“Together we are spinning, alive.”
Invent Animate have always occupied a strange niche in the metalcore scene in that they are nearly universally praised as royalty in the underground, particularly amongst those who like the djent-y and progressive side of the genre, but have been seemingly confined to this box since their inception. Their fanbase has undoubtedly grown with the release of each album, even in spite of the setbacks which could have occurred following the departure of original vocalist Ben English in 2017 and 2-year hiatus in the aftermath, but the group have still remained restricted to the “core” (no pun intended) fans of the genre. However, if there is any time in which the Texas-based quartet is going to break out of this shell, it would be now, and it is clear that these are their exact intentions with Heavener. Not only does the group now have the support of one of the more prominent labels in metalcore in UNFD, but the album feels like the monster they have been working towards their entire 12-year career.
Many praised the group’s 2021 EP The Sun Sleeps, As If It Never Was as the perfect culmination of their sounds and hoped it would be an indication of what would follow; in hindsight, this hope was an underestimate of what the group is actually capable of, as Heavener is even a sufficient step-up from its already stunning 3-track predecessor. Everything Invent Animate have done up to this point is showcased across the 11-track duration with an increased level of precision and confidence while still leaving room to build on their well-established sound. The technical prowess is equally impressive and tasteful, the signature ambient textures are lush and beautiful, the songwriting is unpredictable yet digestible and varied, and most importantly, the emotion is absolutely unhinged. One could argue that these are all statements that can be made about their first 3 records, and I would be inclined to agree; therefore, when comparing Heavener to its predecessors I would add the word “extra” to every single utterance of praise or superlative that could be applied. Seriously, this album is absolutely magnificent.
Anyone who has heard Invent Animate’s prior material will not be surprised with the technical prowess displayed throughout Heavener, as this has been a primary draw for much of their fan base since the beginning, particularly regarding the guitarwork of Keaton Goldwire and drumming of Trey Celaya. Whether it be the blazing riffs and driving drums comprising the verses of “Labyrinthine” or the signature tapping and harmonic-led guitarwork throughout late-album rager “Void Surfacing”, there is no shortage of hyper-technical instrumentation sure to please even the nerdiest of guitarists and drummers. But what places Invent above other bands of this variety is their ability to write technical sections that do not feel wank-y, and instead add to the urgent, frantic nature of the songs. Additionally, these technical clinics are always balanced by simplicity to prevent the songs from feeling overwhelming, demonstrated in the merciless chugs of “Immolation Of Night” and the open choruses of “Elysium”. This balance lends greatly to the overall purpose of the album, especially when bringing the ambience and atmosphere into the equation.
Much like technical prowess, fans of Invent will often cite the group’s ability to create such gorgeous soundscapes created by the ambient textures as a massive draw. As a result, it is always safe to go into a new release expecting to be impressed by the atmosphere; so how well does Heavener deliver on this front? Well, to put it bluntly, simply saying they deliver would be an understatement because they have officially outdone themselves and everyone else in the scene. The atmosphere on every single song throughout every single section is absolutely stunning. At this point, comparing the atmospheric capability of Invent to other metalcore bands is unfair because they are unmatched. There is an almost soundtrack-esque quality to their synthwork that gives so much weight to every corner of their sound which other groups would simply leave empty.
Tracks such as “Without A Whisper”, “Reverie”, and “Emberglow” especially are absolutely brilliant in this regard, able to elicit so much emotion out of the listener just based on atmosphere alone. Then comes the sombre guitar passages that are often drenched in reverb and effects which linger throughout the quieter of moments in tracks such as lead single “Shade Astray” and the especially breathtaking “Purity Weeps”. So much care was put into what would usually only be seen as small nuances, and it pays off to an outrageous degree. This is also a good point to give praise to the production side of the album; Landon Tewers (The Plot In You) and the band members deserve infinite respect for how natural everything sounds, as does the mixing and mastering of Dan Braunstein for finding the perfect balance between the impact and the ethereal. Even the bass sounds fantastically beefy and prominent, particularly in the heavier moments, rightfully giving Caleb Sherraden the spotlight that bassists often deserve but don’t receive.
When there is as much happening at every single second as on Heavener it is easy for positives to get lost in translation. Music this dense walks a fine line between being extra memorable or becoming forgettable as a result of trying to do too much. Luckily, but also unsurprisingly, Invent is able to avoid this through always keeping the listener on their toes but also pulling them back with more accessible moments. Tracks such as “False Meridian” and “Absence Persistent” are undeniably complicated songs which can be a bit staggering on first listen, but they boast moments of clarity in the form of crushing breakdown sections and massive choruses. The breakdown in the former particularly gives Trey Celaya moments to shine not through technical ability, but pounding kickwork that lends a beautifully unnecessary level of chaos in the best way possible. The choruses are also worth devoting individual attention to, and this can apply to every chorus on the album, because relative newcomer Marcus Vik deserves every single ounce of praise that can possibly be given to him. In addition to the previously mentioned tracks, cuts such as “Without A Whisper” and “Elysium” sport soaring and catchy hooks that demonstrate a massive improvement from the already great choruses of Greyview and make great use of the influence of Landon Tewers.
There is additionally a great level of variety amongst the general tracklist that keeps the album from feeling old on full listens, an aspect that is perfectly demonstrated on the mid-album trio of “False Meridian”, “Reverie”, and “Immolation of Night”. All 3 of these tracks are almost completely different in terms of style and even execution but flow into each other to a degree so seamless that it’s impossible not to acknowledge the genius of the songwriting. This variety at times sees the band exploring territories previously uncharted, particularly in the case of the lofi-esque and gentle “Reverie”, which once again shows Marcus Vik fully coming into his own. The vocal melodies and deliveries on this track are genuinely gorgeous, demonstrating just how far a bit of restraint can go. “Emberglow” also deserves a nod for honestly subverting expectations; the track has a drive which would often feel aggressive or angry, but the track itself does not feel aggressive in any way. Instead it is one of the more grand and elegant tracks, particularly on the vocal front. As a result, it is a definite highlight even amongst a tracklist that has no lulls.
Finally we arrive at what I believe to be the greatest asset of Heavener: the unapologetic and unrestrained raw emotion that is seeping out of every moment of the record. All of the previously mentioned positives are only pieces of the puzzle that build the vehicle that is Invent Animate for the band members to express the deepest parts of their mental health. Listening to the record is an experience which is greatly defined by the way in which the listener is absorbed into the hearts of Invent Animate. Goldwire, Vik, Celaya, and Sherraden expose the most vulnerable parts of themselves, and the result is simply an undeniable level of catharsis. While topically confronting feelings of grief, anxiety, depression, and relationship struggles, there is ultimately a feeling of peace and hope that the album expresses. On past albums, Invent have vastly focused on sadness in a manner which is cold and hopeless. They did this incredibly well of-course, but on Heavener the emotions are driven by notions of acceptance, reflection, and resilience. As a result, the album has the remarkable ability to make listeners feel comfort in that they are not alone in their struggles, but remember that life is only what we make of it. This emotional maturity and vulnerability is ultimately what creates the magic of this band and shows perfectly why they are special.
Heavener is the album that Invent Animate have always had in them and have always been working towards. Every element that has defined their sound thus far is cranked to eleven. Most importantly, there is a level of heart in this album that truly is special. It is not a particularly easy album to listen to, nor is it one which is extremely digestible; however, it is one which rewards the listener in areas that far exceed simply being a great metalcore album. Not a single emotion feels superficial; not a single moment feels unnecessary; not a single idea lacks confidence. Every small nuance found across the album contributes to a beast that is bound to be a defining moment for not just Invent Animate’s career but possibly metalcore as a whole. Without redefining the boundaries of the genre, Heavener elevates itself above the rest by pushing its strengths to new levels and making the listener simply feel. If there is any time for them to break out of the box which they have been confined to for much of their career, it’s now.
10/10
Heavener will release next Friday, March 17th, via UNFD, and you can pre-order it here.