninspired and unimaginative.
Post Human: Survival Horror is a catastrophic failure that epitomizes everything that is wrong with the current state of metal. Oli Sykes' autotuned vocals, the misplaced features, and the misguided attempt at reviving nu-metal all contribute to an EP that lacks artistic vision and originality. Bring Me the Horizon's latest offering is a forgettable and embarrassing misstep that only serves to highlight the decline of the genre as a whole. It puts a whole new meaning on "survival horror" for sure.
