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While She Sleeps' more recent post-pandemic career development has became an inspiring story for many bands, fans and the entire industry across the globe. Establishing their Patreon community, going almost fully independent and dropping the absolute mammoth of a modern metal record SLEEPS SOCIETY was all beyond admirable, but the question remained whether they can keep that up as a sustainable artistic and business model. While She Sleeps have rapidly became scene icons and generational leaders in all but five albums, forming a stellar discography that simply has no flaws, so was there really any doubt about their future? Now, ten years since their debut, their sixth LP SELF HELL asnwers that and cements their immortal status in the modern heavy music's hall of fame.
Considering continuity, maturity, progression and consitent self-improvement, SELF HELL is the logical successor to SO WHAT? (2019) and SLEEPS SOCIETY (2021) with its Special Edition (2022), and one can hardly ask for more. It is also the culmination of everything the fine gentlemen at While She Sleeps have been working and living for, a brilliant reflection of their drive, creativity, and freedom, embraced and reinforced over the last few years. SELF HELL has a little something for everyone, be it old fans or new audiences, and if you love either contemporary riff-led metalcore, groovy altertnative modern metal, or electro-infused arena rock, this album will surely keep you hooked until the very end.
While She Sleeps have always flirted with other genres and influences, but on SELF HELL they have truly mastered the amalgamation of musical styles, resulting in an album that is refreshing, different in captivating in ways that I haven't heard in quite some time. Throughout its 45 minutes, one gets to experience metalcore grooves, punk riffs, hardcore chants, nu metal beats, big beat transitions, electronic layers, rock choruses, indie progressions, ambient interludes, industrial arrangements, and it all sounds perfectly adequate and logical. The album is a constant fight between raging modern metal chaos and harmonious radio-friendly rock sound, and the result is simply mesmerising.
The album starts with the rallying call 'PEACE OF MIND' and the following rager 'LEAVE ME ALONE' which completely steals the show as SELF HELL's and future concerts' actual intro. Then comes the absolute banger 'RAINBOWS', easily some of the best piece of music While She Sleeps have ever produced, leading into the infectious title track, supercharged with energy and emotions, already a gig favourite. There are also 'WILDFIRE' and 'DOPESICK' operating on oposite parts of the spectrum, one a relentless punky pit-starter, the other a nu metal sing-along anthem; the riff parade 'DOWN', the hauntingly beautiful audio-visual masterpiece of 'TO THE FLOWERS', the pulsating 'ENEMY MENTALITY', the touching conclusion of 'RADICAL HATRED / RADICAL LOVE'; all those fitting interludes, fine details and nuances that combined make SELF HELL a truly unforgettable experience.
SELF HELL is a perfect example of contemporary independent metal composition, production and marketing. Ever since the promotional singles started lining up, it was apparent that this is going to be a special one, and I am thrilled to see all new songs fitting perfectly between the familiar releases. If I have to be picky, the only reason to not rank the LP as a straight 10/10 is that its second part doesn't quite match the energy, pace and direction of the first one. And then again, it is exactly those initial five tracks that are easily some of the finest 15 or so minutes heard across all metal releases in years, making SELF HELL the first certain Album of the Year contender for 2024.
Having seen While She Sleeps twice in completely different settings and periods, I can say that they are one of the finest and wildest bands to see perform live, and can also see how most of SELF HELL is made to be consumed live. The band has always been all about shared experience and emotions, brotherhood and community, togetherness and unity, and this LP is another open invitation to the wonderfuly diverse world of the Sleeps Society.
There is something special about that generation of UK bands like BMTH, Architects, Enter Shikari, Bury Tomorrow, and I tend to add While She Sleeps here as well - a healthy disregard for the rules and a unique British way of carving their own path forward. Each of them have managed to leave the original pack but also lead a pack of their own, influencing others, shaping genres, dictating trends, becoming global powerhouses, and in SELF HELL we see While She Sleeps doing just that with style, flair and confidence.
While She Sleeps - 'SELF HELL'
Country: United Kingdom
Released: 29 March 2024
Label: Sleeps Brothers / Spinefarm Records
Tracklisting:
1. 'PEACE OF MIND'
2. 'LEAVE ME ALONE'
3. 'RAINBOWS'
4. 'SELF HELL'
5. 'WILDFIRE'
6. 'NO FEELING IS FINAL' (ft. Aether)
7. 'DOPESICK' (ft. STONE)
8. 'DOWN' (ft. Malevolence)
9. 'TO THE FLOWERS'
10. 'OUT OF THE BLUE'
11. 'ENEMY MENTALITY'
12. 'RADICAL HATRED / RADICAL LOVE'
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