ALBUM REVIEW: Otherness – Alexisonfire

Releasing an album after 13 years is an extremely ambitious thing to do. Thankfully, ALEXISONFIRE fans are very patient, and we’ve also enjoyed the many solo projects in the intervening years. Now though, the wait is over, with the Canadian post-hardcore legends releasing their first album since Old Crows/Young Cardinals, which was released all the way back in 2009. Having gained popularity in the early 00s, and with their 2002 self-titled debut now celebrating its 20 year anniversary, the music scene has changed a lot since we last hard from them – how will they fit in in 2022?

With the new album Otherness comprising ten tracks, fans will be pleased to hear that ALEXISONFIRE have not lost their post-hardcore sound. The opening song, Committed To The Con starts off with a long instrumental introduction, building anticipation for what’s to come. The unclean and clean vocals mix well together, and neither feel forced. It is clear, as it has been for some time, that ALEXISONFIRE still really know their stuff.

For any fans who are worried that the long break might have made the band lose their vision, fear not. Otherness shows that the band are back to their full strength. In fact, if you did not know that there had been a 13-year gap between albums, you probably would not have been able to tell the difference. This doesn’t mean that the band don’t try something new though. Second track Sweet Dreams Of Otherness is a massive arena rock anthem, with some unclean vocals added into the mix, while subsequent track Sans Soleil even leans more into psychedelic rock.

However, whereas other bands tend to give up their identity when it comes to changing music, ALEXISONFIRE are one of the few that do not. Of course not everyone is going to enjoy the newer sounds; however, there is still enough of their old sound to please even the diehards. Reverse The Curse is a post-hardcore track that wouldn’t sound out of place on any of their older albums.

The experimentation of the album is also intriguing. For example, Dark Night Of The Soul is a long song, clocking in at a full six minutes. It’s a song that does test your patience; however, the 80s rock/metal influence turns it into a highly entertaining listen. It makes the song fly by, but the core sound is still always there.

Was it worth a 13 year wait for a new ALEXISONFIRE album? The answer is yes. Of course, whilst it won’t please everyone due to the experimental side, Otherness proves that good things come to those who wait. The post-hardcore sound remains, even on the songs that test out different genres, creating a cohesive sound. The production means that the pacing is fantastic throughout, even on the aforementioned Dark Night Of The Soul where the length could have easily become a long meandering mess. ALEXISONFIRE have come back with a bang, and Otherness is sure to go down as a yet another well-loved classic.

Rating: 9/10

Otherness is set for release on June 24th via Dine Alone Records.

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