Band: Of Mice & Men
Release: The Flood (Deluxe Reissue – Album)
Release Date: Out Now
Rising from the ashes of mainstream nu-metal, metalcore merged the electronic and technical elements which led to the nu-metal classification with the emotive and angst-ridden lyrics which confounded the melodic “emo” scene at the turn of the century. As the decade unfolded, the multiplication of metalcore bands was unprecedented, as seemingly any teenager with a guitar and something to shout about was obtaining a record deal.
As the market became oversaturated with these bands, and all three genres were tarnished with negative connotations, only a handful of bands stuck to their guns and continued down the blemished path. The decline in metalcore outfits ensured that those seeking to create a similar sound had to break the mould in order to separate themselves from the historic pack; thus Of Mice & Men find themselves labelled as the saviours of metalcore, yet the accuracy of this accolade remains to be seen. With the re-release of 2011’s well-received album (‘The Flood’), and the inclusion of four new tracks to entice the listenership, the Californian metallers find themselves on the verge of something big.
Perhaps an extravagant introduction, nevertheless Of Mice & Men are not about to do things by halves. Released as a two disc reissue, ‘The Flood (Deluxe)’ sees the original LP take its place on the second disc, while the true excitement emerges from the four tracks which form disc one. This is not to say that disc two lacks excitement – the ferocity of ‘The Flood’ has been well documented since its release – however the new tracks see the band coming into their own.
Opening the record with a gentle introduction to their developed sound, second track ‘The Storm’ explodes into technically experimental new territory which fits perfectly around vocalists Carlile’s boisterous combination of screams and agitated spoken word. Out of the four new tracks lead single ‘The Depths’ implicates the metal foundations of the music the most, layering a level of empirical technicality over tradition. All four new tracks pull together to form a genuinely enthralling musical experience, taking cues from metallic behemoths of the moment such as Bring Me The Horizon or Architects. The record does not emulate contemporaries, but rather expertly applies their influence into the new direction.
Perhaps disappointingly, the original album feels somewhat downtrodden by these opening four tracks. The steady sway between clean vocals and brutal screams retains the power it had, but appears immature next to the new sound. Arguably, Of Mice & Men may have been more successful had they released the first disc as a standalone EP, rather than packaging it together with an inferior album; inferior only due to the volatile force of newer material.
The deluxe edition of their breakthrough album is undoubtedly a worthy listen for those looking for a future in the metalcore genre. Particularly for those who have not experienced the original record, this comes as a highly recommended release. The potentially mind-blowing nature of the opening disc is a must-hear, however the entire package is let down by the combination of the old and new. Despite this, one thing remains clear: Of Mice & Men are certainly on their way to being something truly special.
7/10
Reviewer: Ben Tipple
