Having formed in Buffalo, New York only two years ago in the midst of the pandemic, metalcore quartet Until I Wake have rapidly managed to create a name for themselves in a style that some are beginning to consider outdated. Disregarding that entirely, the band signed to the prestigious Fearless Records and made their debut album Inside My Head, putting the sound that they genuinely love ahead of following new trends.
In just under a minute, menacing introduction ‘The Sacrifice’ tells a whole story with nothing but a wicked devilish voice and tormented background cries. A sonically graphic characterization of one’s inner demons taking over the mind, this opener will either absorb all your attention, or scare you away. It then jumps right into the ferocious screams of ‘Forsaken’ without missing a single beat, throwing it back a decade for some classic 2010s metalcore.
Dynamic single ‘Fake’ left a strong and nostalgic impression as the first song of theirs I heard. The contrasting energy between the grooving verse and the storming chorus lured me in with the screamed moments captivating me further. The varying levels of heaviness throughout the track encapsulate the anger and grief felt from deception in a relationship, with vocalist Cody Johnson throwing down every end of both his singing and screaming range.
And the versatility in vocals doesn’t end there – the rapped verses of ‘Reasons’ keep things fresh for the ears without shying away from the overarching hard rock the band pours their souls into. While it’s always a risk when an alternative artist slips elements like this into a song, this was not a gratuitous decision in their case. The style flows seamlessly with the massive chorus because the emotion delivered through each part remains consistent, showing how evolution through the genres has allowed them to break boundaries. The short but sweet guitar solo at the track’s climax is just the cherry on top.
The record’s second half shakes things up more with the soft piano ballad ‘Undeserving’ that explodes into a dramatic ending. Immediately following that we have ‘Blue Beam’, the heaviest song on the album by a long shot, placed where we would least expect it. It has a haywire energy fueled by dissonance, chugging, and strategically layered screams – plus a sinister whisper towards the end to bring back the theatrical horror touch from the first track. This gimmick returns one last time for raucous closer ‘Marching Forward’, starting and finishing the song with lo-fi choir voices.
If you grew up listening to metalcore, this album will remind you of everything you loved about the genre. From the huge melodic choruses that quickly transform into grueling breakdowns, to the subtle synth touches and samples that add that trademark texture, Until I Wake are using every beloved aspect of the genre to build their quickly growing fanbase.
Buy the album here: https://found.ee/insidemyhead
8 / 10
COLLEEN KANOWSKY