“Drawn in day after day as the years crumble away.“
While not wishing to define them by it, a lineup comprised of former members of Dead Swans, Bring Me The Horizon, and Brutality Will Prevail has a certain hallmark to it. Three beloved acts that, over the decades, have no doubt barked the words back into either the Underworld or New Cross Inn. Now emerging as Still In Love, with two strong EPs under their belts in the Withdrawal Symptoms series, there was a sense that the Brighton unit were building towards something bolder. This has come to fruition on their debut full-length, Recovery Language, which asserts Still In Love as one of the finest acts in the UK underground scene.
There is an intensity and intent to Recovery Language from the outset, and a gnashing aura to the record from the moment “Tell The Truth” rips the record open. One that grabs you by the scruff of the neck from the opening yell of “Undiagnosed, self-medicated, paralysed, riddled with self-hatred“, and one with a story to tell, as “your trauma will find you” is barked out with anguish. The likes of “Nervous Impulse” and “Inherit” are absolute barnstormers of tracks, with the old thrashing of the 2000s metalcore sound that was defined by Dead Swans and Architects on their early records. The raw anger and emotion that’s showcased presents metalcore at its finest, with no sublimation added in. As a blunt and exposed instrument for many to channel their own emotions through, it feels materialised for commercialism.
There is an early gem in “Preserve“, which takes a more melodic route with its riffs and harmonies. It is a track that feels like an ever-lost art in metalcore. It has the nature of the wind blowing through the hair and hands, with a building tempo that closes with a cathartic release of emotion, and one that ultimately feels true to itself. It is an art that returns, with that aching core to it, which “Preserve” shows, and the likes of Long Goodbye are beginning to master, too.
These heartfelt cuts continue in “The State Of Things To Come“, which addresses the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Here, Worthington‘s vocals moved from anguish to pain. As the yell of “How can they justify these cycles of death?“, cuts through the record, much like the Fit For An Autopsy call of “The bodies burned so bright, that God closed his eyes”. It is from here onwards that Recovery Language fully delves into its melodic side. With “You Have To Let It Go” delivering the first full cleans from Andrew Fisher, this track feels like it can burst out of its skin as Worthington yells, “I’m stronger than all of this”.
The full release of tension that had been bubbling throughout Recovery Language erupts in “Pillar Of Strength“. Alongside this, there is a grief-stricken nature to the record, as Worthington yells out, “Don’t give me hope, I don’t want to face another day, with what happens to the best of us“. It’s an impactful closer that takes a moment to sit with, even after Recovery Language has finished. As the closer ends, and Still In Love do it in one of the most heartfelt manners, it reminds you of the crux and emotion of the record.
It goes without saying that the back catalogue of those involved with Still In Love gives a tremendous sense of respect and goodwill. They include fabled acts that many of us grew up listening to and have defined our tastes and embrace to this day. Still In Love feel like a pertinent reminder of how good we had it then, and as there seems to be a shift back to the metalcore of that day, Still In Love are the ideal flag bearers for that. The rawness, emotion, and intensity here are a reminder of what the genre was, and now once again what it can be.
8/10
Recovery Language is out September 5th via Church Road Records, and can be pre-ordered here.