This album solidifies that fans should always expect the unexpected.
Nü metal began to make a resurgence in the early 2010’s when American acts such as Volumes hit the scene and brought back the industrial hip-hop styled metal.
At that point in time very few would have predicted this resurgence would make its way to Australia, let alone go on to spearhead our metal scene.
With acts like Alpha Wolf, Ocean Grove and Dregg already leading the charge for the new-nü metal sound worldwide; albums such as a quiet place to die will only further cement why the Australian metal sound is so far ahead of the curve.
Being the second release with Lochie Keogh involved as vocalist and first as a lyricist, his abrasive hardcore style is truly the perfect match for Alpha Wolfs huge chugg riffs. It’s not as if Lochie does high’s, instead he pushes his larynx to 11 giving an unmatched personality to his vocals.
Starting with a breakdown can be a risky decision. At times it can work perfectly, capturing the listener instantly, whilst at other times it can risk being the most notable part of the song which ultimately is then over in 20 seconds. ‘Creep’ is the former. It’s huge opening only continues to intertwine between bouncy riffs and eerie sound effects that give off PTSD to the days of dial up internet before culminating to an epic conclusion.
‘Acid Romance’ maintains the bounce in a much slower fashion with it’s consistent changes in tempo and incorporation of silences being akin to ‘Rot In Pieces’ has one of the best breakdowns of the year.
Stripping back for the enchanting for a collaboration with label mate Lizi Blanco, of ‘The Beautiful Monument,’ ‘Bleed 4 U’ is enigmatic and highlights sensibilities and future directions of the band listeners would have never dreamed of; kind of like when BMTH first dropped ‘Crucify Me.’
Not only does ‘a quiet place to die’ flaunt new, experimental and exciting landscapes that Alpha Wolf are delving into; it solidifies that fans should always expect the unexpected.
4.5/5
