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After The Burial impacted the Minneapolis music scene around a year ago and, after months of playing scattered shows, solidifying their own sound and putting out a demo, quickly grew in popularity. They are now one of the, if not the, biggest unsigned Midwest act. With all this popularity came a lot of pressure write a solid debut record.
After The Burial did just that, and so much more.
Right off the bat, After The Burial can be described as playing technical, death metal-oriented metalcore with a variety of outside influences, including classic and alternative rock. With that said, though, don't assume that the band doesn't bring a brutal game; each song has its own set of perfectly placed breakdowns and two-step parts, along with loads of guitar shredding. Vocalist Nick Wellner explores a wide range of vocals and also includes random tongue rolls and mid-ranged yells. Both guitarists work a variety of patterns into their songs, but always manage to include some all-out shredding in each song. Altogether, the band sounds tight and solid.
Forging The Future Self is powerful throughout its entire length. Using the already noted classic and alternative rock influences, the band crafts songs like "Fingers Like Daggers," which, aside from being my favorite song, is really melodic. The band's breakdowns, especially in "Engulfed," bring to mind Meshuggah or With Dead Hands Rising. What's really interesting about this album is that the whole thing is incredibly catchy and never fully succumbs to pressures to be overly technical or set on mosh parts. The band stays complex but not to the point of numbing listeners' minds. The album has eights songs and an intro and flows perfectly. As I never get bored while listening, I wish they would have included one or two more tracks.
After The Burial has a lot going for them. If you are a fan of any type of breakdown-laden death metal/metalcore, pick up this fucking record. All After The Burial has to do now is wait for a label that's smart enough to pick them up.
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