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It Lies Within are a 5 piece metalcore outfit from Flint, MI, USA. Thus far, the band have released only one album “Chrysalis”. I did think this was a bit odd when I was doing my research, but it turns out this band had a lucky break at the very beginning and managed to fill slots for larger national bands while playing at their hometown venue The Machine Shop, ILW, which has gained them a mass following from very early on, enabling them to jump right into the studio and fire out their first album, becoming a full-time touring band since. It Lies Within are set to release their second studio album “Paramount”, featuring guest vocalists, Telle Smith (The Word Alive), Ryan Kirby (Fit For A King), and Jonny Mcnee (The Browning). It is expected to drop on the 8th of January 2016.
Giving “Paramount” a few spins, it triggered some inspirations from the word go. For example, Asking Alexandria (especially their first album ‘Stand Up And Scream!’), Motionless In White, We Came As Romans, and The Devil Wears Prada. Why? From the heavy sound, combined with catchy cleans with the heavy duty growls, along with pulling guitar riffs and symphonic melodies. Overall, brutally catchy!
The first track is “Open Your Eyes (Intro)”. I don’t know about you, but I love a good introduction. It’s like a wait for it… waittt forrr itty… before the wave of melodical greatness crashes down . There’s an instrumental sound to begin with all aspects of each member totally flourished to their potential then BOOM!… the heavy duty vocals appear. Very positive lyrics to kick off the album. There’s nothing wrong with spreading the positivity card!
“Ecdysis” perfectly ties in with the intro, continuing with the heaviness and the positivity. Overall, great sounding track. It’s also the band’s second single from the album, released with a video.
“Starscream” is probably one of my favourites off this album. It instantly drew me in with the catchy synth lead, but when every instrument kicked in with the synths it made me feel like I could lose myself seeing it live. The chorus is extremely catchy. I had some hardcore feels from this track through the unclean verses.
“You Won’t Bury Me” is one of the heaviest tracks on this album. Heavy vocals, heavy guitars, heavy bass, heavy drums… Heavy, heavy, heavy everything, but still with the essence of symphonic leads and a chorus hook.
With “Never Surrender”, I really liked the use of highs and lows in the vocal pattern. It’s a fresh sound, a different approach. The use of the vocal techniques highlighted the lyrical content. It’s great when you hear a bit of vocal variation, and It Lies Within nail it!
My favourite track is “Reap What You Sow”. It Lies Within released this track for their second single along with a brutal video for it (above). I loved the orchestral intro. I loved the electric additions into the vocals on the chorus. I love how heavy this track is.
“GET OUT MY WAY I’M GOING IN THE PIT!”.
Positivity throughout the lyrics, musically uplifting, but still holding its edgy sound, that’s “Light The Way”. It still keeps a heavy aspect in this more mellowed out track, though. Half way through, a killer breakdown is set free with some extremely high screams. Brilliant mix up!
“Depths Of Struggle” is extremely uplifting – Very motivational! I WILL achieve my dreams!
“Broken Streets” is the most chilled out track of the whole album. Synths and catchy vocals drag you into it, a nice change of pace. It’s never a bad thing to slow it down for a moment or two, whilst “Trust In Yourself” quickly steps up the pace again. This track is quick, aggressive, and heavy. Setting up the final moments to lose yourself before the end…
…finishing off the album with a motivational, uplifting one, “Till We Meet Again”. This track takes a bit of everything that’s gone before. It has a real variety to it. The perfect track to end the album with.
So, to take a moment to reflect back on the album as a whole, It Lies Within have created a collection of songs that belong together. ‘Paramount’ is distinctive, catchy, heavy and positive, all in one. It Lies Within are wanting to make their mark in the industry, a positive mark.
I recommend ‘Paramount’ to any metal core fans. Give it a spin!
Follow It Lies Within on Facebook
Pre-order Paramount
Review: Carol Black
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