Pridelands - 'Light Bends' - Album Review

Just as I was going over the sheer musical brilliance of 2021, I noticed that Australia has been fairly quiet for a while now, which meant only one thing - a big storm was coming ahead. And while the rumours are still bulding up, and the big guns are yet to fire off, a random newcomer by the name of Pridelands might have just delivered the biggest blast from Down Under with their thunderous debut Light Bends. Guilty of knowing absolutetly nothing about the guys, I jumped right into the unknown completely unprepared for the wild ride that would soon unfold.

A quiet countryside stream of promissing alt metal quickly turned into a powerful metalcore current that took me right into a whirlpool of some of the most innovative and epic compositions I have heard in a while. Hailing from the picturesque town of Mount Gambier in South Australia and currently based in Melbourne, these five guys have seamlessly delivered an instant modern classic that is bound to make waves this year; unpredictable, pulsating, imaginative, purpouseful, aethereal, and the perfect start to kick off 2022.

Much like an actual refraction, Light Bends is a marvelously diverse journey through past traditions and modern tropes, keeping you at the edge of your seat and shifting gears in seconds. It is epic and atmospheric without being excessively flamboyant, progressive enough to remain unpredictable and innovative without becoming an overcomplicated nerdy mess, boasting psychadelic melodies without getting dilluted and just the right amount of raw heaviness to maintain its energy throughout.

On one hand, Pridelands fit comfortably among the Aussie royalties signed for the true local instituion Resist Records, displaying that unique blend of honest lyrics, positive mindset and fresh sound we have learned to expect from the continent's musical exports. On the other, Light Bends comes out via SharpTone Records and that immediately speak volumes with regards to that subtle flirt with proggy metalcore ideas, huge open choruses and mezmerizing progressions explored across the label's stellar roster.

Pridelands have already shared that they went into the studio determined to produce something different and diverse, a "cohesive yet ever-changing journey for the listener", an "attempt at narrating certain aspects of what it means to be human and how there is always light in the dark, and darkness in the light". In retrospect, the quintet, consisting of Mason Bunt (harsh vocals), Joshua Cory (clean vocals), Liam Fowler (lead guitar), Daniel Lohrey (bass) and Joe Lipsham (drums), more than succeeded and should be very, very proud of their debut.

Musically, Pridelands wander around the vast open space of modern proggy metalcore, sort of the natural habitat for rising Australian outfits with all its influences, techniques and nuances. If I have to draw parallels, the guys begin where the likes of Thornhill, Kingdom of Giants and Currents would clash, comfortably taking their own intricate path towards metal greatness.

Light Bends opens with the intimate 'I Reach Into Your Heart', slowly building up the tempo and teasing the vortex that is about to be unleashed with the second single 'The Walls'. Constantnly jumping off between Cory's soaring highs and Bunt's furious rants, the album takes you deep into uncharted lands, bursting wide open in the bone-chilling splendour of 'Parallel Lines', 'Parted Times', 'Heavy Tongue' and 'Antipathy'.

Between the fire and brimstone of these certified ragers, Pridelands gently sneak in a few interludes to take a breathe and stroll across their imaginative world. From 'The Lake oF Twisted Limbs' to 'Safer Hands', and then from 'Translucent Blues' to 'Evergrowth', the band does not shy away from stunning harmonies and epic compositions, before delivering the beautifully fitting conclusion in 'The Sun Will Find Us'. And just like that, Light Bends is over and all that's left is to play it one more time.

This saccharine love confession aside, Light Bends truly is a wonderful experience from start to end. With just two EPs behind them, there is hardly a better way to storm the gates of global modern metal scene. While the record stands as a powerful debut, it might just end up being amongst the undisputed albums of the year, and one setting the bar extremely high, both for the rest of the year, and for Pridelands' own bright future.

Pridelands - Light Bends

Country: Australia

Released: 14 January 2022

Label: SharpTone Records

Tracklisting:

1. 'I Reach Into Your Heart'

2. 'The Walls'

3. 'Parallel Lines'

4. 'Parted Time'

5. 'The Lake Of Twisted Limbs'

6. 'Safer Here'

7. 'Heavy Tongue'

8. 'Antipathy'

9. 'Translucent Blues'

10. 'Evergrowth'

11. 'The Sun Will Find Us'