ALBUM REVIEW: Greetings From Suffocate City – The Funeral Portrait

Emo rock outfit THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT have just put out their second album Greetings From Suffocate City. This record is a concept album that tells a story of religion and violence within the titular city, a rundown of its history and everyday activities. To bring this story to life, the band have recruited an amazing roster of featured vocalists from bands like THE USED and ICE NINE KILLS, all of whom lend their voices in narrating this epic tale.

Opening the record is Suffocate City featuring Spencer Charnas and it kicks off with an industrial style that feels both nostalgic of the 00s whilst also feeling modern. Combined with the powerful vocals of frontman Lee Jennings, with Charnas fitting in perfectly, and instrumentals that feel reminiscent of MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, the listener is quickly drawn into this tale.

From start to finish, Greetings From Suffocate City is filled with catchy beats, anthemic choruses and an energy that never lets up even when the tempo has slowed down. Whilst mostly focusing on an emo rock sound, we also hear industrial, as mentioned with the opening song, arena rock, metalcore riffs and even a choir that all come together to create something intriguing, leaving you only wanting more.

It’s hard not to find yourself swaying or tapping along, and it’s fun to imagine what a live performance would consist of. When it comes to their influences, which include MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, FALL OUT BOY and PAPA ROACH, you can quickly pick up on who inspired certain sections. For example, Dark Thoughts has a guitar rhythm very similar to that of the one heard in You Know What They Do To Guys Like Us In Prison by MCR, and Voodoo Doll, whilst partially reminiscent of LINKIN PARK’s Crawling, has harmonies that feel very similar to those heard on many an FOB track.

For the most part, these influences can inspire something that feels unique to THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT. However, there is one moment that feels borderline rip-off, and that’s in Generation Psycho where the composition during the first verse sounds almost exactly like Uprising by MUSE. Yet this problem is soon sorted when we get to the chorus and things shift into the theatrical, much like the remainder of the record.

So, whilst not entirely unique, THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT have created a record that is fun, nostalgic and enjoyable. Barely a moment passes where you’re not tempted to dance along and, even on the first listen, you’ll find yourself singing along to some choruses. You can’t go wrong.

Rating: 8/10

Greetings From Suffocate City is out now via Better Noise Music.

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