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Second albums are always exciting, sometimes even the most interesting point in a band's discography. You are already presented with a new band, listened to a few collabs with other favourite artists, maybe even had a chance to see them live here and there, and are about to witness the momentum, creativity and freedom of those golden sophomore years unfold with a blast. Those second efforts also have a certain "make or break" feel, deciding the future of the concerned outfit by either exceeding expectations and topping the debut or descending into a downward spiral of mediocrity, repetition and impending split.
Regarding French newcomers Resolve, it is definitely the case of the former, delivering a fantastic second record Human that seamlessly raises the bar much higher than expected. When their debut Between Me and The Machine (2021) dropped under the watchful eye of Arising Empire, we were introduced to a confident and driven young act presenting their music and message loud and clear. Today, less than two years later, the successor Human marks a spectacular evolution that is to be respected and remembered for years to come, easily making Resolve one of the most exciting new bands in Europe right now.
Human is an album that defies modern genre conventions without the forced pretence of many other "progressive" attempts at originality. In its core it remains an honest and raw take on modern metalcore with a delicate touch of intimacy and romanticism. It is also conceptual in nature, described as a "journey of self-acceptance, both on a personal level and on a larger scale, how we as a species are changing what it means to be human" in the current age or constant AI-related debates, moral dillemas and ethical crossroads.
The sci-fi themes explored in Between Me and The Machine are further developped here and backed with a perfectly fitting musical background that takes it quite a few steps further than traditionally observed between two consecutive releases in such short time span. Such is the degree of growth and maturity in Resolve's lyrics and artistry that their debut, and otherwise brilliant and cohesive introduction to a very talented act, sounds almost juvenile in comparison. Bold and beautiful, Human is also self-aware, emotionally intense and borderline poetic effort that unfolds in admirably concise and thorough manner.
The album is all about the little details and fine nuances: the alien atmosphere of the opening title track; the relentless riffs of 'Death Awaits'; the vocal layering and variety of 'Older Days'; the explosive ending of 'Continuum'; the psychotic feel and frenzied breakdown of 'Bloodlust'; the gentle melodies of 'In Stone'; the machine-like precision of 'Comfortably Dumb'; the indie sensibility of 'Ignite'; the soaring highs of 'Move to Trash'; the infectious synths of 'New Colours'; the anthemic openness of 'Moonchild'. It is all those fantastic individual singles blended into one united and logical story that leaves you wanting more.
In its entirety, Human is a masterclass of a modern metal record, putting equal focus on musical composition, track arrangement, lyrical themes, and even marketing campaign. Since late 2022, Resolve dropped enough singles to get us hyped and fully aware of what is coming and yet kept enough bangers up their sleeves to keep us entertained and excited to listen to their release again and again. Where they go from now remains to be seen but you can rest assured, with Resolve's Human France and in extent Arising Empires have both gained another stellar addition to the ever-growing modern European heavy scene.
Resolve - 'Human'
Country: France
Released: 15 September 2023
Label: Arising Empire
Tracklisting:
1. 'Human'
2. 'Death Awaits'
3. 'Older Days'
4. 'Continuum'
5. 'Bloodlust'
6. 'In Stone'
7. 'Comfortably Dumb'
8. 'Ignite'
9. 'Move To Trash'
10. 'New Colors'
11. 'Moonchild'
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