“Cut my head off to see the misery within.“
There has a been a groundswell of ‘modern metalcore‘ out of Germany and France in recent years, mostly associated with the label Arising Empire. The very latest comes from Stuttgart unit Defocus who, with their hard-hitting sound, look to push themselves to the forefront of what is now coming a busy space for many bands both in Europe, the UK and America.
As opener “let the bond be my grave” begins, the wave of electronics of and chugging riffs hit against the ear. Unfortunately, its over-compression makes for an immediately uncomfortable listen. While this does ease on later moments, there is a narrowness to the mix that is an ‘assault’ in an unfavourable way. Following tracks “biased” and “watch me bleed” struggle less with this, due to their more post-hardcore style, yet the over-production on there is a place for me on earth‘s heavier moments will likely make many drop out early on.
The is a certain energy present that does carry the record, yet “consumed by you” does continue to carry and cement the aforementioned problems. Everything is overly snappy and percussive, which is useful for creating effective impact, but feels incredibly overused. The heavier moments come thick and fast, especially with a bigger breakdown with gratuitous, over-the-top whammy from at least two pedals; it is near-tinnitus inducing.
A burst of double drop A# on “crooked mind” rumbles the track awake, providing a more melodic moment, but once again the mix precludes soundscaping due to the over-compression. There is an almost ‘clipping‘ as the softer vocals hit the low-tuned guitars in the later stages of the record. An dip into trap moments on “don’t let it hurt me” serves nothing more than to make the listening experience more obtuse listen.
As “… to not feel anything” enters it becomes evident there is a place for me on earth will not escape its wider issues of mix and production, mainly on the transient being overly snappy percussive, while useful for creating something that impact and will work in isolation on singles. Across a record with 30 minutes run-time it’s somehow fatigue inducing. “flatlines” dives once again in the more melodic moments, a bit more successfully, which perhaps adds to the disappointment on what has been delivered. There is likely something decent here, just let down by everything other than Defocus‘ songwriting ability.
It does feel like an attempt to sound professional and polished has damaged what could have been a solid record. It doesn’t feel good to dismiss a record due to its production issues, and it is of course subjective, but I just couldn’t get past them. A need for balance in the mix can be the only real takeaway from there is a place for me on earth, and a slight hope that Defocus might not tread the same ground next time.
3/10
there is a place for me on earth is out March 1st via Arising Empire.