“Fleeting bliss will precede your fall from grace.“
Nashville might not be the first city you think of for its metalcore prowess, but Chamber is staunchly set on single-handedly trying to change that perception. Already renowned for their aggressive, frenetic blend of metalcore and hardcore, they have arguably already done more than most bands in terms of making a mark on their city. With that said, they are not done yet, with their newest album, this is goodbye…, looking to boldly take them to heights they have not yet reached.
From the very start of this is goodbye…, Chamber makes one thing clear – this is not the band you are used to. Expanding their soundscape more than ever on this release, Chamber finds themselves teetering on the edge between hardcore-tinged metalcore and going full-blown mathcore. The entirety of this is goodbye… is tinged with chaotic, glitchy guitars, building a sense of urgency and mania for the duration. “vanity” is a prime example of this new approach, blending the sound we have come to know and love the band for, with this newfound confidence in experimentation and zany guitars.
The introduction of more mathy elements is not all that is new, though, with Chamber also embracing clean vocals on a handful of tracks. The album’s debut single, “violins“, was an introduction to this, giving fans a taste of what was to come. Something which received universal praise among their fan base, this refreshing twist on their sound is something which they restrain well, only utilising clean vocals on a handful of occasions, bolstering their impact tenfold. “scarlet ink” is another example. Utilising clean vocals sparingly, they contrast with the harsh, bellowing screams, making both sides all the more impactful.
Then there is the storytelling woven throughout the release. Narrated from the perspective of a single main character, this is goodbye… is a harrowing tale of mental torment, anger, and anguish, with our narrator fighting through mental torment, trying to decide whether they end their own life or somebody else’s. There is a lot to unpack throughout the album, and we will not delve into all of it here, but we would be remiss not to call out some fantastic examples of this storytelling in action. “pale blue (why?)” is a prime example of the band weaving storytelling through lyrics, but also the instrumentation. Taking the opportunity to slow things down considerably and rein in the chaos, this track acts as a turning point of sorts at the midpoint of the album, marking a tonal shift that continues through the remainder of the album. “vanity“, on the other hand, is the polar opposite of this, embracing the chaos and showcasing the inner torment of the narrator. It is moments like these that showcase Chamber‘s newfound storytelling capabilities, allowing it to stand above its peers.
Despite its length, sitting just under thirty minutes in runtime, this is goodbye… packs an almighty punch. Where A Love To Kill For showed off the band’s lyrical prowess, this is goodbye… combines that with the instrumental creativity to back it up, allowing it to step out of the shadows of the many metalcore titans into a realm which few bands dwell within. Storytelling through heavy music is not easy, and despite the attempts many bands make, it typically falls short of becoming anything more than a lyrical tale. Chamber has avoided this pitfall, and they have made it look effortless, all the while embracing new facets of their sound and opening themselves up to an entirely new fan base without alienating their existing core audience. this is goodbye… is a prime example of what is possible when an artist truly cares about the story they are telling. It does not shoehorn in a plot line for the sake of it, but instead is focused around it as a pillar of its sound.
8.5/10
this is goodbye… releases on the 27th of March via Pure Noise Records and is available to pre-order here.