Review Summary: Join us in the glow
Self-described as “gloom metal”, Soft Curse occupies a similar emotional space to the “flower violence” of 2024's “Children of The Moon”. That comparison is perhaps inevitable, considering that four members of State Faults—Jonny Andrew, Michael Weldon, Jef Overn, and Dan Ford—make up this band as well.
Still, Soft Curse is far more than a side project or continuation of that sound. The band has carved out a distinct identity of its own, and very few moments on this record feel like they could have been lifted directly from State Faults' previous work.
Opening track “Ritual” introduces us to a heavy and dreary atmosphere of unease and impending doom. Starting off with soft cymbals and eerie lead guitars, followed by more stoner- and sludge-influenced rhythmic guitars, and later on a bass that feels perfect for marching towards the end of the world. Delicate and soft vocal delivery sits in the background of the noise and culminates in a screeching falsetto that sounds somewhere between Geddy Lee and King Diamond. The track ends with a solo that seems to overcome the sense of hopelessness the song conveys and is delivered with an optimistic and warm tone.
Next track “Lunar Hymn” encapsulates a lot of the sludge and stoner influences from the previous track, but here their emo and post-hardcore background becomes more apparent, as the best way to describe this song is that, in a nutshell, it is basically what Alice In Chains would sound like if they were a post-hardcore band with a flair for prog influences. The melodies on this song are infectious, and the vocal delivery is brighter and more upfront than on the previous track, like a ray of sunlight breaking through a grey and sludgy cloud.
With “Marasmus”, they use a lot of the same elements, but just turned up a notch, or two… or three. The riffs on this track beg for you to turn the volume up, and by perfectly blending in more solos and even a section with good old emo screaming, this is truly a standout on this LP.
“Chrysalism” slows things down a little and is a bleak, almost seven-minute-long epic that just leaves you in awe. This is not a track you'd see coming after mostly sludgy and stoner-esque playing. It feels like a hybrid of “Children of The Moon” and “Liminal Ritual”, and yet another standout. The song is also proof that the spiritual aspects and themes from State Faults influence their writing in Soft Curse as well. This song has some of the best lyrics on the album, with lines like:
“Dark calls the night
Safer in the afterglow
Autumn's warmth outstretched
To slowly decompose
You wrap your arms around me
But you're not really there
And my heart becomes too heavy”
Listening to “Ghost Prism” now, driven by its groovy beats, infectious rhythm guitars, and catchy vocals, it becomes very obvious why this was chosen as the lead single for this album. It is also the most upbeat song on the tracklist and introduces many of the ingredients found throughout this record.
“In The Night” stands out as the tightest the band sounds on the whole record. The riffs here are just immaculate, and the band sounds as in sync with each other as Black Sabbath in their prime. This song feels like an obvious nod to them, as well as others.
“Wrong Star” remains true to the sound of this album, but it simultaneously sounds like it has bits and pieces of “Children of The Moon” infused into its DNA. The drumming performance really stands out on this track.
“Weight of The Sky” comes out of nowhere and, just like “Chrysalism”, is a good change of pace on this record. Similar to that song, this one too is an epic, and the longest song on the album, spanning over seven minutes. It is best described as a calm in the storm and a well-deserved rest after a journey through trauma. The lyrics seem to support that sentiment as well, and combined with the masterful instrumentation, it results in this song becoming the centrepiece of the album.
“The sun slowly rises inside of you
Banishing the dark
Cast away all the gloom
But twilight falls again
I know you've carried it all
I know you want it all gone”
Soft Curse has proven that they sure as hell can riff and can even compete with the best out there, but it is when they slow down and focus less on riffs and more on exploring emotion that they really shine. Well, we already knew that. These guys are in the same band that made “Children of The Moon”, for God's sake. That being said this is a very good record and much better than i expected it to be. I wouldnt mind getting more records from this group down the line, but first we need that COTM follow up!
