The debut EP of Swedish melodic metal band We Are To Blame is a surge and confluence of a myriad of styles, influences, and genres into one loud sonic exploration. The record sits at just six tracks long, but each of which feels like a whirlwind in and of itself. There’s so much happening, aggressive death metal to melodic sounds to occasional incorporations of electronic symphonic sections that are elevated by a vocal performance that draws from contemporary pop stylistic tendencies. It’s undeniably heavy, powerful, and exuberant from back to front.
From the opening notes of ‘Breathe’, the sheer force of the entire arrangement comes crashing down onto you with such visceral force and fullness in the sound that you’re entirely immersed within this gothic metal ensemble. The vocals are a force that guides the entire record, meticulously controlled and melodically exquisite through and through. You don’t feel for a moment that it’s out of place, perfectly synthesising a more generally appealing pop driven performance with what’s an undeniably heavy and bellowing metal arrangement across the record.
Each song has a similar power and energy to them, but constantly innovating with the riffs and scale on the choruses. For someone who typically finds metal records a tad bit harder to enjoy and get into, this was a seamless listen. Anyone who’s a fan of melodic driven metal is bound to find heaps to enjoy on this album while songs like ‘Falling Down’ still give you what you’re looking for in that aggressive death metal space as well.