Source: Album Artwork
So, another day, another metalcore album. This time it’s Michigan quintet It Lies Within with their sophomore release Paramount, sporting a suspiciously illuminati-esque cover. After listening to this, it’s not entirely unreasonable to suggest that It Lies Within are actually overlords of some secret cult we have neither been initiated into nor understand – one that has brainwashed so many people into thinking their music contains even one scrap of originality or is actually any good.
A few seconds into the debatable intro ‘Open Your Eyes’ (more Illuminati?) and you’ll have already made up your mind as to whether you want to carry on listening to this or not. Of course, we had to for the purpose of this review. Laden with cheesy synths, retching vocals and the typical dudun-dudun guitar rhythm which is oh-so popular with practically every metalcore band in existence, this minute-and-a-bit intro pretty much sums up the entire album.
Apparently, Paramount contains many different styles of metal and EDM. Correct us if we’re wrong (we’re not) but you can hardly call drenching everything in keyboards and throwing in the odd half-arsed glitchy sound effect ‘EDM’. There’s nothing new about mixing EDM with metal, and it’s definitely been done a lot better than this.
‘Reap What You Sow’ sounds like it’s designed for the type of people you wouldn’t want to stand next to in the mosh pit. You know, the type of brainless idiots who stand in the middle of the pit and punch everyone, themselves and each other, just to prove how ‘ard they are. It’s one of the heavier tracks on the album and contains a filthy little breakdown in the middle, along with more glitchy ‘EDM’ noises.
Pick any song and it’s more or less the same. Take the synth overkill away and there is nothing memorable or remotely unique here, bar the odd catchy melody and decent guitar solo. It’s time metalcore bands found new ways to be heavy, rather than relying on the same tired riffs, badly-delivered breakdowns and shoddy attempts at adding electronic elements into the mix. Rip up the blueprint, throw away all your synth pads and start again. Maybe then next time we’ll be treated to something new and exciting.
