“Defending our consumption, underneath a deadened sky.”
When Conquer Divide made their debut back in 2015 on their self-tilted full-length, there was a certain intrigue around the group. Tracks such as “Nightmares“, “Eyes Wide Shut” and “What’s Left Inside” displayed an impassioned, rough-around-the-edges sound, alongside some strong vocal performance from now lead vocalist, Kiarely Taylor. Until 2020 it was radio silence from the quartet, before seeing them return on “Chemicals” and a full leaning into alternative/hard rock influences. Hit and miss singles raised questions over whether Conquer Divide could build up some consistency, and on Slow Burn it seems they have began to found their footing in their new era.
The record’s title does feel somewhat a of a self-descriptor as it does feel it takes it time for Slow Burn to hit its high points, especially in its early stages. Opener “Atonement” divulges in lyricism akin to Bring Me The Horizon‘s “True Friends“, and bar the pre-breakdown bark of “How does it feel to be a filthy fucking rat?“, lacks any real thrust that the track is looking to convey. Third track “Paralyzed” is where the makings of Conquer Divide‘s new sound start to show its makings, with their hug, layered choruses where Taylor shows off their vocal highs.
Heavier cuts come on “welcome2paradise” and “system_failure“, and the return of Janel Duarte’s harsh vocals. The trading between the two gives a sprinkle of variety, yet there is a sense they could be more effectively used. Either layered in atmospherically or going full throttle, as opposed to the half-way house they seem to live in here, even if they are given a extended verse on “Afterthought.wav“. On “welcome2paradise“, some of the groove work by drummer Samantha Landa is noteworthy, giving a beefiness to the verses.
As mentioned, it does take it times to get there, and there are some of the previously unmentioned cuts such as “N E W H E A V E N“, “Over It.” and “playing w/fire” that can make Slow Burn at times a slog to get through. There’s little on these, and other tracks, that differentiate Conquer Divide‘s sound from their counterparts. Yet once Slow Burn does get to its closing stretch, there is some of pay-off as Conquer Divide roll out their stronger material.
“The Invisible” starts this off, lyrically it might be slightly on the nose with lines “On the outside we march on, in a world where we don’t belong“. The additions of strings gives is that emotional theatrics, akin to what some 00s emo acts such as Flyleaf did, that just about makes it work. “Wide Awake” neatly bridges the gap between songs, with some nice vocal melodies, and keeping the pace from going too full-throttle.
Penultimate track, “OnlyGirl“, is the track listeners will see themselves returning to. And while this comparison might raise an eyebrow or two, the huge hook on the chorus, has the same effect as Bad Omens “Just Pretend“. Lyrics such as “I miss the way we felt alive, and I’d do anything, cause we moved at the speed of light, before you took everything“, yearn to be sang. It does have that cheese to it, but it’s one that will be belted in the shower or at live setting, and sometimes that’s all is needed.
Closing Slow Burn comes “gAtEkEePer” and is where Conquer Divide feel most impassioned, and confront the topic of their issues within the music industry. It has that spite that opener “Atonement” lacked, another big leading choruses is what listeners will gravitate towards here, “We’re in the fight of our life, we came from the bottom, there’s no keeping us down”. The screams in the bridge do come across as skewered in, the record still does close on a relatively strong point despite this.
From where Conquer Divide were upon their return in 2020, Slow Burn has seen them improve on their shift in sound and lay down clear markers of where they want to take it. There are standout moments on tracks such as “OnlyGirl” and “Paralyzed“, there are cuts across Slow Burn which feel too inbetween or lack distinction to make this feel like the complete record that Conquer Divide could eventually pull off.
5/10
Slow Burn is out September 8th via Mascot Records, and can be pre-ordered here.