Review by Saxy S for World Is Quiet Here, The - Zon (2023)

The second full length album from Wisconsin based The World Is Quiet Here is a fascinating record, even if I cannot call it a great one. This is progressive metalcore with a heavy emphasis on the "metalcore" portion of that moniker. I entered into this album knowing nothing about the band, but seeing the subgenres my mind immediately went to Between the Buried and Me projects like Alaska and Colors. The was not likely the best comparison point because the record can only dream to live up to those standards.

I think a recent band that The World Is Quiet Here are closer to replicating is Fit For An Autopsy. The technical passages serve more as interludes and transition sections to more breakdowns and groovy parts. The band does have some variety with softer interludes on "Moonlighter", but they have a difficult time making those sections work as part of a whole rather than feeling like just a random style change.

There are some really well constructed songs here, but I found that most of them are the ones that don't exceed nine minutes; "Aphelion", "White Sun" and "Moonlighter" are well constructed, they don't overstay their welcome and feel like complete ideas. Whereas "Ossuary", "Heliacal Vessels" and "Impetus I: Torrid Sands" drag the record out... almost as if this band were trying to replicate Colors, which, as already mentioned, Zon sonically shares very little in common with that album.

I'm not even opposed to vocals of Lou Kelly. The cleans are certainly an acquired taste, but I think they give the record character. They definitely sound theatre-y and I've spoken about theatre vocals in the past and that they can become distracting if not executed properly. I think here the vocals are isolated enough behind harsh vocals that they don't become distracting, just... weird. 

I think The World Is Quiet Here are an acquired version of progressive metalcore, but I can hear signs of greatness. I think if this band cut back on some of the fat, wrote more concise with their songwriting, they could make a great album. For now, it's fine, but I wish there was more.

Best Songs: White Sun, Heliacal Vessels I: The Mothers of No Kin, Moonlighter, Aphelion