It’s about time someone sent the Japanese metal scene crashing into the wider consciousness and with ‘Apocalyze’, Crossfaith have assembled a convincing argument that it should be them wielding the hammer.
Having released their first EP back in 2008, the Osaka bruisers then put out a couple of albums before forcing everyone to pull their heads out of their arses with the superb ‘Zion’ EP last year. Packing a multitude of riffs with synth lines thicker than Corey Taylor's neck, it was the perfect blend of modern dance music and metal. After a stint supporting Bring Me The Horizon, now seems like the perfect time for Crossfaith to launch their latest attack.
Album opener We Are The Future grips like an iron vice to the testicles, Koie Kenta's war cry of “Let’s Go!” signalling a flurry of danceable keyboards running alongside a barrages of savage riffs.
So far, so Crossfaith. But then, halfway through the song, something happens. It’s that moment the kids always seem to be calling 'the drop'. What can only be described as dubstep destruction follows and the electronic assault actually manages to be heavier than the guitars, desolating everything.
Crossfaith make music to dance to. Over 11 tracks, this Japanese wrecking crew smash their way through enough party anthems to make Andrew WK look like a pensioner. Every track is as addictive as the one before, yet the album displays enough diversity and flavour to avoid ever being boring. Eclipse could genuinely be played in a club, while the opening bars of Gala Hala (Burn The House Down) end up sounding like Limp Bizkit having a tea party with Skrillex and Slipknot.
Of course, it's the slightly leftfield moments that further tantalise the battered ears of any listeners with enough sense to pick up this album. Strings and female vocals on Counting Stars add oodles of depth to proceedings, while the cinematic bursts of keyboard halfway through Deathwish further accentuate the electronic madness that follows.
Kenta's clean vocals have improved tenfold, and his melodic wailing during album closer Only The Wise Can Control Our Eyes carries plenty of crossover appeal. Even though Crossfaith's cover of the Prodigy's Omen in 2011 was absolutely banging, his clean vocals did fall some way short of the mark. So good on him.
After two previous attempts, Crossfaith have finally nailed a consistent album. The band are now completely in control of the metal/dance balance in their music and the addition of these anthems to their already blistering live show is only going to take them to the next level.
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
