“Freedom is not yours to take.”
Some critics might argue that for an artist to maintain relevance, they must bring something entirely new to the table. I would politely disagree, as I believe Bury Tomorrow to be masters of consistency within their respective genre. Hailing from Southampton, brothers Davyd and Daniel Winter-Bates and accompanying personnel have been rapidly ascending the metalcore ladder since the early 2010s. Purveyors of critically acclaimed records such as 2014’s Runes and Earthbound in 2016, the British act has produced a rumbling success that has been felt worldwide, landing them positions at well-established festivals such as Resurrection Fest and Wacken Open Air. While not necessarily pushing anything outside of the metalcore agenda, Bury Tomorrow is a band that shows improvement with each consecutive release; while each LP may not completely distinguish itself from its predecessor, it almost certainly reinforces its strengths, and now, a decade and a half into their musical journey, the response speaks for itself. The consistency has paid off, and Bury Tomorrow have earned a mutual respect between fans and critics alike.
Three years have passed since the band’s last full-length offering, Cannibal, and now we have a seventh LP, aptly titled The Seventh Sun, to dive head-first into. From the get-go, no in-depth analysis is needed to realize Bury Tomorrow are back with a newfound fire and fury, as titular opener “Seventh Sun” is a potent blend of the best elements dug up from metalcore’s tangled roots. Intense double-kick patterns, sweeping melodies, and a catchy chorus await the listener, and while these aspects may not come as a surprise to seasoned fans, they won’t go unappreciated. Lead single “Abandon Us” keeps the train on the tracks, before the band leans more into the emotional side of things with their most recent single, “Begin Again”, which displays a more solemn tone in contrast with the aggression of the former. The newly-recruited Tom Prendergast is in the spotlight here, amplifying the track with an array of clean vocals, ranging from ballad-like to an arena rock outcry, atop a strong, professional melodic metalcore palette that’s sure to get the listener’s emotions flowing.
The initial impressions made by these first couple of tracks slowly diminish as we’re introduced to “Forced Divide” and “Boltcutter”. While these songs may stand tall as singles or in a playlist, I can’t help but feel underwhelmed by their placement within The Seventh Sun. Bearing a close resemblance to the album’s first two offerings, The Seventh Sun, by its midway point, feels as if it’s starting to drag, and it becomes clear the band’s tried-and-true formula can only take them so far. The metalcore experts have proven that reinventing the wheel is not necessary for success; I just wish the opening phases of the record had a little more substance to keep things from blending together. Being an eleven track affair, however, it is much too soon to write things off, as persistent listeners will be greatly rewarded by the LP’s sonically rich and diverse second half.
It is worth reiterating that Bury Tomorrow are a veteran act, and all veterans in the music industry have a comfort zone. While The Seventh Sun’s first half adheres to Bury Tomorrow’s comforts and provides a safe space for them to work in, the latter half serves as a breakaway. This is made readily apparent with “Wrath”, which is easily my favorite cut on this record. This sixth track not only encompasses the strongest aspects of the band’s sound, but reinforces them with some new and interesting ideas, such as a violin outro accompanied by Prendergast’s ever-impressive voice. The guitar work on display here is also a highlight, containing the most fun and addicting riffage reigning lead guitarist Kristan Dawson has ever put to paper during his most productive time with the band. Like “Begin Again”, “Wrath” sees the sextet utilize their melodic chops to craft a powerful and emotionally driven piece that transcends the fundamentals of the subgenre they find themselves in.
“Majesty” follows up on this success with a welcome continuation of the somber tone presented at the end of “Wrath”. The violins make a return, and Prendergast once again proves himself to be a worthy addition to Bury Tomorrow’s talented roster. However, this intermittent track is ultimately a calm before the storm, so to speak, as “Heretic” is a raging ball of fire that’s sure to heat things up in a live setting. With a surprising vocal feature from While She Sleeps’ Loz Taylor and an infectiously catchy chorus that’s just begging to be sang along to, “Heretic” is a late album highlight that will most certainly end up on future setlists in case you manage to catch Bury Tomorrow at a gig.
The final three tracks represent Bury Tomorrow at their most vulnerable. It would seem 2022 and 2023 are a dramatic duo for emotional metalcore, as The Seventh Sun, alongside recent full-length releases from acts such as Counterparts and Invent Animate, is keen on sending the listener off with a heart-wrenching finale. “The Carcass King” in particular serves as a phenomenal closing track, with Daniel Winter-Bates kicking things off with a powerful vocal delivery backed by a mellow guitar passage that makes for a teary-eyed experience right out of the gate. And yet, despite all the power and emotion radiating from this track, the band’s signature aggression makes one final appearance in a final ultimate breakdown, where some of Winter-Bates’ most guttural screams take form.
Bury Tomorrow’s seventh LP, despite a few moments of weakness in its early-middle stage, is a thoughtful metalcore record that successfully represents the duality of melodic metalcore. The Seventh Sun recaptures everything that mid-to-late 2000s era metalcore was able to accomplish; from heartfelt vocal delivery accompanied by soaring guitars and symphony, to stomping groove metal anthems replete with vitriolic anger, the Southampton metallers pull no punches. Fans of old-fashioned metalcore that provides substance without the need for the modern prog flair that many bands have given into will hold a deep appreciation for The Seventh Sun, and it’s a record with an addictive quality that fans of the band will be returning to for some time.
8/10
The Seventh Sun is out this Friday via Music For Nations, and can be pre-ordered here.