Artist: Bring Me the Horizon Album: Sempiternal

Year: 2013
Duration: 45:30

A Critical Review of the Album: Sempiternal by Bring Me the Horizon

Bring Me the Horizon, a British rock band formed in 2004, has made quite an impact on the music industry, especially in the genre of metalcore. Sempiternal, their fourth studio album released on April 1, 2013, was a major turning point for the band, which underwent a significant transformation in sound and style. The album gained widespread acclaim from fans and critics alike, and remains a standout in their discography. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at Sempiternal, examining the music genre of the album, the best songs of the album, the most innovative parts, and a critique of the album as a whole.

Genre of the Album:

Sempiternal is predominantly a metalcore album with elements of electronic and alternative rock. It features a mix of heavy guitar riffs, screamed and clean vocals, and electronic samples. The electronic elements, which were new to the band, add a unique flavor to the album, with some songs leaning more towards electronic rock (such as Can You Feel My Heart) while others still maintain a metalcore sound (such as Empire (Let Them Sing)). Overall, the blending of genres on this album created a sound that was innovative and refreshing.

Best Songs of the Album:

While the album as a whole is a great listen, there are a few standout tracks that really shine. Sleepwalking is a fan favorite, with a catchy chorus and emotional lyrics that hit hard. Antivist has an aggressive, punk rock-inspired sound and lyrics that are sure to have the listener pumped up. Shadow Moses opens up the album with high energy and fantastic guitar riffs. Drown, the bonus track of the album, has a slower tempo and focuses more on clean vocals, serving as a nice change of pace from the other tracks.

Most Innovative Parts:

As previously mentioned, the incorporation of electronic elements was a major innovation on this album. The heavy use of synths and samples in songs like Can You Feel My Heart and And The Snakes Start To Sing added a modern touch to the band's signature sound, and opened up the door for them to venture into new styles of music. Additionally, the use of choir-like backing vocals in certain songs (Empire (Let Them Sing)) created a grandiose atmosphere and added an extra layer of depth to the album.

Critique of the Album:

While Sempiternal was widely regarded as a success, there were still some criticisms of the album. Some longtime fans of the band found the change in sound to be too drastic, missing the heavier, more aggressive sound of their previous albums. Additionally, some felt that certain moments on the album felt overproduced, or that the electronic elements didn't always mesh well with the metalcore sound. However, these criticisms are subjective and do not detract from the overall quality of the album.

Bring Me the Horizon's Sempiternal is a pivotal album in the band's discography, and in the genre of metalcore as a whole. Its blend of heavy guitar riffs, electronic elements, and emotional lyrics create a unique listening experience that is still enjoyable almost a decade after its release. While there may be some criticisms of the album, it should be celebrated as a bold step forward for the band, and an example of how experimentation can lead to success in the music industry.