ALBUM REVIEW: Revelation – Stone Broken
When is a band expected to have found their sound? Is there ever room for experimentation or is it something to be shied away from? With their third full-length album, Revelation, STONE BROKEN hope to prove experimentation can only be a good thing, if not vital for a band to find who they are within themselves. The follow-up to Ain’t Always Easy (2018) features drummer Robyn Haycock stepping up to the plate to fulfil a larger duty in backing vocals. Revelation also has STONE BROKEN introducing electronic elements into their strait-laced rock sound. With an 11 strong track list, the English crew have a vast playground before them in which to explore.
Black Sunrise brings about this dawning of a new age for STONE BROKEN. The song dwells within dark broodiness akin to early THREE DAYS GRACE. Haycock’s drums sound bigger than ever, an ample bed for “a broken dream so hollow”. “It’s so hard to pretend” Rich Moss states at the end of the first chorus, the isolation of the vocal track pricks our empathetic attention. STONE BROKEN’s mission statement was to expand their sonic repertoire and Black Sunrise has them doing just that. With bigger effects on Chris Davis’ guitars and adding various melodic lilts in the background as the song goes on, the soundscape is well and truly explored. Though the more things change, the more they stay the same as Davis’ warm toned solo comes at a predictable yet satisfying time.
Feeding into The Devil You Know, it doesn’t take long to notice STONE BROKEN have their core sound and they want to stick to it. While these two tracks sound similar in places, the band are keen to build upon the alchemy they’ve started. Keiron Conroy’s bass is hugely prevalent in the verses which add to the shift in dynamic the female backing vocals have created.
As with all forms of study there are bound to be some wobbly results. While purely a track listing issue, the decision to place two ballads, Make It Out Alive and Me Without You, one after the other grinds proceedings to a halt. That’s not to say they’re bad songs. Make It Out Alive is a rousing number which motivates us to push through the dark times in our lives. “These shadows won’t let me be” Moss cries as the track opens into the duality of motivation but having the black dog stalking us as we look to that brighter side of life. The track sonically illustrates the ebb and flow of mental health exquisitely yet leaves several opportunities for the song to finish before its five-minute run time. Then Me Without You comes with the sentiment of a relationship coming to an end. With clean vocals and synth-sounding strings combining with light percussion and acoustic guitars, there’s no denying this is a beautiful song. The placement of it on the track list catches people at a point of emotional fatigue. It’s a shame this track is discounted slightly as a result, but it grows into its appreciation on further listens.
When STONE BROKEN find their sound on Revelation, they stick to it and do it well. In doing so, however, they open themselves up to further scrutiny. Over The Line’s chorus vies for attention but lacks the power it needs to make the impact it wants. Their rock elements are strong and clear, creating peaks and troughs of massive riffs and minimalist instrumentals. “I came to face the unknown” Moss states, possibly telling the tale of the album. Going into Stronger, Conroy’s bassline once again shines through an otherwise slow burn. As the track continues to simmer, we find ourselves waiting for the aural explosion. Yet it doesn’t come. Is that for a purpose? Possibly but it comes as a shame.
Moving into Revelation’s swan song, Gimme Some More gives us a lot of what we want. Coming after a slightly frustrating So Damn Easy, the closer comes with huge riffs from Moss and Davis. “I’m loose with my tongue when I’ve had enough” snaps in its delivery, housing the venom we believe STONE BROKEN had been looking for through many songs in the track list. As we move into the chorus, the momentum slows again into an anthemic movement. While the band manages to pick up the pace again for the second verse, something feels off kilter for us. It grows on us with multiple listens as we come to appreciate the nuances STONE BROKEN subtly feed us. With the clapping interlude and catchy chorus however, the live potential for the album closer is massive.
If you’re looking for an album which pushes the boundaries of modern rock, Revelation may not be for you. However, if you’re looking for music which reveals more of itself on multiple listens, STONE BROKEN have created just that. Are there moments where it falls short? Yes. Though Revelation is not something which should be written off at all. It’s an album which takes time to grow accustomed to. It’s a record which deserves that investment of time. Also, it’s a step in the right direction for STONE BROKEN. They’ve given themselves a blueprint for their next stage, their next evolution. If they follow that, this could be a very exciting time for STONE BROKEN and their fans.
Rating: 7/10
Revelation is set for release on April 22nd via Spinefarm Records.
Like STONE BROKEN on Facebook.