Album Review: Haunt Me As I Roam

I don’t know why I haven’t listened to this band before, but from the opening track I was hooked. I had seen them in magazines and on websites for years but unfortunately not taken enough notice. But that has now changed I love finding new bands specially kiwi ones to be infatuated with.

Although this band has heaps of punk and hardcore tones there is a hell of a lot of metal running though their veins. The intro and first track goes from almost black metal sounds to their more traditional interpretation of metalcore.

One of the things I loved was although their lyrics are extremely aggressive and full of expletives they are surprising positive messages  almost what one could describe as a righteous anger which to me is exactly what metal is about. There’s a lot of pain and emotion put into these lyrics but at the same time a lot of hope and strength. No time for melancholy here it’s not a goth album.

Years of touring New Zealand and overseas has paid off with some big guests on this album from the likes of Comeback Kid, Architects, The Amity Affliction and Deez Nuts. Obviously they have gained a lot of respect over the years to get guests of this level on this release.

It’s really hard to pick just a few standout tracks because to be honest each have their contrasts and are great on their own merits but to be real picky the title track Haunt Me As I Roam is a corker, Wanderlust is another that rips you in two and For Anyone That Hurts has a great message of strength for those hard times.

This being their 6^th release this is a band well worth diving into their back catalogue just so you can see their evolution to the group that they are now. This album is up their as one of my favourite of the year and I’m hoping they are back for some shows sometime soon in support of this album. Buy this album you will not regret it.

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