ALBUM REVIEW: Kaliyuga – In Hearts Wake

If you’ve followed the trajectory of IN HEARTS WAKE then you might have actually been able to predict this eventual shift towards brutish strength after their career of soaring melodic heights. Having always been on the side of the metalcore spectrum that’s pushed towards more traditional song structures and a focus on strong melodic choruses to really highlight the message of the songs. In the case of IN HEARTS WAKE, the Australian band’s focus on nature and climate change has been beautifully framed throughout their career thanks to albums like Ark, Skydancer, and Earthwalker. Now onto their fifth venture, titled Kaliyuga, there is a definite sense of a band honing their growing frustrations at a world working against them. 

The opening notes of Worldwide Suicide prove that this isn’t the same band we’ve come to know over the past ten years. There is a genuine intensity that we haven’t really heard from IN HEARTS WAKE before, and it is as refreshing as can be. The song is brutal and the following Hellbringer is every bit the white knuckle ride and an excellent follow up, allowing the record to really swing for the fences on the first opportunity. 

There’s a more harmonious combination of the band’s developed metalcore blueprint, with songs like Son of a Witch hosting both one of the best choruses the band’s penned sitting alongside a ripping breakdown that will undoubtedly stir many mosh pits when we can get back to that live music business again. There is a real sense of focus throughout Kaliyuga and it really helps make this record standout amongst the rest of their back catalogue. Well, that is until Crossroads attempts to break up the pace of the record with an ill-fitting near pop rock track, that despite its chorus still misses the mark with its semi-spoken word verses.

This moment signifies a break from the tear bearing, with Husk tail ending with some more calming notes after it’s noticeably melodic approach. These two tracks sit as islands amongst the chaos and certainly represent the lowest moments of the record as well. Thankfully it’s not long before the band start hitting back with strength thanks to Force of Life that also comes with some really uplifting lyrics to boot, easily making it one of the standout tracks on the album. Similarly is closer 2033, a screaming plea for the world to get their shit together ahead of our predicted demise in mere decades. It is harrowing subject matter and IN HEARTS WAKE do a good job of delivering it as bluntly and as simply as possible. 

For everything Kaliyuga doesn’t get right is certainly made up for by everything it does hit the nail on the head with. Their metalcore sound has been truly honed to the best it can be, and there are standout cuts through this record that will hold up as some of the best music the band have produced. There might be some questionable vocal performances alongside the standout moments, and also some moments throughout the record that simply highlight how well the band succeed in other areas thanks to their miss of the mark. This is another solid album from a band that have a pretty consistently great career and seem to be intent on simply sharpening the blade even further. For anyone who has already enjoyed the newest offerings from BURY TOMORROW and POLARIS will have an absolute field day with this. 

Rating: 7/10

Kaliyuga is set for release on August 7th via UNFD.

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