Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Volumes - Different Animals (2017)
I've never had a chance to see any of my favorite metal bands live, mostly because I don't go to concerts. From what I've heard about Volumes though, they can level up live shows like party animals. Their wild instincts are also shown in the music. This album Different Animals was co-produced by Brandon Paddock who has also worked with bands like Black Veil Brides. Here, most of the band's djenty roots are gone, and they started blending their metalcore with nu/rap metal.
Co-lead vocalist Michael Barr temporarily left the band before this album, and he was replaced by Myke Terry, formerly of Bury Your Dead. The other vocalist Gus Farias also performs some rapping. He and his brother guitarist Diego Farias would end up out of the band in 2019/2020, with Diego passing away shortly after. RIP...
The opening track "Waves Control" gets straight into their earlier djentcore action, with brutal verses filled with downtuned riffing and melodic clean choruses. "Finite" starts off soft with vinyl crackling in the background, then hits with Northlane-infused riffing that would make this song suitable for both clubs and metal concerts. Myke Terry makes more use of his clean melodies that were sparsely used in his time with Bury Your Dead. Then comes a heavy breakdown with perfect alternation between the two vocalists. The album's first single "Feels Good" is more club-suitable in the beats and synths. The usage of heavy verses and sing-along choruses is like a bridge between BMTH albums Sempiternal and That's the Spirit. "Disaster Vehicle" delivers heavy punches in the guitars, bass, and drums. No cleans, only growls there.
"Pieces" has the typical verse-chorus structure, in which the verses have heavy dissonance and the choruses have melodic serenity. Plus a cool djenty outro to top it all off. The "Interlude" starts off with melancholic piano then rises into a cloudy trap beat with gentle singing. It segues to "Hope". This is where Gus puts his rapping skills to the test, while Myke sings his heart out, especially in the chorus, in which Gus switches back to his growling that hits the hardest in the bridge. Catchy choruses are quite a staple in Volumes' songs. Then comes another interlude, "Tides Change". Diego performs Latin guitar and synthesized strings that would work well in a drama soundtrack.
The more nu metal side of the band shines in "On Her Mind". It features rapping by Pouya, whose somewhat immature lyrical contributions I wouldn't have enjoyed when I was younger and more serious, but now I'm more open minded. Those lyrics just amuse me ("Let the dingaling swing!"). And even when I didn't enjoy the rapping, the chorus and riffing are still fantastic. And finally, all that's left in the outro is the beat and background siren. "Heavy Silence" is a shorter song, and it follows a different contrast of clean verses and harsh choruses. I feel like this could've had more potential as a full song, but it just ends abruptly after a quick breakdown. "Pullin' Shades" is a ballad-like song in which the nu metal and metalcore worlds really collide. Myke's clean chorus is so wonderful. Although the short solo could've been better, the rest is a true highlight. "Left for Dead" brings the heaviness back once more in Emmure levels. It comes out as more of an afterthought, and the album should've ended with the previous track.
Out with the technical djentcore, in with the partying nu metalcore! Different Animals shall give listeners something to like if they can stand the pop/rap elements. Myke Terry can almost outshine any popstar with his hooks. All I ask for is a couple tracks be either extended or discarded. So give this album a listen and unleash the animal in you....
Favorites: "Waves Control", "Finite", "Pieces", "Hope", "On Her Mind", "Pullin' Shades"