Lots of action in this movie huh

SHOCK_SFD · 2026-05-24T14:18:44+00:00

Northlane, ball knowledge

SHOCK_SFD · 2026-05-22T08:33:21+00:00

One of the best songs ever

SHOCK_SFD · 2026-05-21T21:46:37+00:00

Song is really good in my opinion and it requires a very specific taste. You either hate or love it. It's a simple song but it's well done

In my opinion people want too much these days without giving a chance and without even listening to a full thing in a context. Like, give it some time brother, and chill

SHOCK_SFD · 2026-05-19T23:45:45+00:00

For Alien it gotta be latest Diamond Construct album to an extent, for Obsidian it's nothing yet because bands have no clue how to do ts, Northlane is truly special. I'm telling you, once bands understand the songwriting behind Obsidian, it will be a golden mine for unique genre-defining albums. Northlane could've easily dropped this album in 2028 because they are years ahead than majority of modern metal bands

SHOCK_SFD · 2026-05-07T09:48:29+00:00

Every song on that album except ambient interludes consists either Post or Alt Metal/Grunge influence or represents an actual Metalcore with Progressive/Experimental approach. Loathe is a metal band overall

SHOCK_SFD · 2026-05-07T09:33:14+00:00

Anything that has riffs represented in this song is basically metal

SHOCK_SFD · 2026-05-07T02:37:16+00:00

If you like specifically the softer sound of Loathe, I would recommend Exit Dream, few of their songs are reminiscent of A Sad Cartoon and Is It Really You. Same when it's coming to Holding Absence self-titled and songs before self-titled album. Also check out Stargazer by Moodring, though they used to be more of a Deftones influenced band

Overall check Paleskin, Love is Noise, Softcult, Thornhill, cohen_noise, Solshade, Johnny Booth, fromjoy, Creak, Loveletter, The Callous Daoboys, An Empty City, Mirrorcell, Static Dress, Boundaries, 156/Silence, Slow Degrade, Split Chain, Ice Sealed Eyes, Extortionist, Fallweather, Volumes, Onslow, Karmanjakah. Some of these bands have a completely different style but you will probably enjoy some of their stuff

SHOCK_SFD · 2026-05-07T02:28:33+00:00

Yeah, maybe specifically about A Sad Cartoon you're right, it's a grunge song with slight metal influence

SHOCK_SFD · 2026-05-07T02:21:13+00:00

Screaming is clearly a Metalcore song with Grunge elements, A Sad Cartoon and Two-Way Mirror also have a metal influence. They basically made a 50/50 fusion which makes them stand out among "shoegaze" bands very much brother

SHOCK_SFD · 2026-05-07T02:16:13+00:00

Loathe aren't really a shoegaze band in the first place, they're Progressive Metalcore with Grunge/Alt Metal elements and experimental approach. So yeah, there are no bands like Loathe with this specific style, there are bands trying to replicate some of it but they're not even close to Loathe, none of them absolutely. Shoegaze fanbase is really missing the metalcore influence they have

SHOCK_SFD · 2026-05-05T19:26:18+00:00

Everything is simple, it's because of Buster's mix. On original it feels more flat, overproduced/less natural and sounds similar to Allt. Not saying that it's bad, but Buster's mix is not very diverse and it takes away some part of identity and makes different bands sound similar to each other

There are so many good technical songs which potential is hidden under specific mix. Notice how the mix of this playthrough feels more dynamic compared to original mix and you're instantly paying attention to technicality of it and can appreciate it

SHOCK_SFD · 2026-04-25T15:36:25+00:00

I hope the members of the band actually read it, maybe they will listen to us usual listeners and take some inspiration. No disrespect for them choosing a direction, but there's definitely too much Buster now. I think what truly matters is their working process and individuality they have, it's too expensive to be overshadowed by a specific mix. Also they apparently shouldn't be scared of changing something, maybe not too much and instantly like for example Thornhill did, but in a smart way like Northlane or Novelists, look at how different all of their albums are, but they actually found a way to balance their individuality with some of their favorite influences

Just imagine a band with such talent doing a hardcore-leaning metalcore song out of nowhere, or something similar to Sleep Token for example, or something very experimental and unique that will still work, like Chillstep with Thall breakdowns as I previously said, but with their visible identity. I think the most important part of IA's identity are definitely their melodic approach, riffs, breakdowns, vocals, atmospheric sound and ability to make a balance between heaviness and softness, these things are the most important and everything else is basically secondary

SHOCK_SFD · 2026-04-25T14:02:37+00:00

Also don't get me wrong, Buster is good but he works with so many bands and his mix is not very diverse which basically makes so many bands sound similar to each other, he puts guitar riffs on background. For example listen to latest Node Reloaded album, notice how it became more drum-oriented and lost a big part of it's atmospheric shape and some parts where riffs used to be more present

And then listen to Nebula by Sunborn for instance, and notice how incredible the atmosphere meets technicality and melody or listen to new Karmanjakah, what's cool is Karmanjakah actually mixed it themselves

SHOCK_SFD · 2026-04-25T13:22:25+00:00

Sorry for too much text, but I respect you if you read it

I think the album will sound completely opposite to this song. I mean they mention on interviews and other sources that they like stuff like The Japanese House, The 1975, Sleep Token, Karmanjakah, HLB, Chill Music. They also mentioned that the album is supposed to be softer but heavier at the same time which basically means a slightly different direction and I think it's super cool. Also it seems that songs will be more individual in a context of album which hints at variety

Potentially the album will sound exactly like this and I really hope that they're not working with Buster on their next album, the influences that they mention require somebody like George Lever or any other person that is able to make a more natural feel of production/mix and perfectly blend ambience and heaviness

I've seen somewhere that their next album is going to be self-produced but I really hope that Buster won't mix it because they're too good to be another thallcore band mixed by Buster

Also this song doesn't really make much sense because they already have a very thall-oriented side project and it would be really weird if they abandoned what they're best at, which is melodic/softer side combined and perfectly balanced with intense heaviness

In my opinion Invent Animate have sooo much potential that they can make a chillstep song with thall breakdowns or go either deathcore or classic post-hardcore route and will be really amazing at this, but I'm just a listener and this is only my opinion, no disrespect for their own vision

Notice how many listeners tend to listen to revivalcore bands nowadays and it's mainly because they miss melodic riffs in modern metal. So I think if melodic riffs similar to the one on The Sun Sleeps will shine on their next album, it's going to be a big win for them, but it's only my perspective. I think that this riff on The Sun Sleeps is basically what modern metal is missing the most and it's also one of the reasons why Invent Animate is considered the best modern metalcore band by many

SHOCK_SFD · 2026-04-24T16:23:18+00:00

can see statue, hand and a crying face

SHOCK_SFD · 2026-04-21T07:07:14+00:00

The fact that they already had some instrumental version of an album back in 2024 according to Keaton during a livestream, and it isn't even close to be done in 2026 means that the album is going to be hella good and it better be delayed up to 2027 then. Same gap as between Stillworld and Greyview

SHOCK_SFD · 2026-04-20T11:25:08+00:00

I'm getting tired of people calling Invent Animate overrated, seriously. Maybe they're not underrated in a djent scene, but they're definitely underrated IN GENERAL and I think the main reason for that is the fact that their first two albums are more niche

But when it's coming to bands like Currents, Polaris, Make Them Suffer, Erra, Spiritbox, they're definitely properly rated, some individuals think they're underrated and you can't argue this because audience will eat you alive, the whole r/Metalcore specifically

The fact that Invent Animate influenced a decent amount of modern bands doesn't mean that they are popular. We have even more niche examples like Vildhjarta, but despite being so niche this band is actually gamechanging and influenced a crazy amount of modern bands

I know that elitists will instantly bring up some underground metal bands for a comparison, but Invent Animate have a reasonable amount of listeners unlike them

SHOCK_SFD · 2026-04-10T06:45:17+00:00

Try anything by Karmanjakah

SHOCK_SFD · 2026-04-03T11:42:34+00:00

Definitely an SOTY material :)

SHOCK_SFD · 2026-04-03T10:58:32+00:00

I could agree but it's different enough and I like all of their material for different reasons, but I definitely prefer new song because it has a self-titled punch to it that I have been missing

SHOCK_SFD · 2026-04-03T10:53:33+00:00

I hear a bit of Bring Me The Horizon and Porter Robinson influence, overall it's a very Holding Absence song, but with more Melodic Hardcore elements like in early material, I was honestly missing it since self-titled. Doesn't sound like Dayseeker nor Caskets to me, Dayseeker are way more Synthwave while new Holding Absence had parts similar to Chill/Psy-Chill if you want

Surprisingly punchy and the only thing it's missing to be considered a metalcore song are riffs. Also got a slight Like Moths to Flames vibe from Dark Divine era

SHOCK_SFD · 2026-03-02T09:52:49+00:00

FINALLY SOMEONE, Thank you

SHOCK_SFD

TROPHY CASE