Album Review: Bring Me the Horizon- Sempiternal

RATING: 5/5

Having carved a name in stone for themselves within the metalcore scene over the past several years, British headbangers Bring Me the Horizon make what may be their most monumental return with their fourth studio album Sempiternal. The band recently traded in rhythm guitarist Jona Weinhofen in exchange for keyboardist Jordan Fish, who helps add a fresh dynamic to their sound. BMTH's approach has gradually grown more organized and sophisticated over the course of their discography, and Sempiternal is certainly a far cry from the sporadic shredding fits and pelting snares of their earlier works. It is the apex of a transformation long in the making, balancing delicate melodies with fierce riffage and deep arena drum blasts. Along with some of the most profound lyrics yet from frontman Oli Sykes, the end result is a beautifully brutal collection of ceremonious metallic gold.

Longtime fans of the band may find themselves in a state of disagreement, however; to some, Sempiternal is a downgrade from what a hard-hitting BMTH album should be. No, it does not compare to the fierce mosh pit status of Suicide Season or the chaotic, leaping melodies of Count Your Blessings. Sempiternal aims to slow down the pace of things, allowing the listener to appreciate its organization and production value. The true power of the album is not delivered as a cocktail of manic sonic forces, as many works of similar metal sub genres typically tend to be. Rather, it resonates in a way that accentuates the individual aspects of each track. "Electronically, it's far more advanced than anything we've done before", comments Sykes. 1 On "Can You Feel My Heart", for example, Fish's synths resemble an electronically distorted bagpipe, and create a chilling premise that is accented by Matt Nicholls' steady drums reverberating like battle field cannon fire. There's a peculiar kind of stimulation that arises from the diversity of elements present. Trading in-your-face aggression for more refined musical and lyrical themes gives Sempiternal a uniquely epic quality and a greater sense of purpose. You can really connect with each song and make it your own personal anthem. But that doesn't mean there isn't enough heaviness to rage to. "Shadow Moses" is a head-banger's delight with an uplifting chorus that provides a soaring intermission before the weight of the track comes crashing down once again. Oli's vocals throughout the album are a confrontation of personal demons as well other provocative matters. One track that stands out in particular in this regard is "House of Wolves", a harshly outright denial of religion, capped off by a cascading breakdown in which he yells, "And when you die the only kingdom you'll see is 2 foot wide and 6 foot deep." While such blasphemy may leave some listeners questioning the band's approach, it is a prime example of their bold direction and fearless ingenuity.

Bring Me The Horizon present contemprary metal in a graceful new way on Sempiternal, and makes a strong case for their maturity and attention to detail. There is not one track on the album that I can say is merely filler. Every sequence, every instrument track, and every lyric is well developed and seamlessly integrated to create a true work of art. Sempiternal sets the bar high without trying to be something it's not. It is in every way a fitting picture of BMTH, and in my opinion the most high-definiton one yet.

1 http://www.epitaph.com/artists/artist/260/Bring_Me_The_Horizon#albdesc