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There are objectively good albums, there are undoubtedly great albums, and then there are those contemporary masterpieces that are just bound to top our personal AOTY charts without hesitation. An instand modern classic in its own right, Silent Planet's latest creation SUPERBLOOM is the direct result of a crucial period for the band, a multilayered series of events unfolding on a personal and public level, with many factors working in the background to give it the rich contex needed to truly bloom as powerfuly as it does. As such, the album carries all the markings of those deeply intimate, reflective and authentic releases that end up defining genres, defying time and deifying bands.
The point where traditional metalcore roots and hardcore influences meet with industrial and synth-led production on one side, and nu metal sensibilities and alt-metal experimentation on the other, is proving to be a particularly rich pool of creativity bit is also rapidly becoming overpopulated and predictable. Way too many bands nowadays are trying to capitalise on the next big thing and while many will inevitably fall victim to repetition, Silent Planet are amongst the few that will definitely leave a mark on the scene.
As cheesy as this sound, I do believe SUPERBLOOM will be the album that gives Silent Planet the wider exposure they so deserve. To compare it with its predecessor Iridescent (2021), this one is a confident, logical and noticeable step forward, mostly observed across its composition, arrangement and production. While you could definitely imagine the likes of the familiar 'Panopticon' and 'Terminal' standing adequately alongside the fresh 'Antimatter' and 'Collider', with Silent Planet's well known lyrical depth and emotional charge in full display, SUPERBLOOM as a whole just operates on a whole new level of perfection.
I started by saying SUPERBLOOM was a particularly personal record for the band with a premiere date that deliberatly marks the anniversary of a horrific bus crash that nearly ended their career, and could have had an even worse outcome. It also happens to be a personal one for me, albeit with a much happier tone, having first listened to the absolute gem 'Antimatter' at a very special place and time. As such, outside of its fantastic musical characteristics, the LP also reflects a cosmic alignment of memories, events and fates that is particularly fitting for Silent Planet's well-known Sci-Fi influences, and will inevitably end as being the unchallenged best thing to happen in the metalcore scene in 2023 for me.
Musically, SUPERBLOOM is something of a perfect blend between the progressive nature and djenty alure of their previous Iridescent, the industrial drive and dystopian ambiance of Northlane's Obsidian, and the uncontainable passion and lyrical honesty of The Devil Wears Prada's Color Decay, all modern classics with shared brilliance and vision. It is melodic, groovy, determined, focused, forceful; a concentrated and well-timed explosion of nuances, tones and moods. At just under 40 minutes, it is fairly short and easily digestable and yet carries an unparalleled emotional load and expansive production, the perfect sonic recreation of the actual superbloom phenomenon and musical equivalent of the supernova.
The album gets its fittingly futuristic instrumental beginning with 'Light off the Lost Coast' and a complex and multilayered climax with its title track at the end. I have already mentioned that 'Antimatter' is easily the best individual track to come out in 2023, a moment of brilliance for the ages that all but sealed SUPERBLOOM's favourable reception, but if there is one more track that deserves a highlight, it is 'Offworlder', setting the right pace and direction right from its pulsating intro and subsequent crushing riffs. Following that, 'Collider' and 'Euphoria' ease up the chokehold with their dreamy aethereal deviations, before 'Dreamwalker' and the punching single trinity of 'Antimatter', ':Signal:' and 'Annunaki' switch back to top gear that reaches its highest volatility with 'Nexus'. Again, perfection.
So far this year we have listened to some truly outstanding releases, with the likes of Sleep Token, Currents, Polaris, Orbit Culture all confidently gunning for the top, but SUPERBLOOM might just be the one for 2023. With a release deep into the last quarter and all but a few potential contenders still to come out, Silent Planet look like they will be the band that defines the year for me on a musical, lyrical, visual and even symbolical level.
I have seen rumours, and this is yet to be confirmed, that this might be Silent Planet's last LP for Solid State Records. If this does happen to be true then I can hardly imagine a more fitting way to end the chapter that span over 10 rich years and 5 fantastic releases. If not, then I hope they carry on with the same passion and determination, and regardless, what happens with the band ahead will surely be exciting and I for one am already looking forward to see what outlandish and hauntingly beautiful masterpiece they deliver next.
Silent Planet - 'SUPERBLOOM'
Country: United States
Released: 3 November 2023
Label: Solid State Records
Tracklisting:
1. 'Lights Off The Lost Coast'
2. 'Offworlder'
3. 'Collider'
4. 'Euphoria' (ft. Alejandro Aranda)
5. 'Dreamwalker'
6. 'Antimatter'
7. ':Signal:'
8. 'Anunnaki'
9. 'The Overgrowth'
10. 'Nexus'
11. 'Reentry'
12. 'SUPERBLOOM'
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