We’re in a renaissance of metallic hardcore the likes of which this old dinosaur hasn’t seen in two decades. The difference between the original rise of metalcore and now is how wisely this new crop is leveraging a wealth of diverse influences. Instead of just your thrash-y, your melodeath-y, your chaotic, and your beatdown heavy subtypes, we’re getting bands throwing everything in there and somehow sounding better than the kitchen sink. The advent of the djent-y sound has unveiled horrors for those who can count but struggle with the formation of a fully functioning song; however, those that can marry that polyrhythmic approach with other very necessary skills can make for exceptional promise. Take Wiltwither, the latest progressive metalcore group to emerge and one with a clear advantage: not only do they know their way around writing, they make coherent, interesting concept records. With a sound that excels in the unexpected, Pure Light is a delight.
“The band has always supported my idea of conceptual works for the lyrics, and we used the plot points and story to help shape some of the sound,” vocalist Nick Rendelman shares. “The only rule for us was that we keep it heavy, but how we get there has to be different from last time. We wanted to challenge ourselves above all else. We went into this record with as little metal influence on our brains as possible and pushed each other to draw inspiration from pretty much any other source. I wanted to talk about the human condition, the shared universal experience. People today have become so absorbed in their own singular perspectives, and I wanted to step outside that bubble and emulate the good, bad, and ugly of life. This is a story of human connection, how beautiful it can be, and how it’s exploited in today’s modern age.”
Pure Night is out now and you can listen to it here. Follow Wiltwither on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for future updates.
Photo courtesy of Wiltwither
