Emmure - 'Hindsight' Album Review

Tracklist:

1. (F)inally (U)nderstanding (N)othing

2. Trash Folder

3. Pigs Ear

4. Gypsy Disco

5. I've Scene God

6. Persona Non Grata

7. Thunder Mouth

8. Pan's Dream

9. 203

10. Informal Butterflies

11. Action 52

12. Bastard Ritual

13. Uncontrollable Descent

American Metalcore veterans Emmure have come back to release their eighth studio album 'Hindsight', their second release via Sharptone Records, and is 32 minutes of pure aggression, the longest track clocking in at a brief 3:37.

The first track, ‘(F)inally (U)nderstanding (N)othing’, throws you in at the deep end almost immediately, carrying that distinct and undeniable Emmure/Frankie Palmeri attitude, whilst also carrying a distinct Korn feeling throughout the verses and an electronic, programmed outro. This may sound like an oxymoron to some, but this song shows a more mature sound within Emmure’s discography.

One of the heaviest tracks on the album comes in the form of ‘Pigs Ear’, a punishing track where the entire band lets loose. It feels like a 2 minute long breakdown with how heavy it is, with another electronic outro.

‘I’ve Scene God’ is perhaps equally as heavy, lowering the tuning of Josh Travis’ guitars (with the exception of a higher pitched, screeching guitar riff underneath) and Nicholas Pyatt’s bass, along with Palmeri’s deep growls. The track references several bands within the scene, namely Stick To Your Guns, Stray From The Path, Attila, Knocked Loose, Nasty, Thy Art is Murder, Nails, Vein, and Fit For A King. The track then transitions almost seamlessly into ‘Persona Non Grata’, seemingly about Palmeri himself.

The influence of Korn on the band can be seen most on the track ‘Thunder Mouth’, more specifically at the end, with Palmeri’s vocals being extremely reminiscent of Jonathan Davis’ in tracks such as ‘Freak On A Leash’. The main riff from Travis also feels like it could belong in a Korn track, but still with a distinct Emmure twist that sets it apart.

One of the most, let’s say interesting choices on the album comes in the song ‘Pans Dream’, in which the band sample a meme of a child stuttering, which was originally a blooper from a TV show in 1999. I really question the use of this sample, although it doesn’t fully detract from the song, as it provides a good break before the song ramps up again.

As mentioned previously, I feel 'Hindsight' has a more mature sound to it, and is one of the heaviest Emmure albums to date. Despite an almost complete lineup change in 2016 with everyone leaving except Palmeri, I feel like this is the most Emmure album, with them really coming into their own, However, it isn’t without its flaws, and doesn’t fully bring anything particularly new to the table, but is still an extremely competent and enjoyable album.