Label: Independent
Release Date: 18th May 2018
Genre: Metal
These days it only takes a quick Google search to stumble upon thousands of metal bands that boast politically charged lyrics, ear shredding riffs and an ambition to tear your head off from the get go. Admittedly, it’s a little tough to ever get me to take notice at times, but enter BornBroken. Armed with second record The Years of Harsh Truths and Little Lies, the Montréal metallers appear out to showcase their conviction and substance from the get go.
From opener ‘Empty Souls’, BornBroken craft a sound reminiscent to the grooves of Lamb Of God met head on with the stomp and bounce of hardcore behemoths Hatebreed. Coupled with lashings of death metal, there’s even an occasional sway towards the metalcore sensibility of Unearth which makes for some really interesting turns musically. It appears there’s a little something for everyone here, but more importantly, and critically, there’s an instant feeling of cohesion and structure.
’Doubt kills dreams more than failure ever will’ on ‘Live or Die’ is a prime example of the lyrical nature to BornBroken’s approach. As stated by the band in the build up to the record’s release, they ‘thrive on fury at the injustices of the world’, and boy does it show. The feeling in vocalist Pepe Peloquin really adds meaning to their words, fueling the adrenaline as the riffs tumble in, I couldn’t help getting fired up and wanting to pump my fists in the air.
‘Whitewashed’ and ‘Fight’ ramp up their style with a more hardcore vibe, the riffs become bouncier, the vocal delivery starts to bark, and the breakdowns begin to fly. It’s these two tracks coupled with ‘Father Death’ that convinces me the second half of the record is even more promising than the first. I found myself 9 tracks into a 10 track album and still gleefully finding influences and reference points to dig into.
The Years of Harsh Truths and Little Lies feels promising, ambitious, and a sound follow up to their 2013 debut The Healing Powers of Hate. Albeit a bit more simplistic in its structuring than the first, there’s still enough variation in their influences and ideas to maintain my engagement throughout. I went into this record with minimal expectations, and came out a genuine fan. Credit where credit’s due, I recommend all metalheads stick BornBroken on their new music radar right this second.
The Years of Harsh Truths and Little Lies is out now, and available to order via BandCamp
Rating: 7.5/10
Recommended Tracks: Whitewashed, Live or Die, Father Death