Internal Conflict – A P O R I A
Release Date: 9th July 2021
Label: PHD
Bandcamp
Genre: Metal, Metalcore.
FFO: Machine Head, Architects, Killer Be Killed.
Review By: The Demented Raven
So today we have Internal Conflict, a British Metalcore band with their newest effort, “A P O R I A”.
The album kicks off with Kingdom of Apathy, which sounds like it could have been a grand introduction but we’re thrown with an overload of sounds all at once. For an introduction track, it really attacks the senses but not in a satisfying way and more in confusion to what this introduction is trying to be. It’s strange because the likes of “Bleed the Sky” had an introduction where the instruments kicked in with ease and so to somehow manage to achieve the opposite effect in this track, baffles me. What has thrown me off most however is the vocals by Adam Kyle as they sound like vocals that I’d expect from someone just starting out in a band. Not one with an album and EP under their belt. So far, not the best of first impressions here I’m afraid.
For the second track, we’re greeted with a brief but atmospheric piano section on Paraesthesia. It’s (the piano) incredibly basic but the band musically starts to show some promise here. Sadly the song isn’t sure on what it wants to be. The album continues with Atlas Down, which begins with a generic styled introduction, with the guitar riff leading the melody whilst the vocals by Adam Kyle remind me of an inferior version of Brent Hinds (Mastodon). The atmospheric piano is a nice touch (an improvement compared to Parasthesia) but the clean vocals by Matt Hall don’t particularly stand out either. Then we’re introduced to the spoken vocals which are incredibly bland. It’s a shame, as the guitar riffs from that point actually sound decent.
Bleed the Sky has a promising introduction and is perhaps, the strongest track of the album. It would have been a great starting track as the instruments really kick-in and give off a great first impression (compared to Kingdom of Apathy). Then the vocals kick-in. Unfortunately, again, I don’t feel that Adam’s vocals really gel with the rest of the band and Matt’s clean tones are a little underwhelming, reminding me of the likes of Jacoby Shaddix in a lesser form. I did really enjoy the music on this one but vocally it’s an incredibly difficult listen. Especially the spoken/shouted word section.
Hollow Heart begins and we’re back to some more conventional Metalcore but fused with some “Dragonball Z” type screams, blended with melodic singing. The mixture of vocal styles is a frustrating choice and sounds like a bit of a mess, with the instruments occasionally drowning out the singing. I found this particular track hilarious, but for all the wrong reasons. The track leaves us with an agonizing scream, and to be honest, that’s how I’m feeling right now.
The album, after this, sadly doesn’t stand out from this point on, except for the final track Kayfabe, which in itself, has a unique concept. We start with SFX in the form of camera clicks. The song is a good change of pace (& with a unique take of current world events in regards to the likes of Social Media) but only slightly. Sadly, some of the mixing here is questionable, especially when the guitars overpower the vocals.
Whilst I believe that there is promise with this band, “APORIA” just doesn’t deliver. The best I can describe Adam Kyle’s vocals is “Angry Englishman ready to blow out his vocal chords”. I feel that the vocals do not fit what the album is trying to portray and Adam’s vocals dissolve the dark immersion that the band intend to put out there. Matt’s clean vocals didn’t really excite me either, but you can hear that he really tries to put effort in them. There’s definite potential there. Also, some of the mixing choices leave me extremely baffled.
Unfortunately, there’s not enough originality for this band’s album to stand out, and it falls very hard into the generic category, but I also feel that the band have the potential to step outside the box and get more creative with their work. 
(2 / 5)
