This album starts off with “Bet”, and seconds in and I am just so excited. Some of the little details on this album are so fresh and interesting. While this is just some whirring sound effects and an above average riff, this comes off as seriously brutal. Plus, with this first track clocking in at 4 minutes, New Waters really give this one plenty of time to settle in, and if you’re new to these guys this is a fantastic track to start with. The riff is determined and has shades of everything from Every Time I Die to Dillinger Escape Plan. But that being said, there isn’t anything too abrasive here. No, this isn’t just an all-out onslaught. As intense and this track is, it’s also accessible and easy to digest. Don’t you worry though, “Bet” will absolutely have your blood pumping. Not to mention, there’s a certain gruffness to vocalist Pete’s voice that is just so likable. Not to mention, this track rounds up with a 1-minute breakdown that would make any of Hardcore’s finest proud. Now, there’s a TON of really interesting, forward-thinking production on this album. On “Languish”, it takes this already blistering, intense Punk jam and takes it to the next level. This track is explosive, with plenty of Crossover Thrash elements thrown in as well. Take for example that guitar solo that comes out of freakin’ nowhere just in time to kick your ass once you think you have New Waters all figured out. If you’re into the heavier side of Rock, no matter what your flavor is, you’ll find it here. The onslaught rages on with “Raven”, and I actually really love the technical guitars that come off especially heavy during the verses. So much so, that they practically throw in a little Grindcore or Thrash elements. All of these different styles clashing so well makes this whole album so much more interesting. This may be the explosive Hardcore album that I’ve been dying to hear for a while, but none of this is by the books. Even that bluesy breakdown towards the end is just so brilliant. “Sewed My Mouth Shut” however, is where I think New Waters come off most effective. I absolutely love this prolonged intro, that shows almost a Post-Rock atmosphere take over for an entire minute before that great onslaught rolls back in. But what’s brilliant is, that very shimmering atmosphere sticks around in the background during the verses. And you know what that means, the ferocity of a Hardcore jam mixed with the strong base of a Post Rock tune. The result is one of the most interesting, forward thinking and genuinely Experimental Hardcore tunes you’ll hear this year.
Now, “No Rest” is the only track so fat that some of the very forward thinking production and added synths come off a bit awkward. I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily bad, just a little awkward. When the rest of the track bursts in, things get punishing very fast. There’s a lot of the same spiraling solos and vicious vocals. But I think what really does help this track get over are some of the moments in the last half. Some of these effects on Pete’s vocals make him sound like he’s suffocating, and while it doesn’t last too long, it’s effective. Then we get tracks like “Tirade” which are absolutely crushing. I wouldn’t say there’s anything about this one that’s nearly as fancy. But for a Hardcore tune with some serious teeth, this works. There are some serious MathCore influences as well. Sadly though, there are some of Pete’s less flattering vocals. I get that they’re muffled for effect, but it comes off a little more toothless. For my liking, I would much rather hear New Waters tackle tracks like “Ruin”, with much more Progressive and genuinely experimental approaches to Hardcore and it’s accompanying genre.s. Now, compared to the last track, Pete sounds like an absolute fucking monster here. As a matter of fact, ALL of the vocals on this track are incredibly hulking and seemingly inhuman, and I can’t help but eat it all up. “Ruin” is one of the most unapologetic tracks here, more of THIS, please. This album continues down a very brave and interesting path with “Kinahmi”, bringing in another cinematic sort of instrumental break right off the bat. Honestly, I think it’s moments like this that make this album a must listen. Obviously, those instrumental breaks may not be New Waters’ style. But with bands like Deafheaven out there bringing Metal together with more atmospheric genres, New Waters bringing in these instrumental passages is greatly welcomed. What follows is an absolute trip, as the boys bring in Ruben Mustonen from Rats Will Feast for some vocals. “Kinahmi” is a much more spacey and bizarre approach to Hardcore, to say the least. But once again, these big risks pay off massively, as this is easily unlike a lot of Hardcore I’ve heard recently. Plus, I love just how unapologetic this one is. “Kinahmi” spits in your face and doesn’t give a damn. New Waters have absolutely every tool to succeed in this genre.
Now, “Addict” is a little more straightforward, but it’s certainly got me just as pumped up, and I continue to love how absolutely vicious these vocals come off. They aren’t the prettiest I’ve heard, obviously, but they will knock you the fuck out and not think twice. This track is just an onslaught of one instrumental piling up, one after another until there’s nothing left in sight. It’s one of the more straightforward tunes, but New Waters still make it work and bring plenty of fantastic energy to this genre. But man oh man, with the title track, “Experience”, I would swear that New Waters have saved the best for last. This one starts off with an acoustic intro, and I would be lying if I said it didn’t have me on the edge of my seat. Where this track lacks in brutal instrumentals, it succeeds massively with atmosphere. There are some spacey synths, and some saxophones by Emmi Rajala which is surprisingly epic. Even when the guitars come in, this track has such a swagger to it. It’s like the bar from Twin Peaks, but so much more darker and evil. Even the pacing on this one is brilliant, so when the vocals do pop in it’s one of the most euphoric and magnificent moments of this entire album.
Rating: 8.5/10
Give A Listen To: "Bet", "Experience", "Sewed My Mouth Shut", "Ruin"
Genre: Experimental Hardcore / Hardcore / Crossover Thrash
Overall Thoughts: New Waters came through with an absolutely explosive album here. In an age where a lot of Hardcore Bands play it safe and blow through an album with crushing riffs and bloodthirsty vocals, New Waters have outdone themselves. The crushing riffs and bloodthirsty vocals are here in spades and are enough to get any Hardcore veteran ready for the pits. But where New Waves captures you the best, is in the risks they take. The production is interesting, the ideas are forward thinking, and every time you feel like you have New Waters all figured out they send a massive curveball straight to you. Elements of MathCore, Post-Rock instrumental breaks, genuinely interesting concepts, it’s all here in spades, making for one of the most gratifying Hardcore albums I’ve heard in months.
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