AlexisonfireOtherness

There’s something about Alexisonfire that just doesn’t falter.

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Not only are they one of the only bands out there that could deservingly have every single album in their catalog individually rank in a ‘Top 50 Albums of Metalcore’ list, they are one of the only modern day metal acts that have never phoned it in. And considering the scene group were innovators in the emergence of metalcore, ushering in the now tried and true formula of screamed verses married with clean choruses, it would have been pretty easy for them to for their first release in 13 years. But that just doesn’t seem in Alexis’ mantra.

Otherness isn’t just a remake. Sure, the post hardcore inspired bellows of George Petit combined with the swooning vocals of Dallas Green and Wade MacNeil make it feel like a classic Alexis’ album. However, the overall use of instrumentation and the forward thinking nature that the veterans approach their songwriting defines their fifth album as so much more than your standard comeback album. As an opener, Committed To The Con grabs you early, with a gritty bassline and building rhythms evoking so much tension and energy immediately from the outset, it’s the perfect welcome back. Sweet Dreams of Otherness, which sees Petit adopt a much slower vocal cadence that allows him to bend and snarl each note with an energy that feels like a restrained dog standing on its two hind legs.

Otherness doesn’t just meet expectations, it completely surpasses them. Yet again, Alexis’ have stepped into new and exciting territories, and as expected, they’ve pulled it off, this time at even greater heights.

Conditional Love delivers anthemic breaks and chanted vocals that feel like a throwback to the group’s hardcore roots, as does the energetic and fast paced Reverse The Curse. However, it’s tracks like Dark Night Of The Soul which really stand out, due to it’s powerful use of all three vocalists’ who provide a haunting, folk undertone alongside Pink Floyd-esque guitar licks; or Worlds Stop Turning, which effortlessly combines electric and acoustic guitar’s in an epic 8 minute closer that’ll be sure to impress live. Considering it’s Alexisonfire’s first album in 13 years, Otherness doesn’t just meet expectations, it completely surpasses them. Yet again, Alexis’ have stepped into new and exciting territories, and as expected, they’ve pulled it off, this time at even greater heights.

STANDOUT TRACKS: Committed To The Con, Dark Night Of The Soul, World Stops Turning
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