>> Fast forward to September of 2015 where BMTH fans were met with a new album, That's The Spirit, which would take the band in all different directions musically, except metalcore. I'm sure there are many disgruntled fans who wished lead vocalist Oli Sykes would growl at least once on this album, but for a majority of listeners, the new sound is welcomed with open ears. In fact, That's The Spirit was so welcomed that it hit number 2 on the Billboard Top 200!
>> That's The Spirit opens up with a song called 'Doomed,' a depressing, atmospheric song that introduces the theme of the album, which Sykes has described as a celebration of depression. It reminds me of 'Can You Feel My Heart,' the beginning track off of Sempiternal, which introduced a new sound right off the bat. This song is nothing if not depressing in the lyrics, but a beautiful song none the less. The chorus really shines, especially when Sykes hits the high note when he sings "I think we're doomed," which contrasts the entire feel of the song very well. You can listen to this song below.
>> "Throne" was met with enthusiasm because it may be the one song that reminds me of BMTH's sound off of Sempiternal. There is a taste of metalcore throughout the song, with it's mix of cleans and a minimal amount of screams, the incorporation of keys, and it's faster pace. This song kept me banging my head every time it came up in the queue. You can check out the music video put out for 'Throne' below. *Editor's note: This song is also worth hearing because it's ever so similar to Linkin Park's "Faint" and that song is a JAM. God bless who ever attempted this mash-up.
>> Another excellent song was the first song the band released for this album back in October 2014, titled "Drown." It is another song that tackles the topic of depression. The sound has no connection to the old BMTH (much like this entire album), and it was an interesting to choice to promote the new album that they would release a year later. It was a bold move to show that the band was completely stepping away from their metalcore sound, and I don't think I could have picked a better single. You can watch last year's music video for song below. Spoiler alert: it features the band performing at an old variety show in front of mentally unstable people and the set is plagued with werewolves and exorcisms.
>> This album falls short with the track "Happy Song," even with the understanding that the band was going for irony with this one. It's the band's attempt to sound like a radio rock band, making it a basic rock song you would hear on any of today's top rock stations. The gimmick-y cheering section in which you hear what seems to be a cheerleading squad chant out the word "Spirit," just makes me enjoy the song even less. Sykes states in the song that when we're depressed many people believe that singing a happy song will change their mood. He feels that simply doing that is just a quick fix and doesn't remove the root of the depression. The meaning in the song is all well and good, but it won't stop me from hitting skip when this song comes up.
>> That's The Spirit is a contender for album of the year. Although it is great departure from Bring Me The Horizon's original sound, it was a change that was welcomed with open arms by many fans, both old and new. You won't find it hard to enjoy the entire album all the way through (unless you're me and do not enjoy 'Happy Song'). That song aside, every other track has something that will pull you in and make you want to listen over and over again. If you haven't listened to That's The Spirit yet, what are you waiting for?
>> Another excellent song was the first song the band released for this album back in October 2014, titled "Drown." It is another song that tackles the topic of depression. The sound has no connection to the old BMTH (much like this entire album), and it was an interesting to choice to promote the new album that they would release a year later. It was a bold move to show that the band was completely stepping away from their metalcore sound, and I don't think I could have picked a better single. You can watch last year's music video for song below. Spoiler alert: it features the band performing at an old variety show in front of mentally unstable people and the set is plagued with werewolves and exorcisms.
>> That's The Spirit is a contender for album of the year. Although it is great departure from Bring Me The Horizon's original sound, it was a change that was welcomed with open arms by many fans, both old and new. You won't find it hard to enjoy the entire album all the way through (unless you're me and do not enjoy 'Happy Song'). That song aside, every other track has something that will pull you in and make you want to listen over and over again. If you haven't listened to That's The Spirit yet, what are you waiting for?
- Zach Zima
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