With their heavy yet melodic metalcore, Scream Blue Murder came hard into the scene in 2016 with Hollow Stories. The successful debut took the Coventry, England natives on a wild ride through the US touring with Cancer Bats and Of Mice & Men. Nearly three years later, the band continues to hone the British metalcore scene with Rock Bottom (Stay Sick Recordings.)
The sophomore album comes heavy with vigor. It’s gritty with an acute balance of high intensity comes in with the opener ‘Unbreakable.’ And it’s that intensity and atmospheric balance that works effectively with the first half of the album. They manage to focus on acute song structures in the midst of all the chaos their metalcore forefront. What also helps them is the memorable choruses heard on tracks like ‘Inside.’
The title-track transitions seamlessly with its low breakdowns but hit their melodic high with ‘Bury Me.’ This is the track where the guitar riffs from Jack Roddy are so smoothly and effortlessly that sound like they belong on the track.
By the time the second half of the record kicks in with ‘The Void,’ there is a decrease in tempo but something happens with vocalist Aaron Bloomer that is for the better. The changing vocals between aggressive growls and clean melodies showcase his potential.
Bloomer comes in grittier with his keen, almost demonic growls. Bloomer comes in grittier with his keen, almost demonic growls on ‘The Anchor’ and ‘Sounds like Judas.’ That added texture and the band steer a bit away from melodic to just hard-hitting hardcore. The last five songs on the record are darker with hefty guitar riffs and chuggy bass lines. They bring back their melodic roots in ‘Victims Of Violence.’ This last track demonstrates the band’s musicianship and how they can attach different sonic elements of metalcore and create their own recipe without being repeat offenders.
Scream Blue Murder have hit a high with Rock Bottom. There is no slump on this sophomore record. It is enjoyable and never dull. The only thing this band needs is to hit the road and transcend that energy on stage.
8 / 10
CYNTHIA JO