“Don’t want to facе it, I want it to break.“
Modern metalcore has come under scrutiny in recent years, with recent records from Architects and Void of Vision proving more than lackluster. As revival acts like Balmora and Foreign Hands assert themselves, it raises the question: where does modern metalcore truly stand. Unlikely considered a flag bearer of the genre, Landmvrks now introduce their third full-length, The Darkest Place I’ve Ever Been—a release that might be the final breath in the lungs of a dying genre.
The title track opens emphatically, with the stylings of Guilt Trip and an emotional energy that calls back to the early 2010s, setting an inescapable momentum. Unfortunately, that energy is quickly undercut by the dire rapping that opens “Creature” and resurfaces again on “Sombre 16”. While not as offensively bad as what was found on the abysmal Paleface Swiss record, the awkward attempt to integrate rap into these tracks feels misjudged, hopefully a trend nearing its end. Landmvrks do flex their metalcore chops early on, with “A Line in the Dust” and “Blood Red”, although the lyrical content does see it offering the genre’s trademark despair.
There’s a strong vocal performance throughout, full of range and heart. On tracks like “Sulfur” and “Deep Inferni”, Salfati showcases impressive breadth, from full-throated screams to grizzled, emotive outbursts. These vocals carry much of the album, sparing The Darkest Place I’ve Ever Been from falling into complete metalcore obscurity. Tracks like “Requiem” are elevated by this delivery, offering moments that fans may still latch onto.
Still, too many moments on The Darkest Place I’ve Ever Been dive headfirst into the generic modern metalcore sound. If you enjoy “A Line in the Dust”, it’s worth noting that Guilt Trip does this style better. On the more melancholic stretches, bands like Spiritbox come to mind—offering a more refined and captivating take.
There’s a strong vocal performance throughout, full of range and heart. On tracks like “Sulfur” and “Deep Inferni”, Salfati showcases impressive breadth—from full-throated screams to grizzled, emotive outbursts. These vocals carry much of the album, sparing The Darkest Place I’ve Ever Been from falling into complete metalcore obscurity. Tracks like “Requiem” are elevated by this delivery, offering moments that fans may still latch onto.
Still, too many moments on The Darkest Place I’ve Ever Been dive headfirst into the generic modern metalcore sound. If you enjoy “A Line in the Dust”, it’s worth noting that Guilt Trip does this style better. On the more melancholic stretches, bands like Spiritbox come to mind—offering a more refined and captivating take.
While The Darkest Place I’ve Ever Been is a solid entry in the current wave of modern metalcore, it’s also one that feels lost in the shuffle. There’s plenty here to enjoy, yet little that feels new or distinct, resulting in a record that fails to truly cut through in an already oversaturated genre.
4/10
The Darkest Place I’ve Ever Been is out 25th April, 2025, via Arising Empire.