ALBUM REVIEW: Hyperactive – One Morning Left

We now live in a post Hypa Hypa musical landscape, where Roddy Piper‘s haircut from They Live is combined with big synths, neon purple and 80s excess. Granted, ONE MORNING LEFT have been peddling their version of 80s tinged synthtastic metalcore since 2008, but now it feels like they have been given a space to flourish and to invite their fans to, in their own words, “Join us on our quest to make the world a bit more epic.”

It should be said that ONE MORNING LEFT bring a degree of fun and joy to an otherwise hyper serious and dreary scene. Modern metalcore, with it’s seemingly endless roster of bland bands singing about drowning, needs to have some fun injected into it. And here is where Hyperactive jumps, spandex clad, into the scene. An aptly named title, the record barrels along at a snappy pace, at no point outstaying it’s welcome.

The combination of modern metalcore and 80s excess works well, with the synth lines injecting a healthy dose of neon into the riffing. Singers Mika Lahti and Leevi Luoto show off their vocal talents, putting a tremendous amount of power into the big melodic choruses and the gritty screams. As a duo, their delivery is on point. At no point during the record do the vocals sound thin and weedy, fitting in alongside the lightening infused guitar riffs and the slabs of sawtooth synths. Sinners Are Winners is the perfect encapsulation of this record, a sunset strip evoking rock tune, with a big chorus, guitar hero style licks and synth lines dripping with bravado.

Worry Less Dance More is a another highlight of Hyperactive, speeding along towards one of the best choruses on the album, with an excellent change of pace in the middle of the song, where we move from power metalcore to lounge music in the space of a few seconds. The band’s cheeky personality is all over this tune, and they will have you dancing in no time. Live Laugh Love is a great circle pit inducer, with the thundering kick drums driving the tune forward, with the occasional blast beat roughing up the poodle perms. The superb synth lines on single Ruthless Resistance bring a sense of joy to the listener, taking their inspiration from old school video games, adding an energetic neon glow to proceedings.

This album is a little ball of hyperactive fun, taking the energy of DRAGONFORCE and adding in a healthy dose of metalcore riffing that is perfect for maintaining energy levels on long drives to gigs on sunny day. In naming their album Hyperactive, ONE MORNING LEFT have placed their cards on the table from the beginning, daring you to join them on their neon infused journey.

Rating: 7/10

Hyperactive is out now via Arising Empire.

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