Out Now
According to the press release, Alarum’s latest album Recontinue showcases 11 new tracks weaving in and out of heavy and soft, dark and light, in-time and off-time, lyric and instrumental metal music that Alarum is well known for.
This means little to me, but I do know that I have heard music from Alarum before and enjoyed it, so that’s all the synopsis I need!
Opening up with Introspective, Alarum surprise from the outset with a gentle acoustic interlude that lasts all of three or four seconds, soon giving way to the familiar screeching of guitar and precision drumming. It sounds like an elongated jam intro so far, until a subtle shift in sonic disparity introduces a wicked guitar solo that soars into the unknown, offset by off-kilter drum and bass that rises and falls without regularity.
It’s a shuffling sort of track that ebbs and flows in defiance of convention, setting the tone before an abrupt passage of beeps brings Introspective to a close and moves us on to Imperative.
A tasty drum roll kicks things off before guitar makes its presence felt and a guttural growl of sorts beckons forth a solid vocal attack full of anger and contempt. This track maintains an eclectic pace, with musical interludes injected throughout the landscape at irregular junctures, without impacting the overall feel of the song.
Alarum are definitely a band with a shit ton going on, but thus far don’t appear to be throwing breakdowns and changes in for the sake of it. Each shifting in temperament accentuates the song’s structure and direction, providing moments of respite amongst the tyranny that don’t overstay their welcome.
The Visitor has an almost flamenco vibe early on before more urgency creeps into proceedings as the drums and guitar dominate the sonic plain. Lead vocalist/bass player Mark Palfreyman barks and menaces with devastating effect, but it is the musicality on display here that is the real focal point.
Technical and mesmerizing, guitarists Scott Young and John Sanders sound like they are having the time of their lives, despite the constant intricacies and tempo shifts, creating a multi-layered chasm of musical brutality that is offset almost maniacally by sudden and obtrusive passages of serenity that would make Louis B Armstrong blush.
A Lifelong Question starts with a classic rock vibe, awash with guitars and a steady beat that gradually quickens as the song kicks into gear. There are elements of classic rock infused with jazz and heaviness dispersed in equal measures before the vocals menace their way into the fold and add yet another layer of musicality.
Subtle and momentary drops in aggression punctuate this track, providing a brief intermission of sorts from the aggressive nature of A Lifelong Question, before delicate guitar midway through threatens to cast a shadow of longing over the song. Of course, this doesn’t last long before the drums kick in forcefully and another guitar solo pierces the air in a lengthy passage that implodes into itself to reveal the harsh underbelly that seems to be Alarum’s ground zero.
Unresolve opens with a whimsical bout of reverb – from what I don’t know – before settling into a gentle wave of guitar, which is in turn smothered by insistent drumming. A bit of back and forth threatens the status quo, all the while a chunky guitar riff lingers menacingly, providing a multitude of sonic directions from which to proceed.
This is a rebellious yet approachable tune despite the harshness of the vocals, which is one of Alarum’s main strengths. With so many variables at play at any given moment, music lovers of all tastes are (sometimes briefly) catered to, allowing for greater depth of clarity and interest across all genres of rock through metal.
It is a balance seldom nailed despite widespread attempts, and I have a feeling the reason Alarum manage it so well is that their end game isn’t the mass amalgamation of genres. In fact, I doubt if the band has an end game. They more seem to write and play music that has meaning to them, and if they happen to all fall under the same collection of tunes, great.
If not, the issue isn’t forced.
Metanoia rises with a steady drum shuffle awash with classical-sounding guitar and a wicked bass line that is fleetingly invaded by a harsher guitar riff that appears in bursts of indignation. So far, I have been waiting for the harshness to gradually assume prominence, but Alarum aren’t having any of it. Instead, the casual swagger continues unabated and without serious threat until what is now apparent was an instrumental track fades into nothingness.
Well played boys.
Zero Nine Thirty starts with a clusterfuck of instruments that is impossible to separate before easing into an almost jazz-like groove of atmospherics and soundscapes. This is by far the mellowest track so far – until it isn’t.
The vocals explode in time with a wave of drums and guitars, instantly upping the pace and urgency momentarily before the jazz ensemble reclaim their platform and tone things down once more. It seems like this is actually a battle of contrasting styles as heaviness and soothing textures wage sonic war in variable increments, and so far it seems like the wave of calm is winning the battle. This is a beautifully structured slab of music that still encapsulates technical precision without the need for brutality.
Unheard Words sounds like it could be a ballad, but a dose of ferociously frenetic double kicks soon puts that fear to rest. After the initial onslaught, Alarum pull things back markedly with a more deliberate musical passage that slips in and out of anger without effortless precision.
Without warning, the song flips on its head with a jazz-infused breakdown softening the blow for a fleeting moment before Unheard Words violently gathers momentum and deviates into an ultra-fast and aggressive track that is, quite frankly, difficult to keep up with.
Which is a good thing.
Footprints fires up amid swirling guitars that rise with beautiful irregularity, painting a chilled musical portrait with tempered guitars and softer vocals. It is a massive shift in pace and direction but still doesn’t feel out of place. Which becomes even more blatant as a mass of drums and guitars introduce a wave of hostility that perfectly offsets the previous serenity.
Into Existing begins with a rock-drenched guitar riff before off-timing drumming and short, sharp vocal bursts send things veering into another stratosphere that feels familiar despite the constantly changing soundscape. This is a brutal and uncompromising track that almost stutters in delivery at times, creating a sense of foreboding not possible by instrumentalization alone.
A fierce, guttural growl lingers below the surface of the song that is given added menace by the constant barrage of drums, before a well-placed guitar solo separates the flow for just enough time to allow the drums to get their second wind as they return with menace.
Final track Awaken By Fire has a measured and subtle intro that is almost whimsical and dreamy. If the previous ten tracks are anything to go by this is only a casual tease before we are dragged into war once more, but as the calming strains continue it seems as though Alarum have saved something unexpected to finish with.
As a constant thud of drums begins to gradually assume dominance, the mood of Awaken By Fire shifts gradually until a deathly cry of “here we are” negates any thoughts of a soft finale. Much to this reviewer’s delight.
Guitars begin to forcibly enter the fray and Alarum are off into the musical unknown once more. I said it earlier, but shall say it again. There is so much going on here musically that it is impossible to slot Alarum into any one – or even three – genres. What they are is a refreshingly offbeat and experimental outfit who push the boundaries of musicality with reckless aplomb and come out looking and sounding like winners every time.
Every song on Recontinue is different in a multitude of varying degrees but rather than come across as disjointed or pieced together, Recontinue more stands as a tribute to what can be achieved when you follow your own beliefs rather than conform with expectations.
Up there with the best albums of the year.
