Reviewed by Tony Cummings

This, the band's sixth studio album, is surely their best ever. The same team that produced 'Define The Great Line' (Adam Dutkiewicz and Matt Goldman) have proceeds soundscapes which are utterly massive while the band's songwriting contains both a new spiritual militancy and some unexpected dalliances with calming melody in between the ear-splitting riffs and drums which sound like they were recorded in a mineshaft. Take the opener, "Breathing In A New Mentality". It starts with some riffing and some snare hits and then, in the words of another reviewer, "punches you in the mouth." Spencer Chamberlain's screaming seems to come from another planet while the razor-sharp guitar chords are truly memorable. Another great cut is the wonderfully named "Anyone Can Dig A Hole But It Takes A Real Man To Call It Home". Aural delights continue throughout. "Emergency Broadcast/The End Is Near" starts a little like Nine Inch Nails but finishes in a place of shimmering beauty; "Too Bright To See, Too Loud To Hear" builds and builds, crescendoing in a flurry of cymbals and power chords; while the closer, "Desolate Earth/The End Is Hear" starts with electronic beats and wistful piano chords before strings kick in and the guitars start to spin it into another direction. A fine album from a fine band.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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