ALBUM REVIEW: How Well Do You Really Know Yourself? – GroundCulture

The UK arguably has one of the strongest scenes in metalcore with the likes of ARCHITECTS and WHILE SHE SLEEPS continuing to break boundaries and cement their claim. Hoping to join the elite are Newcastle based GroundCulture who are poised to drop their debut full length album entitled How Well Do You Really Know Yourself? which is due for release on May 1st via Hopeless Records.

Life Won’t Wait surges out of the gates with high energy and hard hitting riffing. Passionate lyrical projection courtesy of front man Roy Watson combines with powerful melodies to get How Well Do You Really Know Yourself? off to a flying start. REALEYES keeps the punchy tempo flowing alongside adrenaline fuelled guitar work. Enticing vocal patterns and potent drum fills enhance the diversity on show. 18 throws some upbeat 90’s nu-metal vibes into the mix with addictive pacing and sturdy bass lines. Another earworm of a chorus makes its presence felt.

Take My Breath Away follows suit with buoyant riffs and tasteful harmonies to keep the momentum going. The vocal stylings keep you guessing as they switch between abrasive screams, rapping segments and inviting melodies. Trauma Can Teach possesses a tense prose which draws you into the thought provoking lyrical content. The one-two drum and riff combination hits like a sledgehammer as the heaviness is distinctly dialled up a notch whilst still maintaining a balance of smoother tones. Blue Minds lets lively bass lines lead the way, coinciding with exhilarating waves of riffing. The captivating chorus and raw vocal bursts will give you goosebumps before neatly teeing up a monstrous breakdown.

Unbreakable injects some pace into proceedings with swift drumming and an uplifting vibrancy. This track is crying out for a sea of flailing bodies going wild to the relentless bursts of chaos that unfold. Free Fall takes an entirely different approach to its counterpart with a more restrained stride. The emotive vocal passages have a cathartic quality that lure you into the eye of the storm before you’re enveloped in a torrent of boisterous riffs. Dream Like A Child sustains the upbeat qualities with snappy drumming and floating guitar work. The soulful vocals of NORMANDIE‘sPhilip Strand add another dynamic dimension to proceedings. The track ebbs and flows, taking you on an emotionally charged journey. 10 10 1974 offers up an unexpected curve ball and the opportunity to drift away on its soothing acoustic tones. The vocal work displays a distinct vulnerability that tugs on your heart strings and lifts your spirits in equal measure to calmly bring this release to a close.

How Well Do You Really Know Yourself? takes you through a variety of moods, emotions and textures throughout its diverse construction. It is instantly evident that a lot of blood, sweat and tears have been poured into this release and they all rise to the surface to create an authentic, enthralling listening experience that swings through a spectrum of genres tying them together with ease. Every track has its own special message and part to play in the full arrangement and could easily be released as a single, proudly standing tall on its own which is no small feat. GROUNDCULTURE have hit the ground running with this release and they most certainly have a bright future ahead of them.

Rating: 10/10

How Well Do You Really Know Yourself? is due for release on May 1st via Hopeless Records.

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