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Confidently operating under the radar, Cane Hill have been an odd case since their inception, and continue to amaze me with each consecutive release, including (and even more so) on their latest studio record a place of me i never let you find. It might be their unbreakable nu metal roots and strong affinity to all things alternative, or their New Orleans origin and rich local musical tradition, but the gentlemen have always been particularly fond of experimentation and risk-taking, and so far this has paid off tremendously. With more than ten years and numerous genre-defying releases behind their backs, Cane Hill have not just occupied a very special niche at the modern scene, but have become its unquestionable cult leaders.
Their latest opus sees the band reinvent itself ones again, concluding a process that was hinted way back with the acoustic experimentation of Kill The Sun (2019) but officially commenced with Krewe De La Mort, Vol. 1 (2021) and Krew D'Amour, Vol. 2 (2022), and now reaches its triumphant conclusion. Ignore the actual genre, but I'm going to go as far as to say that there is a certain Deftones-ey appeal to Cane Hill, mostly with regards to their ability to surprise, experiment and just successfully navigate in the narrow spaces outside of stylistic boundaries, and adapt to the chaos they uncover there with flair and character.
There was a time when Cane Hill were a synonym of quality modern nu metal, embracing nostalgia and leading a wave determined to bring the old school back as a new industry standard. It was fun and glorious while it lasted, arguably reaching its peak for the band with Too Far Gone (2018) but then cleverly jumping ship before sinking into overused nu metal tropes and painful boredom. What followed was a turbulent journey through the colourful realm of the wider modern metal scene, with all its ups and downs, cross-genre blends, electronroc influences, pop sensibilities, label politics, online presence and permanent uncertainties, reaching its main destination at a place of me i never let you find.
The album sees haunting soundscapes, dystopian passages and melancholic melodies crash with robotic precision, relentless grooves and driven riffs, a violent clash of emotions, moods and traditions. It is a creative pool of metalcore, nu metal, industrial, indie, djent, post-hardcore, all moulded into a vibrant and logical entity. From the outstanding mechanical opener 'The Midnight Sun' and pit-starters like 'Ecstasy In Grief' and 'Eye To Eye (Iris)' through infectious arena anthems 'Drowning Therapy' and 'Permanence In Sleep', all the way to the aethereal 'How Could You Lose' and grand finale 'Fade (Into You)', the LP is an instant modern genre classic worthy of your undivided attention.
There is no point diving deeper into album analysis and cheesy comparisons, you just need to listen and experience a place of me i never let you find. for yourself, with all its sunned twists, hidden gems and countless interpretations. Its a brilliant contemporary metal album - logical and purposeful, polished to perfection, diverse and entertaining, arranged with vision, honest and direct. I never doubted that Cane Hill were a force of nature but this album sees them elevate their artistry to another level. With the ever so talented and charismatic Elijah Witt at the front, and the continuosly expanding Out Of Line Music's family at the back, this new Cane Hill era is bound to be a joy to follow as it unfolds.
Cane Hill - 'a piece of me i never let you find.'
Country: USA (LA)
Released: 1 November 2024
Label: Out Of Line Music
Tracklisting:
1. The pain ends when you let go.
2. The Midnight Sun
3. Ecstasy In Grief
4. I Always Knew We Were Doomed
5. Fade
6. Drowning Therapy
7. the sound of roses in bloom.
8. Eye To Eye (Iris)
9. How Could You Lose?
10. Permanence In Sleep
11. Finding Euphoria
12. Fade (Into You)
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