ALBUM REVIEW: Cannibal – Bury Tomorrow

It’s hard to realistically predict where south coast metalcore mob BURY TOMORROW could move forward following 2018’s Black Flame. With it, not only did the five piece land in the top 25 of the UK album chart, but also penned the song of their career in the form of its title track. Their 14 year stint in British metal has bought with it few thematic changes, arguably they never needed them, but still: as we approach album six of BURY TOMORROW‘s tenure you can’t help but wonder when the well will run dry.

Cannibal does a succinct job of not making the southerners sound tired just yet. Its playbook may come with a familiar taste, but its cold, precise execution is as welcome as ever. Putting his battles with mental health under the microscope, vocalist Dani Winter-Bates puts in an expected commanding performance throughout, shepherding Cannibal into turbulent, but rewarding waters. His violent mosh calls on the self exposing Imposter and the rampant Dark Infinite bring out BURY TOMORROW‘s classic, uber aggression with no sign of fragility.

Though Cannibal regularly lacks true star power, lead guitarist Kristan Dawson often plays the role of key virtuoso. At times sweeping in at the last minute to save a track from mediocrity, both Better Below and Voice & Truth are carried to the forefront with his twisting solos and crystallised flickers. Dawson has always been a prominent, if occasionally hidden figure in the make up of BURY TOMORROW but his importance has never felt so obvious – and it’s hard to tell whether or not this is revelation by chance.

You get that feeling because, as ever, it’s the vocal dance off between Dani and rhythm guitarist Jason Cameron which is often forced into the spotlight. But just like its predecessors, Cannibal occasionally is ill-serviced by the pursuit of peak KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and has its momentum grinded to a halt more than once. The opening duo of Choke and the title track are clear victims: both are spearheaded by a sonic grit and vigour, with Winter-Bates in cruise, harsh control – but Cameron‘s chorus lines detract from the intensity, and struggle to reach the searing melodies BURY TOMORROW are chasing.

They don’t always fall flat though, both Quake and Cold Sleep benefit from tempo shifts, and are well controlled by Cameron – who has never been a bad vocalist, but more one that would benefit from being used sparingly. And if you’re going into Cannibal already hesitant that the Southampton crew often can’t resist overdoing their blend of vocal styles – you’ll find little respite on this record. Even with that said though, what is here is solid enough, and pretty much what you’d expect to receive from BURY TOMORROW at this point if you’ve followed their journey, just don’t expect to be blown away.

Coming off the back of their most successful moment, it was always going to be difficult for BURY TOMORROW to attain the same level of success without taking an unexpected shift. Cannibal strays away from reinvention, which, for most will be welcoming news – but if you were worried that the quintet might have already seen their peak on Black Flame, by the looks of it, you may have been right.

Rating: 7/10

Cannibal is set for release on July 3rd via Music For Nations.

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