25 years in the music industry, Superheist have gone through this process experiencing changes for one reason or another but have come out unmistakably as themselves on display with their 6th full-length album, “MMXX”. Black Mountain Music takes care of the release.
The current line-up consists of DW Norton (guitar, lead vocals), Simon Durrant (bass, unclean vocals), Keir Gotcher (rhythm guitar), and John Sankey (drums). All of them live far apart from one another making a quick jam nigh on impossible. The album was created entirely with them being in different parts of the world. Ideas were traded electronically and mastered as such. This is an impressive display of commitment as the process was undoubtedly slow and tricky.
As for the current state of 2020, the album cover reflects the general feel of this. A gas mask segments the wearer away from the destruction that is going on in front of their eyes. It was created by a friend of the band and touring guitarist, Richard Da Silva who takes on guitar duties when Keir can’t make it. The statement is simple is simple and powerful, and if you remember what kind of the year 2020 was then it sums up the isolation and destruction of that year.
If you are going to open an album then best to do it with beating drums and brash guitars. They ticked that box. “Last chance to leave” takes us hurtling into the album with this fast-paced starting track that breaks almost right into the catchy chorus. A great display of what Norton is trying to achieve who recently took over the vocals having had to teach himself how to sing.
“Medicated” saunters on afterward with its repetitive light electric acoustic sound. It works quite well in combo with what sounds like programmed drums before the guitars kick in in their dropped-down fury. I heard they used some 8 string guitars on the album so there will be some strong crunch pushing it into metalcore territory.
In the third track, we hear the power of the dual vocals with the Durrant roar mixed in with the passionate clean Norton vocals. The focus of the band lies in creating tracks that have a nu-metal vibe but they embrace a number of styles. Hip hop, progressive rock, metalcore, and industrial edges all show up. “Destination Unknown” and “A History of Violence” embrace these styles. In the latter, we start hearing some piano notes being laid down to add some complexity and pizzazz.
“Mayhem” carries some powerful notes that provide comforting and classic movement in the song. We get a mild inkling of a guitar solo here.
Sirens blare on the opening of “The Great Divide” tying in with the album cover and giving a sense of urgency, a sense that is then emphasized by the ripping guitars that kick in.
Up to this point, the songs had a somewhat similar structure and pattern with similar style melodies and brutal guitars. When we get to “The Crow” and “Every Waking Moment” we get to a new area in the Superheist cave we might be exploring and find some other hidden pockets within. The former gives us some more spacey ethereal tones mixed with simple yet powerful riffs and hip-hop-style vocal melody. The latter slows things down somewhat to deliver a song you might sing to the sky while standing on top of a hill at night.
“Live for this” has come out rather tame and has a generic radio pop sound to it before being rallied by “No Surrender” which is more unique and funky with its deep bass groove and the chirpy overlayed sound they have used which sounds like a cricket playing the spoons.
The last two tracks on the album then finish off with the smooth rolling energy that the band carries with their catchy vocal melodies surrounded by powerful instruments.
“Disintegration” seems to this quite well.
Rumour has it they had to cull a lot of songs to make this album which means they have a lot more to present. Perhaps we might expect another album in the near future. In the meantime, this is an album that will appeal and keep to your stereos occupied.
Tracklist
- Last chance to leave
- Medicated
- Destination Unknown
- A History of Violence
- Mayhem
- The Great Divide
- The Crow
- Every Waking Moment
- Live For This
- No Surrender
- Disintegration
- Oblivion
Superheist: Facebook
Release Year: 2022
Label: Black Mountain Music
Category: Album
Country: Australia
Reviewed by Byron Lotz
