New Years day were formed back in 2005, and are an all American rock band from Anaheim, California. They have returned some 4 years after their last release, ‘Malevolence’, with their new inception, ‘Unbreakable’.
I started off trying to dissect each track individually, in order to build a true and comprehensive review of this release, but after scribing to the first 4 songs, it became obvious and apparent that a recipe had been found which the band were completely safe and comfortable with, and they injected this into every track that build the foundations to this album. So with very little diversity to highlight I decided to package this review as one.
Each track starts with a quieter intro, either with Costello’s vocals taking centre stage, or a quiet yet beautiful piano doodle, and then the band kick in with some catchy vocals from Costello, and groovy, powerful riffs from the rest of the group. The drums are immovable in their power and precision, and the tracks have elements of synthesised essences throughout.
The tracks do exude fragments of beauty, with the vocals intermittently taking solo spots in amongst the brutal rock backbone of the release. There are segments of genius and aptitude sparking some variety, which this album is definitely in need of or else it would be at risk of being more repetitive and monotonous than it already is.
The album is constructed of 12 tracks all in all, and I struggled to find any difference between the individual songs as they all seem to bulldozer into one huge rocking body. The only track that is worthy of a mention for injecting a difference is ‘Break My Body’ although it has to be noted that the annotation is not of a positive slant. The track sits a little stage right from the others due to its ‘nu-metal’ esque sounds and suggestions, and it has forged similarities to being reminiscence of a Papa Roach and Linkin Park mash up, although, even with this similarity New Years Day seem to be the poorer cousin in the execution.
The whole album is rocky and catchy and may suit fans of the more modern, futuristic rock end of the spectrum, it would even possibly sit well in a ‘kerrang type forum’, but if you prefer your metal, or even rock come to think of it, as a more genuine article which exudes true heart and not so much of an obvious ‘find a method and stick to it’ recipe, then this needs to stay out of your life.
(5/10 Phil Pountney)
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