“Will this forever be my curse?”
A peculiar amalgamation of genres which has been seeing a steady uptick in popularity over the last few years, cybergrind is steadily becoming one of the alternative scene’s most promising niches. With artists like Bejalvin making waves alongside acts such as Marshmello and SvddenDeath, it feels like only a matter of time before the genre breaks into the mainstream. When that day comes, there’s no doubt that genre frontrunner Blind Equation will be at the forefront, serving as a gateway into the vast array of sounds the scene has to offer.
A long-awaited follow-up to 2023’s sleeper hit Death Awaits, A Funeral In Purgatory is the culmination of all the lessons learned during the project’s evolution, and it shows. Drawing from extensive touring experience, including a notable run through Australasia with Your Arms Are My Cocoon, A Funeral In Purgatory displays a distinct sense of growth and direction. It expands upon the elements fans have come to love while staying true to the band’s core ethos.
Delivering exactly what was promised, there’s a clear leap forward in both execution and ambition. Take, for example, the vocals: James McHenry dramatically expands his range to deliver a plethora of new vocal styles previously unheard in the Blind Equation discography. With McHenry citing early Slipknot and Korn as inspirations during the writing process, the change makes perfect sense, and elevates the project’s sound entirely. Instrumentally, the tone is heavier, subtly stepping away from its nintendocore roots and working in elements of old-school nu-metal and modern revivalist metalcore instead. Yet, that signature nintendocore charm remains intact. “This Eternal Curse” exemplifies this balance, acting as a bridge that introduces the project’s newer influences while retaining echoes of Death Awaits.
Quickly followed by the album’s debut single “Nothing,” the true sound of the record is fully realised. McHenry pours himself into the emotionally charged track, exploring feelings of identity loss and self-alienation. The track resonated instantly with fans, and thanks to the new sound, its emotional weight hits even harder. “It Feels Like The End” and “Relinquished Dreams” both tread similar territory, conceptually and sonically, offering a deeply introspective take on self-doubt whilst taking slightly different approaches. Of the two, “It Feels Like The End” stands out, featuring a stellar guest verse from the ever-impressive JOHNNASCUS. His pitch-corrected vocals float effortlessly over a catchy, synth-led beat, contrasting with McHenry’s soul-wrenching screeches. The juxtaposition only enhances the emotional payoff.
Midway through the album, a three-track run, “A Funeral,” “+‧+ ̊ ཐི⋆✟⋆ཋྀ ̊+‧+”, and “…in purgatory”, forms the thematic and emotional centrepiece. It’s noteworthy not only for encompassing the album’s title, but also for its structure. This trio is essentially a single emotional arc split across three movements. Each part is solid in its own right, but the decision to separate them raises questions. The seamless transitions between “A Funeral” and “…in purgatory” beg the question: why not combine them into one longform piece? Still, the quality of each part, particularly the instrumental centrepiece, makes this a minor gripe. Lyrically, these tracks explore the loss of a loved one taken too soon, and McHenry’s grief bleeds through every second. This vulnerability ties in beautifully with the album’s overarching themes, and placing such emotionally potent material as the title track(s) highlights their significance.
Of course, that signature Blind Equation sound hasn’t gone anywhere, and “Flashback” featuring the legendary Strawberry Hospital reinforces that. A whirlwind of breakcore, synthesizers, and blistering drums, the track bursts with energy, a welcome jolt following the heavy emotional weight of the title sequence. McHenry returns to his signature screamed vocals here, which contrast strikingly with Strawberry Hospital’s melodic delivery. Their verse is particularly memorable, culminating in McHenry repeatedly screaming “I want to feel alive”, a cathartic peak that’s sure to become a live favourite.
“Mourn” and “Still” are largely instrumental, each with distinct intent. “Mourn” is slow and crushing, eventually building into a harrowing vocal finale exploring grief, whereas “Still” feels like a warped funeral march, delicate and unsettling, and leaving the listener to sit with everything they’ve heard thus far.
Closer “Incomplete” is a six-minute behemoth which reflects on the album’s narrative arc. McHenry carefully crafts an ebb and flow of sound, allowing the instrumental swells and lyrical delivery to intertwine naturally. Every element of the album, vocal diversity, sonic experimentation, and narrative depth, is distilled here, yet nothing feels forced or out of place. The track concludes on a rare note of hope, with McHenry screaming “I won’t let the darkness consume me,” before a soft synth passage fades into silence. It’s a fitting end to a harrowing journey, and one that many listeners will deeply resonate with.
With A Funeral In Purgatory, Blind Equation has crafted what will likely be remembered as the project’s magnum opus, a feat many thought unreachable after the success of Death Awaits. The passion poured into this record is undeniable, yet it avoids the clichés that often plague emotionally heavy material. McHenry has once again proven himself a musical force of nature, and Blind Equation more than just a band, it’s a labour of love, both for its creator and its fans. While it may not convert every cybergrind skeptic, A Funeral In Purgatory is a significant step forward for the genre, taking a fresh approach, and making the genre more accessible than ever.
9/10
A Funeral In Purgatory releases July 18th via Prosthetic Records and is available to pre-order on Bandcamp.