Emmure has always been a band that let the music do the talking. That in mind, the title Hindsight is more than fitting for their ninth studio album due out on Friday, June 26th, 2020 via SharpTone Records.
Coined by Revolver Magazine as “the most polarizing Metal band since Limp Bizkit,” Emmure now offer their latest monster – an album forged together by early 2000s Nu Metal influences along with the band’s collective independent thinking. Thirteen songs in total, its foundation is both perfectly laid out on a silver platter, but also wrapped up in an enigma so that you can pull it apart piece by piece to absorb as you please. Creating something that would not only live up to the hype of its 2017 predecessor Look At Yourself, but completely obliterate any expectations or pre-conceived notions of what was to come, Emmure has done that and more.
In standard procedure, a record label approaches a band to gather intel so that outlets can attempt to understand the intention of the artists. However, this is Emmure, and Vocalist Frankie Palmari chose a different approach. Regarding Hindsight, Palmari states, “I simply hope the fans enjoy the song as much as we do and look forward to the full album releasing this year. Beyond that, I don’t believe in explaining what the music is supposed to be about. In fact, I consider it creatively bankrupt to rob people of a chance to experience, dissect, and create their own unique ownership of what a song potentially represents to them.”
Digesting these thoughts, from the moment Hindsight kicks in with “Finally Understanding Nothing,” you will know something special is going on. In fact, it perfectly sets the tone for the visceral depiction of artist expression. From here, it is nothing but heavy fret work and savage vocals, delivered with brutal conviction. Tracks like “Gypsy Disco,” “I’ve Scene God,” and “Persona Non Grata” are blatant examples of their past influences coming to life and hitting you in right in the face. For instance, Korn comes to mind throughout “Thunder Mouth,” which pummels you with a face full of nostalgic vocal intensity.
As the album goes on, there are essential emotive, denser tracks such as “Informal Butterflies”and “Pan’s Dream.” However, there is a vastly different effect versus tracks like “203,” or “Action 52,” which are brutalized with a ferocity that Emmure fans will eat alive. This is while “Bastard Ritual THURS” and “Uncontrollable Descent” close things out with a smack reminding you of the beat-down you just received.
If you want to find a complete summary of this album, you are in the wrong place. In enough words, Hindsight is a refreshing compilation of the band’s collective efforts to create the most confrontational and irresistible whirlwind of breakdowns and hooks coupled with a spirit that’s not to be ignored. Delivering an album that is as tenacious and raw as they are, Emmure continues to obliterate all expectations, forcing to not only form your own understandings, but inspires you to think for yourself. That is why Cryptic Rock gives Hindsight 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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