Released on 28th April, metalcore band Death Remains released their sophomore album Destroy/Rebuild. This is a hard hitting heavy record that truly understands metalcore, finding a midpoint, a balance between both hardcore and metal.
Opening with semi title track Destroy, the album starts heavy with blast beats and heavy riffs leading the song. Whilst the breakdown on this song isn’t as hard hitting as other metalcore bands, the post breakdown bass line is unmistakably hardcore, and more than makes up for this. Furthermore perfectly epitomizes the seamless balance between hardcore and metal that is achieved on this record. The record continues this perfect blend, even when more melodic vocals are introduced. The standout songs of the album are Endure and Survive and Hardship as they combine brilliantly heavier vocals, group shouting vocals (synonymous with hardcore) as well as melodic vocals which are produced to such a high standard they don’t sacrifice the heavy nature of this record.
While the melodic elements of this record will no doubt lead to comparisons with Killswitch Engage and August Burns Red, they don’t quite have the sing a long hooks that these bands achieve when at their best. This being said Death Remains show immense quality on the heavier side of this genre. By no means are the melodic aspects detrimental to the quality of this record, they simply aren’t quite at the extremely high level set by others in this genre. In some areas the combination of more melodic guitars with the heavier vocals (most notable on Pathways and Futile Existence) work brilliantly, highlighting the potential this band has to excel within their scene.
Destroy/Rebuild is a brilliant hard hitting metalcore record, that really excels at the heavier side of the genre. Throughout the album Death Remains seamlessly tread the line between hardcore and metal. Whilst the melodic vocals aren’t quite at the level that this band aspires, they are certainly close, and definitely showcase the potential this band has in its future.