Metalcore these days seems to be getting slightly cliche’d and many artists jumping on the bandwagon are sounding too much like a watered down version of their heroes. So upon listening to the latest release by Tennessee metallers Straight Line Stitch, I was intrigued at what this 5-piece had to offer, did they jump on the bandwagon and sound like almost every other recent Metalcore band out there?
The answer, thankfully, is no, almost immediately you could hear SLS making their mark on the Metalcore scene by adding their own style such as heavy downtuned guitars, chuggier riffs and infectous choruses. Starting off with ‘Tear Down The Sky’, it has an intro which would fit on any Arch Emeny record before an almighty riff destined for the most intense mosh-pits. Vocalist Alexis Brown is on stunning form, especially as she sings her heart out on one of the albums many soaring choruses.
Lead single ‘Conversion’ continues where its predecessor left off, starting off with drummer Kanky Lora’s insane double bass drumming leading on to the furious sounding verse before another catchy chorus. ‘Laughing in the Rearview’ adds some groove to the proceedings, this is without a doubt one of the standout tracks of the album, its also the most epic sounding. Not only does it have yet another chorus that’ll (as Brown sings) ‘Blow You Away’, the guitar work of Seth Thacker and former Darkest Hour guitarist Kris Norris is phenomenal to say the least, the guitars sound huge, almost Melodic Death sounding and even the likes of Soilwork would wish they’d have created something like it.
‘Cold Front’ slows down the pace, and its also where Alexis Brown’s melodic vocals really comes into light, showcasing her amazing vocal range alongside dark sounding guitars before a neck-breaker of a middle section.
The 2nd half of the album features a more of a Hard Rock edge to their sound, for example, ‘One Reason’ starts of with the ‘chuggiest’ of riffs yet, and the chorus is even better, its the best one on the album and the most epic. ‘Never Surrender’ is by far the poppiest song on the album, adding a touch of Post-Hardcore in the verse and it works really well, its always so refreshing to hear bands that arent afraid to tinker with their sound a bit, and it also diversifies the album keeping the listener happy rather than sticking to the age-old routine that is by making every song sound the same. It doesnt necessarily end the album that way, ‘Sound Of Silence’ ensures that SLS still got some more riffs up on their sleeve by showcasing a more Chimaira sound with quick double bass drumming, even blastbeats just to add to the brutality!
Final song of the album is the ballad ‘Ashes In The Wind’, it finishes the album off on a more delicate note, starting off with an In Flames-esque intro and adding some keyboards to the chorus to add to its epicness. On the whole, Straight Line Stitch have created a monster of an album, personally it could be a contender for album of the year. Yes, its THAT good.
To everyone unfamiliar with the band should approach this album with caution, as its a No Weak Track Zone! A must have for any Metalhead.
Best Songs: One Reason, Laughing In The Rearview.
For Fans Of: Killswitch Engage, Soilwork, Wicked Wisdom.
Check out Straight Line Stitch here - http://www.myspace.com/straightlinestitch
Words by Graeme Williams
