Inoffensive, paint-by-numbers, cookie-cutter, and lacking heft are usually not descriptors I bestow upon albums I enjoy. However… They still apply here. So, what I’m saying is that Colors in Grey by Oathbound is not for me.
This is for the metal-curious folks. I’d imagine this gets rotations on Sirius Octane along with all the other more mainstream-leaning metalcore acts of today. Listen to the title track, which is the first official one, “Colors in Grey.” Screamed verses, sung choruses. It’s the formula that seems to work. The limp dick production doesn’t do the lack of riffs or heft any favor. On this chorus (and the others on the album), there’s an effect on the vocals, which is clearly a pitch correction. The first time I listened, I may have said out loud, “Make it stop.”
They didn’t make it stop, though. No, sir! Oathbound forges forward, nary a hummable riff in sight. Trust me, I searched. Their riff field is fucking barren. This is something that is not masked even by the electronics at the beginning of “The Masks We Wear.” The vocals have that same pitch-corrected effect during the chorus as they do throughout. These songs sound like a studio rush job. I hate to hammer an album so hard, especially since it’s their debut.
However, when I read about a band whose focus is supposed to be emotional, unfiltered, heavy, progressive compositions, and they’re not, I must chime in. Even the heavier moments, relatively speaking, are just flaccid, such as the breakdown with less than a minute left in “Insomniac.”
If you didn’t know, I will make no bones about being a fan of metalcore. God Forbid I criticize it. When done right, it’s one of the most emotionally affective styles. When it’s not done well, such as on the longest track for Colors in Grey called “Hold On,” its lack of depth is infinitely noticeable. It’s been said a lot of today’s music lacks soul because of its digital dependence, and I can’t help but get the feeling this album is completely fabricated studio magic, but they need a new spell.
Before you go, wait! I did find a positive. It’s only 32 minutes.
If this is what modern, mainstream metal is, I do not like it. I listened to this album so many times, hoping to come out with some redeeming qualities to balance the negativity. I just couldn’t do it. It covers areas that have long since been well-tread. I can’t non-recommend this enough. I’m not hating this just to do it. I truthfully don’t understand the point of such an album.
[Visit the band's website]Comments
Leave a Reply