Comrades is a post-hardcore/rock band from Colorado. They started as a post-hardcore band in Virginia in 2008. Comrades is influenced by bands as; Beloved, As Cities Burn, Thrice Red Sparrows and many more. Their first long-player “Safekeeper” came out on Blood & Ink records. They are now signed to Facedown records where they released their sophomore album “Lone/Grey”. This album was recorded at Glow in the Dark studios where My Epic, Underoath and The Chariot also have recorded some albums. The cover artwork was done by Dave Quiggle.
What to say about this album, am I going to give a song by song description? Well, no. This is typically an album that isn’t fit for such a review. “Why not?” I can almost hear you think. The answer is; just because I would say the same things over and over again. Beautiful, complex, original compositions.
The raw energy where the album begins with grabs your immediate attention and it stays with you for the rest of this album.
Comrades is no stereotype hardcore band. First of all this is a three-person band, the drummer is also the screamer and the clean vocals are done by a woman. If this doesn’t raise your curiosity I don’t know what will….
The whole album consists of intricate compositions and fascinating alternations. ‘In The Whisper, In The Gale’ is the first song of this album and it is immediately clear that we are dealing with a world-class band. This song shows what they are capable of; melodic hardcore with mellow moments.
This album is so fresh among all the other heavy stuff that I listen to that it really stands out. Yes it is heavy/hardcore but it breaths a tranquillity that I have seldom heard on an album. You must have understand already that I am highly impressed by Comrades by now.
One of the first songs that was released off this album is ‘Dark Tongues pt. II’. This was also the first video that was released to promote Lone/Grey.
The raw screams of Ben Trussell are interspersed with the beautiful clean vocals of Laura McElroy who also plays the bass-guitar. The sound of the bass is good to hear in the mix, I especially like the fuzzy sound. I feel that the overall mix is very well-done. You can hear this the best with a good headphone.
If you listen to a song like ‘Shepherd’s Hymn’ for example, you can clearly hear the Indie-Rock influences.
How to describe the voice of Laura? I think that angelic covers it…. And it is that contrast with the screams of Ben that makes it so interesting. Ben doesn’t only scream however, his clean vocals are also pure gold as you can hear in ‘Underground Queen’.
The last song on the album ‘That We May One Day Be The Same’ is a worthy closure that is the cherry on top of the cake. Again all the aforementioned elements and bombastic. while at the end of the song it ends with some serene sounds.
Conclusion: For me; one of the best albums of 2016 until now! This one will definitely be in my top three this year. So do yourself a favor and buy this album, you will not regret it.
Rating: 9.5/10
Written by: René Woning
Track list:
01. In The Whisper, In the Gale
02. Farewell
03. Dark Tongues pt. II
04. Empty Frame
05. Synchronous
06. Shepherd’s Hymn
07. Underground Queen
08. Brother(less)
09. Infinite Scale
10. That We May One Day Be The Same
Band Members:
Ben Trussell – drums/vocals
Laura McElroy – bass/vocals
Joseph McElroy – guitar
Discography:
“Safekeeper” (2014)
“Lone/Grey” (2016)
Record label: Facedown Records, October 2016
Weblinks: Website / Twitter / Facebook / Reverbnation
Buy the album here:
Holland: First Paradox
Norway: Nordic Mission
Video for ‘Dark Tongues pt. II’
Video below: ‘Underground Queen’