POST HUMAN:SURVIVAL HORROR - BMTH (2020) REVIEW

POST HUMAN:SURVIVAL HORROR - BMTH (2020) REVIEW

Smashing their way through our music library since 2006, Bring Me The Horizon have been blasting through headphones for 15 years. Their sound has evolved into something different to what they started out with, always thinking of what they can do next. Full length ‘Amo’ (2019) left some listeners disappointed and wanting a heavier sound, but it’s clear they’re onto bigger and better things. Although full-lengths ‘That’s The Spirit’ (2015) and ‘Amo’ (2019) were different to previous heavy releases, they’ve somewhat turned back time with new release ‘POST HUMAN: SURVIVAL HORROR’, shared in October 2020.

With reference to the title in this song, the first track we’re met with is ‘Dear Diary,’ slapping us in the face with rough, screaming Oliver Sykes. Sticking to their routes, whilst branching into more experimental forms at times. BMTH let us into their recording process for this record where Jordan and Oli made YouTube videos trying new styles and experimenting. It’s clear that Jordan is the director of their new music, only right to show fans how much he actually does and finally getting credit for it.

Tracks ‘Ludens’ and ‘Parasite Eve’ were released as lead singles, extremely popular with fans, possibly because the previous releases were more pop. It was as though the new elements gave ammunition for it to be a personality trait to dislike their new material, just because their older releases were heavier. So track ‘Teardrops’ is somewhere in the middle for fans of metal and also pop/rock. This track propels the EP with its music video, which Oli directed, edited and starred in - drawing his personal relationship with depression and crafting a visual representation of him drowning.

Next up, BMTH collaborated with Doncaster’s Yungblud with forceful track ‘Obey’, starting off the band's venture of ferocious collaborations on this EP. Pulsating metal mixed with vibrating synths and leaving a demand to question authority, roaring ‘another day, another systematic nightmare’. They also had help from BABYMETAL with killer track ‘Itch For The Cure’ which then feeds into ‘Kingslayer’, unlike anything they'd released before. Even though ‘Itch For The Cure’ acts like an interlude, the immaculate transition sews the tracks together perfectly while listening to the EP in order. The futuristic vibes conjured in ‘Kingslayer’ are genius, the collaborations on this EP are ridiculous - and so naturally ‘BMTH’.

Nova Twins revive Nu-metal with ‘1x1’, but still provide the distinctive BMTH feel. Beautiful ballad ‘One Day The Only Butterflies Will Be Left In Your Chest As You March To Your Death’ is carried by Evanescene’s Amy Lee’s hauntingly angelic vocals. Different to the rest of the EP, eerie sounds giving the feel of a hymn and contrasting the heaviness of the release. Bring Me The Horizon have always been ahead of time with their last few releases and ‘Post Human: Survival Horror’ is absolutely no exception. Bands like them have to evolve so their music doesn’t get monotonous and allows others to experiment, shaping the music scene into what it is today.