Reviewed by Christian Cunningham

Following their near split in 2006, the band decided to continue and this is the result of their efforts. With a new line up, it is a very different beast from the last album 'Son, I Loved You At Your Darkest', and we should note here that 'Come Now Sleep' is not your typical Solid State Records head banger release. With little of the screamed vocals of their previous opus, the whole direction of the band's sound has changed considerably. Cody Bonnette's voice is not the best, of that there is no doubt, but his vulnerable sounding voice is the perfect complement to the creepy, otherworldly atmosphere invoked by the layered jangly spangly guitars and the driving bass lines. The album song dynamics are explored to their fullest, from the ethereal opener "Contact" to the rock-along mayhem of "This Is It, This Is It". Throughout, the introspective, brooding songcraft gives the album a melancholic intensity. Lyrically there are some meaty subjects to chew on, lending the whole proceedings an even weightier air. Intense, complicated and challenging; As Cities Burn made the right decision about carrying on.

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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