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By GREG MAKI
I don’t mean this as a knock on Haste the Day’s former frontman, Jimmy Ryan, but Pressure the Hinges, the band’s third full-length album and first with new vocalist Stephen Keech, is by far their best offering to date. Keech’s hardcore-style growl is less distinctive than Ryan’s hissing voice, but it’s much more musical and versatile and a natural fit for a band that has largely moved away from hardcore to more of a classic metal/hard rock sound. They still throw in an occasional breakdown, but just as often they rock out on a heavy groove or guitar solo (as heard on “The Oracle). The riffing of guitarists Jason Barnes and Brennan Chaulk has power that was missing on the band’s previous efforts and Barnes asserts himself more as a talented lead player. Chaulk, along with bassist Michael Murphy, also makes his mark as a singer. The duo belts out hooks that are as catchy as anything on their last album, When Everything Falls, but the melodies are less sugary, less poppy.
In every phase—songwriting, performance, production—Pressure the Hinges is a huge leap forward for Haste the Day. It’s a meaty album full of powerful, infectious songs that separate them from the metalcore pack. Highly recommended.
Standout tracks: “The Oracle,” “Stitches,” “Chorus of Angels” |
