Unless you've been living under some kind of rock, you'll no doubt be aware of the hype surrounding Bring Me The Horizon's new album amo, due out January 25th next year via Sony Music.
Having made significant strides in moving away from their metalcore roots in recent years, the Sheffield 5-piece have maintained a fan base as rabid as ever and picked up a legion of new followers along the way, and the excitement surrounding the new album is nothing short of electric.
Having had the opportunity to hear amo in its entirety recently, we can confirm that it will indeed ruffle some feathers. The band's previous effort (2015's That's The Spirit) was a far cry from anything they had attempted before, introducing fans to a pop-infused hard rock opus which, while different, was stunningly catchy.
It certainly wasn't without its detractors, but ultimately it was a home run for BMTH and the success which has followed is testament to a band willing to embrace a new direction and trust in their ability to write great songs.Simply put, amo will again challenge listeners to open their minds to creative growth and the experimental nature of its content will no doubt cause a stir. It is a journey through experience created by frontman Oli Sykes and the dark, industrial nature of the album will understandably raise some concerns for the more metal contingent of the fan base.
The two singles released thus far, Mantra and Wonderful Life, are hard-hitting rock anthems, the latter of which boasts gigantic, heavy power chords akin to Results May Vary-era Limp Bizkit (fun fact: Sykes originally wrote the track for Fred Durst) and it is BMTH at their catchiest. The song also features a cameo from none other than Cradle of Filth's enigmatic frontman Dani Filth which is as confusing as it is awesome.
It is no secret that the band's trajectory has mutated in recent years but this track has just the right amount of 'heavy' to keep the masses happy.
However one need only wait until track three to feel the full effect of the new direction BMTH are headed in. Nihilist Blues (featuring songstress Grimes) is an edgy, electro-industrial track which will stun the listener and remind them this isn't the Bring Me The Horizon of old. This is a band looking for something new to immerse themselves in, further evidenced by the trip-hop infused Heavy Metal, featuring beatboxing rapper Rahzel of The Roots.
Without giving too much away, the real beauty of amo is that it is so easy to enjoy if you're willing to accept what this band has become, and what they're trying to do. If you buy in, as we did with That's the Spirit, you'll find something here which may have previously been untapped. The caveat being that this is absolutely not the BMTH of old.
The overarching vibe of the record is dark and moody, with Oli's vocals featuring prominently across 13 largely electro-pop based tracks, melodic in nature and asking numerous questions of its listener throughout.
Ultimately, amo is another captivating chapter in a catalogue of surprises. The bar has been raised once again, and for a band which has refused the restraints so many of their counterparts have been bound by over the years, it is nothing short of a game changer and is definitely worth your full attention.
Nick C.
Listen to Bring Me The Horizon
