Like Moths To Flames – The Cycles Of Trying To Cope
Release Date: 10th May 2024
Label: UNFD
Bandcamp
Genre: Metalcore, Post-Hardcore, Progressive Metalcore.
FFO: Kingdom Of Giants, Hollow Front, Oceans Ate Alaska, If I Were You.
Review By: Mike Leighton
Long-time metalcore heavyweights Like Moths To Flames are gearing up to release their highly anticipated sixth album, The Cycles of Trying To Cope, on May 10th, 2024, through UNFD Records. Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, Like Moths To Flames formed in 2010 and have since released five full-length studio albums and five extended plays. Originally formed by members of other well-known bands at the time, we had members from Emarosa, Agraceful, The Crimson Armada, and My Ticket Home. Like Moths To Flames is currently comprised of Chris Roetter on vocals, Zach Pishney and Cody Cavanaugh on guitars, and Roman Garcia on drums. Lead vocalist Chris Roetter, having fronted two of the aforementioned bands, has come a long way since then. Throughout this record, it is very apparent that he put every ounce of experience and trick into his lyrics and vocal delivery!
Angels Weep was one of two singles released prior to the album announcement. This track starts off with an ambient, slow-building guitar—perfect for an opening track. This is followed by Chris’s very distinct vocals, but they’re much more succinct, with lower lows and higher highs. This track has everything, from a great chorus to crunchy guitars to amazing lyrics. Everything I had hoped for coming from these guys they delivered on, with so much more, and it is only the first track. Paradigm Trigger, the second of the two singles released, starts off strong, and it’s much more like what Moths fans might be expecting. Soaring vocals, riffs, and scales are very reminiscent of An Eye For an Eye. It’s apparent why they chose this as a single because it’s a perfect track for fans new and old. Halfway through, we get some of those melodious, almost wispy, sung vocals from Chris. Those really juxtapose nicely with the heavier parts of the song, ending with an insanely heavy breakdown that is sure to get fans going in the pit!
Over The Garden Wall is one of my favorite tracks on the album, and definitely one of the most unique. The band tries several things we haven’t heard before, most notably the vocal stylings. Chris starts off with some almost whisper/synthetic growl layered over some nice chunky guitar riffs, before jumping into the highs he is known for. Midway, we get some almost gurgly growls that sound absolutely nasty, but help to highlight the slow melodic guitar riff that follows, before eventually fading into a nicely done chorus. Throughout, we also get hints of some gnarly new lows for Chris that fans are absolutely going to love. Definitely a top track on The Cycles of Trying to Cope.
Gone Without a Trace is the first reprieve in this storm of an album. For sure one of the softer tracks on the album, but it still scratches the itch from these guys. Elements of Predestination Paradox can be heard on this track, most notably the synthy vocal layering in the intro. By the end of the track, it is apparent just the level of versatility that this band is capable of. Dissociative Being was the final track released prior to album release day. It’s another fantastic track, bringing together everything I have grown to love from Like Moths To Flames. One of the biggest elements of note is the insane musical composition, along with some phenomenal riff writing on the part of the guitarists, Zach, and Cody! Another strong track that has something for everyone!
The Shepherd’s Crown is easily one of the heavier tracks on the album, starting off with a brutal drum assault on all the listeners’ senses before diving further into the storm. Amazing guitar riffs alongside absolutely crushing vocal delivery throughout the track. Honestly, there isn’t much more to say, so if you like heavy, you’ll love this. Near the end, we get a destructive breakdown before the track ends just as quickly as it began. To Know Is To Die starts off strong with some insane guitar riffs, again highlighting the songwriting abilities of the band! Chris absolutely kills the chorus on this track, elevating it to another level with soaring vocals and catchy hooks before an abrupt ending that will leave fans wondering what happened.
Kintsugi, the third single released, is one of the shining tracks on this album. As a longtime fan of Chris and his musings since Emarosa, Agraceful, and the beginnings of Like Moths to Flames, this track hit differently. It felt like he’d tied years of growth and pain into it, which is probably why I fell in love. People don’t stay the same through life, and neither should music; his track hits the nail on the head to that point. Amazing singing throughout alongside fantastic musical composition, and some of the best lyrics from Chris in recent memory. To me, the song highlights that as humans, life is going to hurt us, and it’s going to break us; we must decide what we do after that. Will we pick up the pieces and rebuild, or remain broken?
Everything That Once Held It Together tells the story of loss through crushing guitar riffs, pounding drums, and pained, yet dissonant, vocals. Another strong track on an album already full of really strong songs. The next track, The Depths I Roam, starts off slow and eerie before launching into one of the best intro guitar riffs on the entire album! Throughout, Chris highlights his vocal abilities, seamlessly moving from lower gutturals and whispered singing to his standard screams and the singing that we have come to know and love! Throughout this track, the guitars shine bright, continuing to impress me as a listener. The final track, What Do We See When We Leave This Place, starts off somber, almost melancholy, before jumping down the rabbit hole of heavy. The boys in Like Moths To Flames leave nothing on the table as they bring everything they have to offer on this final track, this final offering to us unworthy fans. Throughout this track, and the album itself, we are presented with the idea of coping mechanisms and how they differ from person to person; this just happens to be seen through the eyes of the writer. I think it highlights that everyone has their own experiences in life, and how they cope with pain, with loss, with happiness; and ultimately, how we cope is determined by each individual.
(5 / 5)
Fantastic review Mike, very well written and is making me even more stoked for this release! It sounds like this album will have something for everyone to enjoy.