I’ve never been into BRING ME THE HORIZON. No particular reason – it simply didn’t agree with me. But then everybody was ranting about how “That’s The Spirit” sounded different that I decided to check out that difference. Now it’s too early to say I’ve become a fan, but while I’ve always felt something was off with their metalcore demeanor, this more… alternative (?) approach is more tight and whole.

I’ve found myself totally surrendered to the gloomy seduction of the opening track “Doomed”, and then totally hyped with the catchy enthusiasm of “Happy Song” (those cheerleader chants are priceless). There’s something powerful about “Throne” and I don’t mean just the inspiring lyrics. The melody itself is able to stir strength and determination in you. The stinging keyboards in “True Friends”. The overall enthralling “Avalanche”. The somber groove of “Run”. Or the party vibe of “Oh No”. The songwriting process for each track, whether it’s a sharper or a softer one, seems to have been polished, resulting in something dynamic and classy.

I’m just not sure about how this will work out live, with all the auto-tune and vocal tricks – Sykes either goes natural and things sound… different, or he overuses backtracks and it feels like playback – but I’ll leave that for when/if I see them on stage. In studio, “That’s The Spirit” won me over.

Label: Sony

Producers: Jordan Fish & Oliver Sykes

Tracklist:

1. Doomed
2. Happy Song
3. Throne
4. True Friends
5. Follow You
6. What You Need
7. Avalanche
8. Run
9. Drown
10. Blasphemy
11. Oh No

www.bmthofficial.com/