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Ever so likeable, reliable and unpretentious, Future Palace have just dropped another gem of an album Distortion, third in their career in the span of four years, and another one displaying the highest levels of quality, professionalism and vision. The German trio has established itself as an inseparable and crucial part of the modern German metal scene since their 2020 debut LP Escape, and now half-way through 2024 and the turbulent decade it feels like the perfect time to expand their reach and influence to a wider international audience, taking their band and brand to the next stage where their belong.
With two years since their previous sophomore release, their latest Distortion seamlessly takes up where Run left off in musical and lyrical terms, carrying on forward with a newly found strenght, purpose and drive. Future Palace remain the same unbreakable alloy of talent, ideas and personality that blended so perfectly just before the pandemic and stood strong together against all odds and obstacles. It is the very same Maria, Manuel and Johannes that gave us Escape and Run, returning for a third chapter that is bound to please their existing fanbase but also determined to add much more to their following.
Distortion is every bit as angry, melodic, vulnerable and volatile as its predecessors, taking all conflicting emotions and moods a step further for an even more impactful and punching result. Future Palace have already given us timeless classics like 'Paradise' and 'Flames', but this album adds several new fan favourites to the setlist with flair and confidence. The promo singles ensured that we get a fittingly explosive and hugely anticipated premiere, leading the way with the massive grooves of 'Malphas' and 'Uncontrolled', the intoxicating freedom of 'Decarabia' and 'Dreamstate', the rest of the LP following suit in style.
The album starts off particularly powerful with the leading single pair backed by the expressive 'Panic Paralysis' and the commendably defiant 'The Echoes of Disparity'. It then develops logically and methodically, passing through the familiar 'Dreamstate' and 'Decarabia' towards the relentless 'In Too Deep' and intimate 'Rays of Light'. And then bursts out in a breathtaking explosion of styles and ideas at the end, sealing the deal of a truly outstanding modern record - first with the furious and violent revolutionary anthem 'They Take What They Want', and then the inspirationally epic climax in 'Amethyst'.
I started by labelling Future Palace likeable, reliable and unpretentious and it is truly refreshing just how good and stable the band is in the simplest and most straight-forward way. The trio plays by their strenghts and consistently deliver brilliant contemporary metalcore, with absolutely nothing forced, excessive, cringey, or formulaic, and with Maria Lessing at the helm, freer and more confident than ever, it all just makes perfect sense. Their music is simultaneously exciting and accessible, refreshing and inspirational, meaningful and deliberate, a welcome rarity in the current heavy music industry climate.
For their previous release Run I ended stating that it is "intimate and deeply emotional without beeing overly dramatic or diluted", "more mature, detailed and determined" and that the band is "ready to take on the world" and "undoubtedly one to watch for the future". Two years later, I am now beyond happy that Future Palace have embraced what makes them unique and moved even further ahead in the right direction. If the past three albums are any indication, we are yet to see their best side, and I strongly suggest you all stick around and follow what they have to say, sing and scream about in the coming years.
Future Palace - 'Distortion'
Country: Germany
Released: 6 September 2024
Label: Arising Empire
Tracklisting:
1. Uncontrolled
2. Malphas
3. Panic Paralysis
4. The Echoes of Disparity
5. Dreamstate
6. Decarabia
7. In Too Deep
8. Rays of Light
9. A Fool on the Devil's Reins
10. They Take What They Want
11. Amethyst
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