Of Mice & Men – Echo
Release Date: 3rd December 2021
Label: SharpTone Records
Pre-Order/Pre-Save
Genre: Metalcore
FFO: We Came As Romans, Asking Alexandria, Miss May I.
Review By: Trina Julian Edwards
California metalcore kings, Of Mice & Men, release their seventh full-length album, Echo, on Friday, December 3rd. Conceived in the midst of the pandemic, vocalist and bassist Aaron Pauley, guitarists Phil Manansala and Alan Ashby, and drummer Valentino Arteaga were determined to take advantage of that time to create. They expanded their home-studios, collaborated online, and self-produced their new music. The result is Echo, which is not only comprised of the previously released EPs, Timeless and Bloom, but also introduces 4 new tracks, including a Crosby, Stills & Nash cover.
The first three tracks, Timeless, Obsolete, and Anchor, were released in February 2021 on the Timeless EP, the heavily anticipated follow-up to 2019’s Earthandsky. Timeless features melodeath-style riffing, precision chugging, and a monster chorus like metalcore fans have come to expect. There are beautiful cleans and wrenching screams from Pauley throughout the trilogy, and the tight, thundering rhythms lay a solid foundation for some compelling lead work, particularly notable on Obsolete. Anchor is the most dynamic of these three tracks, with the massive chorus and weighty riffs balanced by ambient soundscapes and Pauley’s ethereal vocals on the verses.
Picking up where Timeless left off, the following tracks, Levee, Bloom, and Pulling Teeth, were previously released on the Bloom EP from May 2021. Levee is a huge track, both heavier and darker than those on the previous release. The song hits with plenty of force, but that breakdown near the end really serves to punctuate the somber but hopeful lyrics. Bloom showcases a different side of the band. While there are plenty of heavy riffs and tortured screams, the harmonies of the verses are so light and beautiful that this juxtaposition underscores the powerful themes of love and grief. Pulling Teeth concludes this arc with Of Mice & Men’s trademark chugging riffs and a catchy chorus over Arteaga’s ferocious drumming.
The final four tracks of Echo include Mosaic, Fighting Gravity, Echo, and Helplessly Hoping, which will make up the Ad Infinitum EP. Right off the bat, Mosaic delivers the goods with a relentlessly driving beat, aggressive vocals throughout, and crunchy riffs that hit with nu metal vibes in the best way. The following track, Fighting Gravity, takes it down a notch. It’s a thoughtful, emotional track focusing on the illusion of control. The heavy metalcore riffs are still present, but with the atmospheric melodies, jangly guitars, and clean vocals and harmonies, it almost veers into alternative rock territory. Echo is another slower tempo song, but there are periods of quiet reflection interspersed with jolts of furious energy. The track opens with a delicate intro on what sounds like a dulcimer, then the zeros drop in like nobody’s business. The T. S. Eliot quotes are a nice touch as well, and the breakdown is the icing on the cake. The album closes with Helplessly Hoping, a Crosby, Stills & Nash cover. There’s nothing earth-shattering about this rendition, but the harmonies are lovely, and it’s faithful to the spirit of the original.
Overall, there are no big surprises, but Of Mice & Men have fancied things up a bit with synths, textures, and layers without sacrificing any of the heaviness. Even though at times the metalcore staples can seem formulaic, there’s no denying it absolutely works for them. Echo is Of Mice & Men doing what they do so well, and it’s easy to see why they’ve remained at the top of the scene for so many years.
(4 / 5)
