Resolve – Between Me And The Machine
Release Date: 26th November 2021
Label: Arising Empire
Pre-Order/Pre-Save
Genre: Post-Hardcore, Metalcore.
FFO: Landmvrks, While She Sleeps, Bring Me The Horizon.
Review By: Calvin Ryan
After starting their career in 2016 and releasing a three song EP in 2017 called Reverie, Resolve have been under my radar until the outburst of the French Metalcore scene in late 2018 with the release of fellow French outfit Landmvrks’ debut album, Fantasy. Ever since, that French scene has been on fire, pumping out new bands. One of which happens to be Resolve.
Between Me And the Machine is an album that is both emotionally rich and a story within itself, as opening track Beautiful Hell is a hell of an introduction to the band and what they’re about to incite into your ears. The intertwining synth and heaviness of the band is beautifully done, and the vocals of Anthony Diliberto rip through the music with his powerful larynx shredding screams. And his cleans are as equally powerful. The band themselves are immense, as the slow start of Seasick Sailor shows they have a Pop Punk side before hitting it heavy again. The most surprising thing about the band is that there are only three members, which isn’t really seen in Metalcore bands. Bassist Robin Mariat, along with drummer, and brother, Nathan Mariat are sublime on their own instruments.
Sing Me To Sleep & D.G.G.R.S are the two sides of the coin that Resolve bring to us on this album. Sing Me To Sleep still has the sound that the band have been bashing us with, but it’s toned down as they opt for a slower, more melodic song. Whereas D.G.G.R.S hit as heavy as Mecha Godzilla’s balls and blows you away with the vocal performance of Diliberto.
Emerald Skies & With Love are easily the best songs on the album. Emerald Skies has the perfect chorus and is as catchy as clap, while With Love is perfectly slow and sombre with a louder approach near the end. Cycles then changes directions and blasts back to make sure you aren’t sleeping with pitch harmonics galore.
The last few songs are equally good but are missing a certain something, although I’m not sure what. But put that thought as assumption aside, and you’ve got a classic album from the French Revolution of modern day Metalcore and a debut album that’ll catapult them to the forefront of the scene.
(3.5 / 5)
