Review Summary: ‘Rise To Remain’ a very appropriate title for another new face of metalcore as they bring an E.P. to the table before releasing a full length debut album.
The somewhat unchanged genre of metalcore is receiving another group of young faces to add to their ever-growing ranks. The Bridges Will Burn E.P. has much of the makings that have become well known from the likes of Killswitch Engage, Trivium and almost neighbours Bullet For My Valentine. Rise To Remains’ E.P. is definitely a teaser for what is to come.
Having elements that many other bands use is not necessarily a bad thing i.e. the heavy usually screamed verses broken by a cleanly sung chorus structure lining that are commonplace in the metalcore genre as a whole. The positive elements of Rise To Remain are that they use the already done features in a way to not tire listeners or make them skip tracks. From machine gun like double bass drum work to superb heavy guitar riffs, including throat ripping screamed vocal lines, most will find at least something they will like about these young new-comers.
Gaining popularity from metal magazines such as “Hammer” who allowed this E.P. to be displayed on an international level, including this as a ‘freebie’ with their magazine has helped to push Rise To Remain to the forefront of metal fans minds. Also adding a level of interest to the band is the thought of like father like son as Austin Dickinson is the fabled son of Iron Maiden front man Bruce Dickinson, however fans of Maiden’s work may be shocked with the musical direction.
Elements in their music can be found in the likes of Trivium, Bullet For My Valentine, Lamb Of God and many others combined into this one package should add a level of diversity to their music including some features not from the metalcore genre fans of the metal genre will find at least something they will like about Rise To Remain.
A negative aspect of the E.P. includes Dickinson’s clean vocal lines and while they add to the bands overall sound many may find a whiny note or two in various parts of the tracks that take some of the musical quality as a whole down a notch. Also used are the overdone breakdowns of the genre, and there is not much different here and while they are relatively tasteful they do progress a little too long to have the desired effect on the listener. This does not however create the fall of the band, and the instrumentation of the members are of particular notice including the rhythm and lead guitar work of opening track ‘Bridges Will Burn’. Bridges Will Burn includes hard hitting drop tuned riff work whilst underneath lead melody lines dance creating an interesting listen for the listen. The clean work used in the chorus lines add to Rise To Remains’ creative diversity levels and highlights the talent yet to be unleashed into the metal community. It is easy to say that each member knows what they are doing. The harsh vocal lines noting the screams that range from highs to low growls and anything to everything between displays a great sense of talent. The guitar work as mentioned before is outstanding and the solo work should get many heads turning with the various sweeps, harmonics and shredded arpeggio lines to create a high level of interest for the listener. The drum work of Pat Lundy is of a very high standard giving the listeners a barrage of creative and technical noise but even more importantly he knows when to tone it back adding to the overall musicianship to the album. The bass guitar while relatively unnoticeable does maintain the main rhythms of the guitars and follows steadily without taking anything from the music, fading in and out of the mixes.
Overall Rise To Remain show a great level of talent and should soon be of more notice to the metal community, and while in the early stages of their career promote a great sense of musicianship. This E.P. is an example of what is to come and while making some quality music there seems to be one question needed asking: “Are they the next big thing out of the UK?”
Highlights Include: Bridges Will Burn, Illusive Existence
