Wilderness Review
Posted January 10, 2020
By RyanAdams_NRT, Staff Reviewer
What You Need To Know:
Cliffside is an independent, djent metalcore band from Canada. Wilderness is their debut EP which is a cohesive and impressive start for this band. 2019 was just the beginning for these guys. They have received a very positive reception and you can hopefully expect more soon.
What it Sounds Like:
Taylor and Joel, the founding members, tackle the unclean and clean vocals with shared duties, as most metalcore bands do. Catchy clean choruses and impressive unclean vocal techniques are found throughout each song. You will hear sweet guitar riffs, beefy breakdowns, and commanding drumming all executed together greatly in just five songs, with no filler tracks.
Spiritual Highlights:
Within Wilderness, you will find honest lyrics that do not shy from life's struggles while offering real hope. In "Traverse" there is a battle in one's mind. In "Hindsight" the reflection of the past brings hope to the future, because you can see God through the previous storm in life. In "Foundation", a struggle of one's identity is explored. "Through My Eyes" is an encouraging and bold song written from God's perspective to His children. In "Wilderness", finding the purpose of life and one's self is contemplated.
Best Song on the Record:
In the song, "Through My Eyes", there are no clean vocals, which one might presume that the message is a heavy one, given all the screaming. The opposite is true. The Scriptural truths are screamed at the top of their lungs because they need to be heard so desperately. The song also shows off some of the most impressive displays of vocal range and musical skill of the band. This song is the best of the five, even though each is excellent.
For Fans Of:
Amongst the Giants, War of Ages, Memphis May Fire
Final Word:
Cliffside's debut EP provides songs that are passionately relatable and Scripturally sound. The quality of their music is of the caliber you would expect from metalcore bands that have made several records previously. I love each of the five songs here and fully expect much more in the future from Cliffside. They have unexpected talent that is sure to please any metal fan. View All Music And Book Reviews By RyanAdams_NRT | View RyanAdams_NRT's Profile
|
