Metalcore isn’t exactly a go-to for yours truly. I like some of it, but not a lot. Then along comes BOUNDARIES, a band that managed to pique my interest. The group recently dropped its fourth album, Yearning: The Unbeautiful After, and I figured, “Why not?”
“Torn Wide Open” is one helluva banger. This is the kind of track that’ll shake out the cobwebs with a quickness. It might even get rid of last night’s hangover. Meanwhile, “Bitter Ash, Bitter Love” rolls right over you like a bulldozer tearing through a construction site.
“Unequal Whole” and “May This Pain Never Leave You” are legitimate head-crushers, screaming like banshees as they go. The same can be said for “Death Will Follow Me,” another tune I particularly enjoyed. Elsewhere, “Wasted Angel” gets the blood pumping in a hurry.
Yearning: The Unbeautiful After marks the band’s first album for Sumerian Records, and the quintet has definitely made its mark. Matthew McDougal handles vocals, Cory Emond and Cody Delvecchio tackle guitars and vocals, Nathan Calcagno provides bass and vocals, and Tim Sullivan pounds the drums while also contributing vocals.
My only real issue is the number of tracks. Fourteen is a bit much, and things start to feel repetitive as a result. Still, that’s a relatively minor flaw.
Metalcore may not be my usual jam, but BOUNDARIES made a strong enough impression here. Fans of the genre would be wise to check out Yearning: The Unbeautiful After.
STANDOUT TRACKS: “Death Will Follow Me,” “Torn Wide Open,” “Unequal Whole”
RATING: 8/10
—THE MAESTRO
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