The next poetically heavy masterpiece dropped on November 11, 2016 via InVogue Records. The Scenic Route by Conspire is a delightful mash-up of potential influences from La Dispute, Balance and Composure, and even Oceana. The ten-track album is painful and pressuring with bouts of relief and euphoria.
The post-hardcore creation is the ultimate brain child of the Tampa, Florida quintet and offers a refreshing take on melodic breakdowns and lyrically-propelled verses. The album opens up with the single titled “1971,” which introduces syncopated vocals and carefully paced drums over dark and creamy guitars. It is a reflective piece pointing out the harsh realities of making choices.
Mixing dirty and distorted bass lines with down-tuned riffs and bellowing drums, Conspire has married spoken word with the best of melodic hardcore’s clean singing and screaming icons. Track four, known as “Row,” includes a guest vocal appearance from Ricky Armellino of This or the Apocalypse. The instrumentals are beautifully synchronized and let up at just the right time when the heaviness feels like it’s about to get too thick.
The Scenic Route is a testament to the true state of the hardcore industry and its promising innovation. Bands are beginning to merge different art mediums together to produce a sub-genre with an influential profundity, especially during the world’s political and social climate. Bands like Conspire and albums like The Scenic Route are emerging from the underground with a valuable message not to be taken lightly by the world.
Rating: 4/5
