CoNtrivedNiHilism

Okay, well now...let's jump right in then, shall we?

There's not many people that don't know this band. They're a metalcore goliath from the UK and arguably the biggest from their part of the world. When they first hit the scene back in 2005 - 2006, I didn't pay much attention to the band, at the time I wasn't all that interested in too many metalcore bands because their sound to me sounded like a bunch of pubescent teens banging on their instruments and if it sounded cool, they rolled with it because they knew it'd get eaten up by disturbed teens that felt that they didn't fit in and wanted something to relate to. That being said however. I took note of Bring Me The Horizon even then because what I did hear was potential for something that the band at the time of their EP release This Is What The Edge Of Your Seat Was Made For, was not aware of or capable of realizing in album format. That's where we get to their new album, That's The Spirit.

2013 saw the release of their fifth album titled Sempiternal. Personally I really enjoyed that album and saw the band showing a lot of growth and maturity musically in all the right areas, it was an album that also left me excited for their next album because I heard a band that was beginning to see where they needed to head sound wise; something massive, something that would be a statement for the band, something that no band in their genre has so far done...

Released: 2015
Genre: Rock/Pop/Electronic/Flavorings of Metalcore
Position in Discography: Sixth Album
Band Line Up: Oliver Sykes, Matthew Nicholls, Matt Kean, Lee Malia, Jordan Fish

I'll start by saying that even though the bands previous album Sempiternal gave hints as to what direction the band may take when they put out their next offering, That's The Spirit had some surprises in store for me as a fairly new fan, as I began listening to the band late 2011 seriously.

Doomed

Track 1. The album opens with the sounds of exasperated breaths, electronics. Shortly in, Oli Sykes begins with a silken croon stating "Cut off my wings, come lock me up, just pull the plug yeah, I've had enough..." as if to say that the person being described wants to die, or even a cry for help because they want to live. The verse carries on with an electronic/synth drenched sound before opening up to a huge chorus, heavy but melodic and focused. The following verse is a more hurried pacing, almost like it is meant to give you a frantic feeling, because the person described is frantic. Overall a strong opening track and a great look at what's to come. I even enjoyed the Pop flavoring!

Happy Song

Track 2 and also the first taste of the new album the band offered up to their fans. The track starts with an almost cheer leader choir vocal, before opening up to a heavy assault by the band. A straight up radio rocker and sure to be a crowd favorite. The song itself to me did not have a lot going on and is also not one of my favorites from the album, that's of course not to say that the song is bad, because it is actually good, only the formula it follows can get a bit predictable. Don't let that deter you from giving the record a shot!

Throne

Track 3! Linkin Park must have really made an impression on Oli Sykes and the gang, as this third track from That's The Spirit sounds like it's a nod to Linkin Park, but I'd say Bring Me The Horizon pull it off well. The song like the two before it, is saturated with electronics but is a rapid fire assault of aggression and precision by the band. The verses are structured well, they're catchy, and the bleak tone the album set from the beginning still looms overhead, it's a good thing! The chorus I'd say is where the song shines. Big chorus is big! The bridge was particularly interesting, also had me dig at my ears though but not in a bad way. Great track!

True Friends

This fourth track was one that at first did not initially grab my attention. I decided that I wouldn't make up my mind about it until I heard it with the entire record because I felt that it'd make more sense that way and I'd understand the song better. That said however. The song did grow on me and I feel that it is fit for arena sing along's. If I had to describe how the song sounds. I'd say it's one of the most radio rock tracks from the record, save for Throne that is. Overall it's an enjoyable track, but a grower for sure.

Follow You

Good ol' number five. I put this song on repeat after my first listen, I liked it that much and it also was the first big surprise of the record, as it's the most Pop sounding song on the record but works so well in contrast with the record as a whole. The song has this almost hypnotizing sound to it, it's almost soothing to hear and layered well with electronics and some of Oli's best vocals I've ever heard from him. It's a very well executed and realized song, end of story. I didn't want it to end, hence the repeated listens! The song is not at all what long time fans would ever expect the band to do, but that's a big reason why I like it so much; unexpected but brilliantly done. Favorite track from the record for me.

What You Need

On to six then. If it isn't already clear enough by this point, Bring Me The Horizon were not shy about exploiting the love affair with Pop music. This song is no exception even if it is rather aggressive. The song is reminiscent of Throne as far as how it sounds, however I'd say it is the stronger track between the two and likely to be the more favored in a live setting as well. Fit for an arena and a contender to get an accompanied music video at some point. Another good track.

Avalanche

Seven, seven, oh seven. There's a wall of guitars and pummeling drums that greet you here. Oli shows his go to vocal delivery of silken cleans, but it's a powerful delivery and the emotion in his voice is a plus here. This track was another surprise for me, as I found it to be one that stood out from others tracks from the record, as was the case with Follow You as well. One good argue that Avalanche is similar in ways to the track directly before it, but I'd say that it isn't the case because where What You Need is more about getting your head nodding, Avalanche is meant to have the listener close their eyes and go on a journey of sounds. Cheesy sounding but trust me, it's a great song and you'll see what I mean.

Run

Eight. We're eight songs in and by this point I was still not even close to being bored, I was enjoying the ride I was being taken on and busy being impressed with how much this band has grown since 2005. Not even close to being the same band anymore, only a thousand times better. Run is another track that takes on heavy use of electronics and synth, but the sound this track delivers is one that is fully realized and expansive. There's nothing I'd change.

Drown

Number 9. Okay. So I know I said before that Happy Song was the first taste of That's The Spirit, but it was actually Drown, only the version heard is a slight bit different than what made the album's final mix. My own opinion is that the version on the album is the better of the two. The former was a bit less realized, also softer sounding too. This version however is edgier and the electronics are more noticeable. I'd say it's also one of the best on the album.

Blasphemy

Ten! "You got hell to pay!" Oli sings in an angry tone, as this song opens up with somewhat crunchy guitars, accompanied by what by now should be ever present to the listener, talking about the electronics here and on point playing by the band. I immediately connected with this song the second it came on, and the hook or lead you hear in the chorus is ear candy to me, f*cking catchy and works so damn well. This track is rock solid gold!

Oh No

The closing track. Number eleven. Closing tracks for a lot of people are expected to be strong tracks, or a track that ties everything together. The theme of this entire record was turning ones grief in to gold, or happiness if you well. So it only made sense to start in darker territory, and then eventually come out the other end in the lighter side of things. Oh No delivers here. While the track is also one that is heavy on the Pop side of things, it's also done its job at being a proper way to close a not entirely perfect record, but close enough to being exactly that. Perfect. Oh No reminded me of a lot of what I heard on the Chvrches record I was turned on to here, that very same Chvrches record has also gone on to being one of my most listened to of the year. Point is simply that when you're a metalcore band, it's only the best course of action to be open to taking risks and expanding your sound, growing as musicians and not becoming stuck in place. This track left a smile on my face, and I even gave a brief little applause to Bring Me The Horizon after the album concluded with Oh No. That sax in the song is sure to throw people for a loop too!

In closing. That's The Spirit while not without it's flaws, things like the formula briefly becoming a tad redundant at times, is a really solid album. For anyone that has been a fan since the start of their career, this album may be one you embrace, or it could equally be one where you write the band off, it's either one. However if the long time fan doesn't have a closed mind, then they could find themselves enjoying the strongest record of the bands career.

CN gives That's The Spirit a score of a 9.2/10!

Track list along with my favorite tracks in bold lettering...

Doomed
Happy Song
Throne
True Friends
Follow You
What You Need
Avalanche
Run
Drown
Blasphemy
Oh No

Thought I'd add a few of my favorites from the album for you all to check out.

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William_the_Bloody

Nice songs there stuff has been getting better over the years as they mature, though I always liked their first release.

I can't help but think there selling out though. Perhaps Ollie is going Axl, but is this the style of music they really want to make??? Sounds like their composing for teenage girls.

urquan

I'm to old for this :-)

Svitlana

I first heard this band on this album and my impression - they are very great musicians

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Aloysius

I must be missing something here. I really tried to give this album a go but it just sounded like One Direction with fuzzier guitars. I know a lot of people regard it highly so I'll try again and see.

The Identity Matrix

This was the first BMTH album I could listen to all the way through without taking a break. It definitely sounded like a much more mature album compared to their more metal-core albums. However, it lost its touch towards the end after a strong opening where all the songs feel like they blended in with each other. Not the most popular opinion out there right now considering the positive reviews I've seen this album get. It was overall ok. I would put it at a 6.5/10. But I do see the appeal for this album it just didn't hit home with me as much as I wanted it to.

CoNtrivedNiHilism

This made me laugh, unlike with the other guy who said it sounded like it was an album for girls, I rolled my eyes. Did the dude completely miss the point of the album? Easily the bands best work.

Same here, about it being the first BMTH album I listened to straight through. The one before it though wasn't bad either.

I can't say the album gets boring toward the end, or loses appeal. But I think I know why you say the songs begin to sound similar.

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The Identity Matrix

I won't use boring to describe the record, it just felt like there wasn't a lot of variety towards the end of the record where their was definitely a strong opening set of tracks.

zane2453

Pleasant surprise.

I have em all on my playlist, but the only ones I recognize/ will search for specifically are Doomed, Follow You, and Avalanche. Those three are GOAT