Sophomore albums are never a pleasant process. Vein.fm's debut, Errorzone, was so well-received by the hardcore community (even topping Exclaim!'s list of Best Metal and Hardcore Albums of 2018) that a follow-up would appear to be a daunting task. This World Is Going to Ruin You uses familiar hardcore tropes while taking big swings at larger, anthemic moments, capturing the expansion of a young band's sonic palate that, for the most part, pays off immensely.
On their second album, Vein.fm have taken care in mapping out a sonic experience for the listener. The record's sequencing leads breakdowns on songs like "Lights Out" to stand out amongst more sonically mellow turns, such as "Wherever You Are" and "Wavery." Individually, these subdued songs on the record do not seem particularly impactful when played out of album order. When mixed in amongst the chaos, however, these melody driven songs really propel the listen forward, breaking up the heaviness nicely.
For fans of panic chords and breakdowns, Vein.fm have some of their best to This World Is Going to Ruin You, showcasing seasoned craft and execution on "The Killing Womb" and "Orgy in The Morgue." Drummer Matt Wood has some of his best performances on this record, highlighted by his blast beats on "Versus Wyoming" and his intricate patterns throughout "Inside Design."
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of This World Is Going to Ruin You is its variety of melodic choruses, some of which land a bit flat. A performance from Thursday's Geoff Rickly on "Fear in Non Fiction" feels out place, sapping the song of its momentum. Considering the song's chaotic build-up, this vocal performance as the payoff feels anti-climatic and disappointing. Similarly, the chorus of "Magazine Beach" is very jarring, feeling forced and unnatural.
It is commendable to see Vein.fm incorporate these larger melodic moments, and in spite of varying results, not all of them are subpar. The haunting, beautiful album closer "Funeral Sound" is the album's finest track. Featuring sparse piano and faint vocals, the band triumphantly meld Deftones-indebted melodies into their punishing brand of hardcore.
This World Is Going to Ruin You feels like a peek into the future of what Vein.fm are going to become. While not everything works out as intended, the seeds have been sown for growth and refinement. The album does a great job of acknowledging the band's past, and where one can expect them to move forward.
(Closed Casket Activities)On their second album, Vein.fm have taken care in mapping out a sonic experience for the listener. The record's sequencing leads breakdowns on songs like "Lights Out" to stand out amongst more sonically mellow turns, such as "Wherever You Are" and "Wavery." Individually, these subdued songs on the record do not seem particularly impactful when played out of album order. When mixed in amongst the chaos, however, these melody driven songs really propel the listen forward, breaking up the heaviness nicely.
For fans of panic chords and breakdowns, Vein.fm have some of their best to This World Is Going to Ruin You, showcasing seasoned craft and execution on "The Killing Womb" and "Orgy in The Morgue." Drummer Matt Wood has some of his best performances on this record, highlighted by his blast beats on "Versus Wyoming" and his intricate patterns throughout "Inside Design."
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of This World Is Going to Ruin You is its variety of melodic choruses, some of which land a bit flat. A performance from Thursday's Geoff Rickly on "Fear in Non Fiction" feels out place, sapping the song of its momentum. Considering the song's chaotic build-up, this vocal performance as the payoff feels anti-climatic and disappointing. Similarly, the chorus of "Magazine Beach" is very jarring, feeling forced and unnatural.
It is commendable to see Vein.fm incorporate these larger melodic moments, and in spite of varying results, not all of them are subpar. The haunting, beautiful album closer "Funeral Sound" is the album's finest track. Featuring sparse piano and faint vocals, the band triumphantly meld Deftones-indebted melodies into their punishing brand of hardcore.
This World Is Going to Ruin You feels like a peek into the future of what Vein.fm are going to become. While not everything works out as intended, the seeds have been sown for growth and refinement. The album does a great job of acknowledging the band's past, and where one can expect them to move forward.