Hailing from Birmingham, UK Nu-Metal outfit Nameless show a whole world of imagination with their new album Shapeshifter (Self-Released). On this record, the band takes on a progressive genre-bending sound with ambitious track lengths. Drawing from influences from the likes of Deftones and Sleep Token, they combine facets of Metal and Shoegaze in such a way that keeps even the longest songs interesting.
The album opens with the cinematic strings of “Tempest,” which is the only track under seven minutes. It then immediately jumps into the vicious screams and thick riffage of “Worth Of Man.” While most of the track lengths are justified, this one lacks the dynamic variation of the others, making the whopping eleven minutes drag on for a while.
Fortunately, things begin to turn around by the title track. Comprising mainly clean vocals along with a bit of rap, Nameless start to show their versatility with this one. Although there are some rough edges, the potential between the varied vocal styles and instrumentals is unquestionable once the visionary “Rosaline” kicks in. Gloomy chorus-drenched guitar lines erupt into thunderous metal riffs as rhythmic rap turns into soaring melodies. Halfway through the twelve-minute journey, a menacing breakdown comes in to slowly build into a whiplash-inducing riff amidst brutal screams. The final few minutes blend the heavy and clean vocals in a sea of atmospheric soundscapes and storming textures, leaving your ears hungry for more.
“Pacify And Reason” continues the madness, jerking you back and forth on a sonic roller coaster. A simple yet passionate guitar solo captures the song’s emotional essence beautifully, just before pulling you back headfirst into a downpour of layered screams, guitar chugs and pinch harmonics.
“Finger On The Pulse” keeps the heaviness going for eight and a half minutes straight without losing its purpose, emphasizing the breakdowns with everything from pick squeaks to bell rings. “Crystalise” then closes the record with the softer, more ambient end of the Nameless virtuosic spectrum. Tranquil arpeggios explode into post-rock epicness, topped off with full-hearted vocals, a melodious solo, and a twinkling piano outro.
Nameless have a clear vision in front of them, and while they are still discovering how to best execute it, Shapeshifter shows a lot of promise for them. If they continue growing and experimenting, there’s no telling how massive they could sound within a few years.
Buy the album here:
https://linktr.ee/NamelessUk
7 / 10
COLLEEN KANOWSKY
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