When Stick To Your Guns are firing on all cylinders, it really is top-notch melodic-tinged Hardcore. And their latest full-length is a shining example.

Keep Planting Flowers sees the Californians debuting on the sturdy SharpTone Records. The production is snug and larger than life and is complemented nicely by an overall sound that breeds a thumping, adrenaline-fueled orgy.

From the get-go, “We All Die Anyway” is a solid textbook STYG album opener. The outfit has jam-packed this record with sultry melodies and aggressive heft all at once. In other words, perfectly stank riffing abounds.

At times, the guitar chugs play maestro to a capacity crowd of ravenous lunatics. Keep Planting Flowers possesses an attraction that is like a moth to a flame, fruit flies to vinegar. 

The title track is a captivating, Metalcore-style ballad that provides a bit of balance without jeopardizing the complete bombast of the long-player. “Permanent Dark” is certified spin-kick fuel.

The siren-esque wailing intro tones to “Spineless” progress into an Industrial-sounding, brash number that boasts harsh and clean vocals working in tandem. Its punchy energy is a delectable appetizer for the Michelin-star main course to come.

With all of these elements considered, it’s worth noting that Keep Planting Flowers is very much intended to be a positive take on the negatives life consistently produces. And that’s pretty easy to detect once the album moves forward and the excitement builds.

Stick To Your Guns are eight full-lengths into a frankly exhilarating career. And with them starting the new year on a new label, it’s safe to assume there are only greater things to come from this five-piece.

And I am fucking here for it.

Buy the album here:
https://bfan.link/keep-planting-flowers

9 / 10
MATT COOK
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