“Pain is your beauty enveloped in doom.”
The trajectory of Cane Hill’s sound has taken a significant pivot in the last few years. The New Orleans outfit released their debut EP in 2015, leaning heavily into a nu-metal influenced sound that they stuck with for many of their subsequent releases. With their Krewe series of EPs, the band’s sound saw a shift towards a more modern metalcore sound that showcased a side of the band previously unseen. Six years after their last studio album, Cane Hill continue to refine this new direction with their long awaited third album, a piece of me i never let you find.
One of the first few singles, “The Midnight Sun”, was an impressive display of the band’s range. A beefy, slide-ridden opening riff brings an explosive start. Dropping out into a stripped back hook, the second chorus sees the intensity meet middle ground, opening up into a full-bodied ambience. Vocalist Elijah Witt not only brings his signature manic screams, but a pleasant surprise in his ethereal clean vocals. The track has one of the most massive choruses Cane Hill has ever done, balancing this out with its colossal breakdowns. Working with producer Jonathan Dolese (156/Silence, HourHouse, Advents), the album’s mix has that satisfying punch that lends to its impact massively.
This expansion of their melodic side, previously explored on Krewe D’Amour, is extremely well executed, and it shines on the record. “I Always Knew That We Were Doomed” starts the track off on a more subdued note, giving the spotlight to a floaty ambience as it slowly builds, drummer Devin Clark coming into the mix. The track opens up fully going into its second chorus, leaning into dark pop influences to push its melancholic appeal. Taking an unusual approach for the band, the track utilises mostly clean vocals, which works in favour with its contrastingly crushing breakdown. “Fade” follows along in a smilar fashion, with the synth-driven opening verse building suspense before switching gears to an explosive riff, courtesy of guitarist Elijah James Barnett. Witt’s vocals are an undeniable highlight, smoothly cruising from gentle falsettos in the chorus to intense, powerful belting with ease.
The band’s heavier edge is far from lost, mixing in the nu-metal aggression of their prior releases into this new style to great effect. “Ecstasy In Grief” charges in full force with a chaotic barrage of hefty riffs. Balancing the album’s mostly melancholic direction with the band’s classic heaviness, the song’s place in the tracklist breaks up the flow enough to keep things interesting. Mid album heavy hitter “Eye to Eye (Iris) matches this energy, with Barnett laying down a set of filthy bends on the breakdown. Clark’s flurries of fills throughout the track attest to his precision and dynamic range. Cane Hill’s choice to restrain the aggression to more standout moments throughout the album works in their favour, making for a much more varied approach.
On the other extreme end of the spectrum, “How Could You Lose?” is a synth pop-styled track, bringing to mind some of Bad Omens’ songs on THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND. The band are no stranger to more stripped back offerings, previously demonstrated on the Kill The Sun EP. Bringing back a similar vibe provides an intriguing new dynamic to the mix. Complete with a delectable solo from Barnett, the track is one that stands out in its own way.
The lyrical content pushes into personal territory with a much more refined approach. Although the band have always written quite honestly, the direction they often took in the past was more edgy and angsty. With a piece of me i never let you find., there is a layer of nuance to the songwriting as it broaches topics of existentialism and loss with a more somber approach. ”Permanence In Sleep” takes a rather vulnerable slant, delving into the experience of dissociation and its bleak confusion.
Although the album technically ends on a reprise of “Fade”, preceding track “Finding Euphoria” feels like the true conclusion to the album. Swinging back with a more vigorous bite, it pushes the intensity satisfyingly, especially on the verses. Exploding into a soundscapes of heavy ambience throughout the song, the track has the makings of a closer with its cinematic nature. It finds its crescendo towards the end of the track, with an atmospheric passage layered with a solo from Barnett.
Breaking away from what is established while maintaining a consistent identity is a tough balancing act that few bands ever nail. a piece of me i never let you find. is a laudable example of Cane Hill’s ability to integrate new elements into their sound effectively. The record takes a more accessible approach overall while keeping it unique and engaging, a feat often miscalculated and poorly executed. Even though it’s on the shorter side, the album is more than substantial and ultimately a rather fulfilling experience. The band’s technical skill is readily displayed throughout, with special mention to Witt’s impressive show of technique as he takes on much more clean vocals than before. In its entirety, a piece of me i never let you find. is some of Cane Hill’s tightest work to date, and the album leaves me nothing but excited for what’s to come next from the quartet.
9/10
a piece of me i never let you find. release son the 1st of November via Out of Line Music. Pre-order and merch links for the album/EP can be found here.