ALBUM REVIEW: Nightbloom – Butcher Babies
Las Vegas metalcore quartet BUTCHER BABIES have had quite the transformation over the last 17 years from their humble beginnings in 2009. Two years ago, core vocalist Carla Harvey exited, shaking the group’s dynamic up completely. Their fifth studio album Nightbloom is the first without Harvey, following a lengthy three year break. This release holds a deep, personal place in vocalist Heidi Shepherd‘s heart for multiple reasons.
Opener Lost In Your Touch is an incredible starting point. It features a catchy chorus which is sure to get stuck in your head for months to come, expressing Shepherd‘s pain seemingly centred around watching her ex partner fall in love with someone else. The guitar riffs courtesy of Flury are an insane addition to this already fantastic track. “So how’s she supposed to know that I love you? / ‘Cause every time you say you love her, I lose / And how’s she supposed to know how much I do? / ‘Cause I would do anything to be in her shoеs / Does she get lost in your touch likе I do?” Shepherd sings sorrowfully.
Are You Waiting Up? is also an extremely impactful single on the track list. The melody throughout is similar to that of SPIRITBOX, which is never a bad comparison. This is yet another example of remarkable instrumentation, really making the track shine. Black Clouds Over Georgia is another highlight, with heavy influences of bands like HALESTORM noted both lyrically and vocally. Additionally, Fever In My Neck is definitely worth a listen. It features one of the best choruses on the entire album, whereas Songbird is reminiscent of a song that IN THIS MOMENT could produce and record – Shepherd‘s vocals really do the talking here.
On the other hand, tracks like Sincerity and Blame It On The Wind are a little bit of a let down in comparison, not quite offering the same level of grit and vigour initially expected. Even though Broken & Beautiful has a strong and powerful message, it just doesn’t hit that hard. The chorus is lyrically weak, unfortunately. Leaving California is equally as passable, with the only redeeming feature being Shepherd‘s stunning vocal range. It is a track which is easily disregarded. Closer Black Dove is very repetitive in nature, which really doesn’t work in BUTCHER BABIES‘ favour – a disappointing ending to a very mixed release.
Even though it is evidently clear that there are hits on Nightbloom, there are also an awful lot of unfortunate misses. Whilst tracks like Lost In Your Touch and Fever In My Neck are roaring successes, the other half of the album is extremely forgettable and lacklustre in comparison. There does seem to be some disconnect without the addition of Carla Harvey, which is a real shame. BUTCHER BABIES have a long way to go to reclaim the victories of their youth.
Rating: 6/10
Nightbloom is out now via Judge & Jury Records.
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