Many metalcore bands find themselves down a dead end after two or three albums and will try their hand at reaching for a more accessible sound, leading existing fans to become disillusioned. Fans of Silent Planet who have been around since The Night God Slept have never been dealt such a hand, as the band’s subtle and incremental introduction of new influences is done to astonishing effect.
Gentle pulses and ambient swells greet you at the door of this album, but once open it’s oblivion that awaits. You can hear the influence in the mix immediately from Buster Odeholm of Humanity’s Last Breath / Vildhjarta and it marries beautifully a sound that has shot to prominence in recent years with the signature Silent Planet palette. Daniel Braunstein’s production has given it a sheen and quality and shades of Spiritbox are felt throughout ‘Offworlder’ and it carries a sincerity and a Volumes-like seasoning of djent to groove and allow it to express itself to the fullest.
Garrett Russell’s confidence exudes throughout every word and the development in his singing is to be commended and celebrated. In all areas he adds new elements to his already formidable presence as his crushing lows play a more prominent role, cementing him as one of modern metalcore]s most dynamic frontmen.
The graceful simplicity with which ‘Antimatter’ flutters sets it apart as one of the highlights of the album, a piece of their process dealing with a traumatic van crash, of which the album is released on its first anniversary. The sparseness of Mitchell Stark’s riff leaves ominous synths to fill the void making it poignant and all the more pulverising when Garrett howls “we are broken bodies built for each other’.
“Their subtle and incremental introduction of new influences is done to astonishing effect”
It stays instrumentally captivating throughout; sometimes, modern metal albums can drown out the nuance of the band in search of devastating heaviness and Alex Camarena doesn’t suffer. A widely underrated presence in modern metal, his drumming continues to remain dynamic and flow effortlessly. ‘Signal’ and ‘Annunaki’ bring a feral and urgent intensity that give Camarena free rein to exhibit his exceptional ability and Stark to contribute with stellar screaming.
The album’s ebb and flow is harmonious and satisfying, ‘The Overgrowth’ lulls us down to earth with distorted spoken word only to shatter the ground beneath our feet with one of Garrett’s most ferocious passages. Tasteful call backs in ‘Nexus’ with lyrics from Everything Was Sound will elicit a smile from long time fans. The lyrics were always going to be nothing but profound and insightful, proving the band’s own perspective and story is as intriguing as the historical references that bookended their early work.
Superbloom shows the band’s ascent into the potential suggested in earlier albums. Everything is here to be propelled into the stratosphere and it deserves nothing less. A Superbloom may only be a temporary phenomenon but with this album Silent Planet prove they are an eternal fixture in metalcore’s top tier.