“If every day there’s more, then why am I so insecure?”
It is quite undeniable that the progressive metalcore subgenre has stormed to the forefront of the scene in recent years, led by major players such as Invent Animate, ERRA, Northlane. With its prevalence, it would be entirely fair to feel fatigued towards the sound. Amidst the saturation, however, Cliffside emerges with an accessible and authentic take on the subgenre.
The Vancouver and Kelowna trio consists of lead vocalist Taylor Thomas, bassist Ben Davis, and guitarist/vocalist Joel Issler. Their style is undoubtedly influenced heavily by ERRA, with their propensity for intricate, low-string riffs with melodic interjections. Following up on their 2019 EP, Wilderness, Cliffside now present their debut full-length, Deeper Water.
Cliffside started this cycle with “Forever”, which immediately displaying a marked improvement on their previous material. With a significantly clearer mix and tighter, more refined songwriting, the single signalled a new-and-improved Cliffside. They quickly followed this up with “cult”, “Endless Wells”, and my personal favourite single, “Tides of Time”, all of which served to show that “Forever” was not a flash in the pan but merely the start of a new era for a truly capable lineup. Brimming with atmosphere and tasteful riffs, the highlight of “Tides of Time” is its soaring chorus. Taylor Thomas puts forward an emotional performance, utilizing a wide range of intensities to express the themes of uncertainty present in the song.
Album opener “Horizon” leans on the heavier side, with melodic tapping leads appearing only on the chorus. Issler gets a chance to flex with a solo towards the end of the track, tying in enough melody to keep the track balanced. The album’s heavier moments generally pack a punch, especially the breakdown on “Good Grief” with its groovy syncopated bend rhythm making it particularly infectious.
Relatable struggles are touched upon with care and honesty throughout the album; the line “Born for more, destined to suffer for, another empty high,” on “Wasted” encapsulates the experience of addiction, presented with the band’s usual technical precision. “Fatherless”, as its name suggests, discusses the experience of a father leaving the family. A track that is undeniably deeply personal, it takes on a more melancholic tone, with fitting ambience enveloping the track. Declaring that “All I know that is that the cycle stops with me,” Thomas injects a hint of optimism for the future.
Another personal standout is the heavily ERRA-influenced “The Distance”, with Issler tapping into Jesse Cash‘s style on the likes of their self-titled album and Drift. In its riffs, breakdowns, and even solo, there is a lot that is reminiscent, and, with ERRA being my favourite band, this track was a highlight. It could perhaps be criticised for being too close to its inspiration, but is a truly stellar homage to the sound.
My favourite track and one of the most complete on the record, “Glacial” left a lasting impression, with a host of impressive lead lines ushering you in and elements of the guitarwork reminding me of Polyphia. The track’s soaring chorus displays the band’s knack for catchy hooks, and the aforementioned lead work is present throughout the song, providing a splendid backdrop that allows the emotion of the track to be carried.
Opting to end on a melancholic note, closer “Haunted” takes its stride with a key that invokes feelings of longing, fitting for its subject matter of letting go of unhealthy methods of dealing with pain. The chorus provides a different flavour than most on the record, sounding more reminiscent of a post-hardcore hook that adds additional further depth and variety to the album. The track ends in a fulfilling manner, with the character finding closure.
With its impressive technical precision and variety in songwriting choices, it cannot be denied that Deeper Water still falls within the many tropes of its subgenre. The band’s influences, as mentioned, are strongly present all throughout the record, and whether that is a positive or a negative is up to the individual. The lyrics, though honest and direct, give into some level of cliché at points, with many water-based metaphors used (albeit much less egregiously than many other bands). These issues are minor gripes, as the finished product is still much more than enjoyable.
Deeper Water is an offering that is on par with many albums offered by Cliffside’s bigger contemporaries, both technically and sonically, and is a body of work that the band should certainly be proud of. With further refinement that I’m sure will come from more experience, Cliffside can conquer new heights, hopefully rising high above the waves.
8/10
Deeper Water is set for independent release on the 4th of August. Pre-save the album here.