The hottest new band of the year is gearing up to release their debut album, and it is sure to be a contender for one of the best releases of the year. Hailing from Germany and comprised of members from several different bands to form an almost metalcore/post-hardcore supergroup, Alleviate is here to take the music scene by storm. Effortlessly combining elements from different genres such as djent, deathcore, metalcore, and post-hardcore, Alleviate has a sound that sets them apart from the rest. Within 5 years of forming, the band has already amassed over 70,000 monthly listeners on Spotify with over two million plays across their releases, and the band is on the track of success. Alleviate is gearing up to release their debut album, DMNS, on the 23rd of August via Arising Empire. I was lucky enough to get a sneak peak at the album, and all I can say is: Holy Shit.
The album from start to finish sounds like a giant breakdown full of some of the best playing and singing I think I've ever heard before. Between the beautiful balance of the dual vocals of Timo's singing and Marius's screams, each song sounds like a duet from a play or metal opera. Nothing seems forced and everything just sounds so polished! The guitar playing from Ramon & Marc is just as beautiful as the dual vocals. From heavy as fuck breakdowns and riffs to tantalizing chord work, I keep finding myself with my jaw on the ground. A band is nothing without a powerhouse drummer and that is absolutely evident with Yunus behind the kit. This is a person who obviously has a passion for drumming and music.
Trying to pick a favorite track off this album is going to be next to impossible. Could it be the title track, "DMNS", with the nonstop breakdown and a chorus made for arenas accompanied by a terror inducing demonic laugh? Maybe "Trying to Survive" with one of the best lyrics that tugs at your heart strings. You know for a fact that hearing "Anxiety, my constant friend. Always will be there 'til the very end" will leave you with chills going down your spine when you hear it live. Perhaps it will be "Broken" as it leaves you wanting to mosh in the middle of a grocery store while screaming the lyrics at the top of your lungs. No. No. Definitely "Forevermore" because it has that classic deathcore sound, right? You know, the kind of sound that makes you feel like you're back in a parking lot at 10 in the morning on a Wednesday in a circle pit fueled by a can of Monster and 2 chicken tenders. Or could your favorite track be "Gravity" with an absolutely crushing feature from none other than Nik Nocturnal? It just might be because the track gives you everything you'd want in a track but still wanting more.
Let us not forget "Alive" with its anthem-like tones and sound that could make any metal fan jump off their feet and throw down to that breakdown (it is a tasty one). How about "Better" with that demonic guttural to start off the track and just a barrage of riffs that leave you moshing in your seat. Plus that chorus is impossible to not sing along to. Oh, okay! Obviously your favorite track is going to be "Die For Me" because it scratches that itch you've had ever since you received your first sampler CD at Warped Tour! Come on! You know this one is a certified banger that would played across every Hot Topic if this was 2014. Still haven't picked a favorite yet and torn on a decision? Well, how about "Within Worlds" and how it is easily one of the heaviest tracks on the record. You're lying to yourself if you don't believe without a shadow of a doubt that this track slaps! An obvious deathcore classic in the making! Maybe you're thinking, "okay, "My Demise" is going to be my favorite track" and you might just be right on that. It is the perfect way to end an album as it encompasses so many wonderful qualities of the different genres. This is that type of track to help you set that new PR at the gym.
No matter what you're thinking, there is one thing that is for sure: you need to listen to this album. You will not be disappointed with their absolute front to back banger of an album!
Track Listing:
- DMNS
- Trying to Survive
- Broken
- Forevermore
- Gravity (ft. Nik Nocturnal)
- Alive
- Better
- Die for Me
- Within Worlds
- My Demise
Photos Courtesy of Atom Splitter PR/ Arising Empire | Photo Credit: Kathie Sterl
