Save the Clock Tower
The Familiar // The Decay
Bullet Tooth
Release Date: 1 July 2016
Review by Rod Whitfield
I’ve been reviewing a few albums from the post-hardcore/metalcore sphere of things lately, and I’m very happy to note that, whilst the style was starting to sound a little tired and samey for a while there, a few bands have bobbed up in recent times that are shaking things up a bit. They are doing something a little left of centre within the framework of the metalcore sound. And what’s even more pleasing is that several of them have been Australian. One of them is Tassie’s Save the Clock Tower.
Their sophomore album The Familiar//The Decay features many of the trappings of the traditional metalcore sound, the dirty/clean vocal trade-off, the soaring choruses and the slick production values. But these guys have injected elements into the style that are all their own, a slightly more progressive approach to the arrangements, some non-traditional vocals and instrumentation and a general vibe of experimentation and a willingness to be bold and adventurous.
A great example of this is my favourite track Here, Abaddon, which utilises some seriously dark and moody atmospherics and imagery before exploding about half way through. It’s a ripping and very interesting piece. Album closer; It’s Over, These Bones Are Picked Clean, winds things up in strange, but strangely compelling fashion that only adds to the off-beat vibe. They really did leave the best till last, so make sure you go the distance with this album.
And amidst that spirit of adventurousness, is also a strong sense of song craft. The tunes are catchy as hell (even drifting into pop territory at times) and well-structured as well, and those two elements make this a very strong album indeed.
I can’t wait to see where this band goes next.
