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A true force of nature in the UK metal scene since their inception in the mid-2000s, Bury Tomorrow are yet to release a disappointing album and their sixth LP Cannibal hits just as hard as expected. In a time of rapid technological advance, limited attention span and constantly changing tastes and trends, it is important to remember that stability and consistency are just as valuable as innovation and experimentation. While a lot of their contemporaries are looking for ways to be relevant, interesting and ahead of curve, Burry Tomorrow are amongs the few that remain true to themselves and their core fans, and keep up delivering passionate energetic modern metal of the highest quality.
Following the whole promotional cycle for Cannibal was a great pleasure, single after single teasing exactly what we got at the end: one hour of relentless modern metalcore in the unmissable style of Bury Tomorrow. The UK has produced some of the most influential metalcore acts to be taken seriously and left a mark in the global scene, and even then not many of them have achieved Bury Tomorrow's contribution and consistency, not to mention the atmosphere on their live shows. Album after album, Bury Tomorrow carved their name amongst the greatest in the game, with proven pit-starters like the title track 'Cannibal' certain to lead the way in years to come.
Going through personal struggles and confronting their own demons, the band openly tackles mental issues with their latest effort that is almost conceptual. From brief personal encounter I know just how nice and down to earth these guys are, so I tend to listen to their songs and lyrics with extra attention because I know they are honest. The unfrotunate events of 2020 led to difficulties and delays, with Cannibal eventually caming out amidst a national lockdown where a lot of people had struggles of their own, but I am sure the album helped not one troubled soul worldwide. I have to mention Daniel's involvement with the NHS and his tremendous work with the Solent Trust as the absolute statement of what Bury Tomorrow are and believe in. You can see interview and really feel the guys standing behind him and joining in his actions and just for that they will always have my utmost respect. And I cannot reiterate again how lovely these guys are, and while the metal scene traditionally boasts a fantastic repertoire of alpha douchebags, this is a nice change of pace and one that does not take anything away from their otherwise fantastic music.
I always give extra attebtion to bands and artists in general that create a sound that is immediately recognisable and somewhat trademarked. For Bury Tomorrow, aside from Jason Cameron's soaring vocals, it truly is a full band accomplishment that there isnt a single track in their already extensive discography that is not uniquely theirs. When artists gravitate towards a safer, familiar creative field, they often get discredited for being repetative or predictable, but personally I loved every single second of Cannibal and its predictability might just its strongest side. Where it arguably fails to deliver anything unheard-of of and lacks contemporary flair, it is also their finest body of work yet.
Long story short, it is just a banger of a record. Ignore all glorifying analysis above and give it a spin if you don't believe me. Every day, I have been heabanging to 'Imposter', singing along to 'The Agonist', airguitar to 'Cold Sleep', screaming my lungs out to 'Cannibal', and most of all, completely disrespecting my surronding to the bouncy masterpiece that is 'Choke', ever since its release.
Cannibal is more precise, better produced, perfectly balanced and with noticeable attention to the smaller details, there is no surprise it broke into the OCC Top 10 for a personal record at #8. Everything was pushed up a notch: the screams are angrier, the melodies grander, the breakdowns heavier, the lyrics deeper, the solos simply better. Overall, Cannibal boasts the expected yet not easily accomplished maturity of a band with six albums in a little over ten years.
For me, and I believe I speak for many, Bury Tomorrow have had a very very special place in the contemporary metal (call it metalcore if you must) scene in the UK and have been a true national treasure ever since Potraits. There have been absolute gems in all of their record and I already cannot wait to see what they have in store for their next album.
Bury Tomorrow - 'Cannibal'
Country: England, UK
Released: 3 July 2020
Label: Music For Nations
Tracklisting:
1. "Choke"
2. "Cannibal"
3. "The Grey (VIXI)"
4. "Imposter"
5. "Better Below"
6. "The Agonist"
7. "Quake"
8. "Gods & Machines"
9. "Voice & Truth"
10. "Cold Sleep"
11. "Dark, Infinite"
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