It's hard for 2020 to bring out anything relevant in the groove metal / technical metal / deathcore / metalcore area, because 
in the last 10- 15 years all possible combinations have been used, so it seems that everything has already been said, that everything has been tried. However, there are bands that, despite everything, manage to exceed expectations and write true, innovative, relevant albums. After Smoke Clears, a young band from London, is such an example. On November 12, the band will release their first album, Edification, which will contain 10 songs. The band was extremely active and has already released 6 singles, for which they also filmed very good videos, I could say. Before this album, another e.p. appeared, Disillusion, in 2019, with which the band gained quite a bit of notoriety in the underground. Now they have signed with Anaconda Media and become even more visible.
From the first song, The Vine, it is understood that we will have a brutal, energetic, violent, uncompromising album. In none of the tracks, except the last one, Edify, do we have much of clean singing, or melancholy in music. The last song is a bit more of a ballad, with the contribution of an extremely good female voice, which gives an obvious nice addition to the song. All the others are direct, full of strong riffs and a masterful rhythm.
Machine Dependent somehow starts in the newer Parkway Drive style, but only in the first few seconds, then returns to its own uncontaminated style. It is also one of the reference songs of the album, with a softer voice in some places. Deterioration continues along following the same lines, but brings more musicality. Invigorate has a more classic structure, closer to pure and rough grooves, much more linear, but not in a bad way. Beta to Gamma focuses more on creating an atmosphere, especially with the help of drums, but also with some well-done breakdowns. I imagine this song being sung live at a concert, where it would kick ass!
The next two tracks, Rapacious and Extinguo, bring elements I've met in bands like Bury Tomorrow, but without the recent melodic passages, Lamb Of God or Pantera (which is definitely a big influence, especially the final albums) . Buried seems to me the most innovative song on the album, both instrumental and vocal, it has many changes of rhythm, many good ideas, which are well put into practice. Awaken is a good piece for opening a moshpit, it is both catchy and brutal at the same time.
The whole album manages to be relevant and good by the fact that it not only recycles old formulas, but brings new elements, thoughtful riffs, the voice is not monotonous at all, the drums sound even cooler, and the bass contributes decisively to the brutal, energetic passages. Edification is a perfect example of a well-produced album, direct, brutal and melodic at the same time.
in the last 10- 15 years all possible combinations have been used, so it seems that everything has already been said, that everything has been tried. However, there are bands that, despite everything, manage to exceed expectations and write true, innovative, relevant albums. After Smoke Clears, a young band from London, is such an example. On November 12, the band will release their first album, Edification, which will contain 10 songs. The band was extremely active and has already released 6 singles, for which they also filmed very good videos, I could say. Before this album, another e.p. appeared, Disillusion, in 2019, with which the band gained quite a bit of notoriety in the underground. Now they have signed with Anaconda Media and become even more visible.From the first song, The Vine, it is understood that we will have a brutal, energetic, violent, uncompromising album. In none of the tracks, except the last one, Edify, do we have much of clean singing, or melancholy in music. The last song is a bit more of a ballad, with the contribution of an extremely good female voice, which gives an obvious nice addition to the song. All the others are direct, full of strong riffs and a masterful rhythm.
Machine Dependent somehow starts in the newer Parkway Drive style, but only in the first few seconds, then returns to its own uncontaminated style. It is also one of the reference songs of the album, with a softer voice in some places. Deterioration continues along following the same lines, but brings more musicality. Invigorate has a more classic structure, closer to pure and rough grooves, much more linear, but not in a bad way. Beta to Gamma focuses more on creating an atmosphere, especially with the help of drums, but also with some well-done breakdowns. I imagine this song being sung live at a concert, where it would kick ass!
The next two tracks, Rapacious and Extinguo, bring elements I've met in bands like Bury Tomorrow, but without the recent melodic passages, Lamb Of God or Pantera (which is definitely a big influence, especially the final albums) . Buried seems to me the most innovative song on the album, both instrumental and vocal, it has many changes of rhythm, many good ideas, which are well put into practice. Awaken is a good piece for opening a moshpit, it is both catchy and brutal at the same time.
The whole album manages to be relevant and good by the fact that it not only recycles old formulas, but brings new elements, thoughtful riffs, the voice is not monotonous at all, the drums sound even cooler, and the bass contributes decisively to the brutal, energetic passages. Edification is a perfect example of a well-produced album, direct, brutal and melodic at the same time.
Mark: 8.5
Tracklist:
- The Vine
- Machine Dependent
- Deterioration
- Invigorate
- Beta To Gamma
- Rapacious
- Extinguo
- Buried
- Awaken
- Edify
Band: After Smoke Clears
Album: Edification
Release: 2020
Label: Anaconda Media
