Music Existence Because of Music, We Exist
Rock music continues to trudge through the confines of marginalization, and a scant amount of acts have been able to successfully reinforce its importance in mainstream society. Seeing wholly decent newcomers lose their major label status after a mere few singles was only that start of my concern. But even with the end of 2015 on the horizon, faith has always fought the good fight. And that particular band to genuinely reassure me of rock’s importance was Adakain, a Texan four-piece from Dallas.
According to Adakain’s vocalist Ryan Ray, the band guns for a sound that is “unconventional, yet recognizable,” and in that regard, they’d be right. Their national debut full-length, Never Coming Home, experiments with a variety of drop-tuned and industrial grooves in the metal spectrum, never shying from displaying immense pop appeal.
“All Goes to Hell” launches the band into anthem territory, filled with nicely toned bold riffs and a head banging drum flair. The staccato riffing during the verses is wrapped by jolting synth chords, matched by Ray’s almost percussive screams. It is a well-executed setup that rightfully gears attention toward his wide vocal range, as well as sufficing in establishing the album’s general flow. On the second track, “Hate Sex,” the subject matter may have taken a strange turn, but band’s knack for melody and organization shines once again. Each verse consists of a syllabic vocal delivery that starts clean with only burst of distortion, then shifting back to a melodic structure. Between the forceful, one-sided nature of the lyrics, a genuine disenchantment is implied. The main riff adds an especially solid bounce to the gang call/harmonized response, making anyone feel compelled to move. “Don’t Try” revs up the tempo, sporting a balanced chord progression and lyrics about subtly exposing one’s true colors, and keeping an honest composure once they are revealed. I enjoyed how the three-note lead melody of the intro transitioned into the chorus, and it is a noteworthy showcase of the band’s pop-oriented side. Personally, I believe it to be a better choice for a single than “Hey Girl,” which, despite its hook-filled drive, is a bit short-sighted in its context of humor. However, the band’s other single “We Crawl” feels more natural to the flow of the album, sticking more closely to its general theme of a protracted survival.
As the album reaches the latter point, the riffs not only become more defined, but darker, and the mood switches from a blunt defeatism to one of courage and strong will. “Once Is Enough” is the ultimate gem, featuring simply the best execution of heavy and melodic influences the band has to offer. The verses entangle the listener in a web of intricacy, while the straightforward message of the chorus feels more open and breathable, especially with its nuanced acoustic tinges. By far the most metal track on the album is “Don’t Look Down,” featuring an intense brutality that emits depth and simplicity all at once. I keep coming back to it for that very reason, and I keep it in mind as one of the songs to push once the album is released. The final track, “We All Bleed Red,” reverts to the anthemic structure of the first track, albeit with a slower tempo and a more progressive buildup. Its clean guitar melody has a kind of throwback charm that is equally demonstrated in the solos. Once the chorus repeats, it is huge and empowering, bringing to light every component that contributes to a passionate delivery, and reminding everyone that the journey is far from over, but support is always within reach.
Overall, Never Coming Home is a solid debut, complete with the workings of a metal/radio-friendly rock crossover hit. The songs are indeed heavy, and given their succinct lengths, have serious potential in reaching across a broad music audience. Even with the album’s release expected for next month, I’m already excited to hear how Adakain plans to expand their sound, and explore the truly limitless possibilities that await them. Soon enough, rock music will escape its marginalized status, and reclaim its purpose as the necessary ingredient to fuel the world’s embittered, rebellious soul.
For more info on Adakain, visit:
Facebook
Official Website
Twitter
Pre-order Never Coming Home via the following:
iTunes
Google Play
In addition, check out the lyric video for the single, “We Crawl”:
