3/5 stars
Sometimes, a band just can’t outrun its influences, try as it might. It becomes so prevalent within what the members do musically that it’s impossible to discuss the group without mentioning an overshadowing forebear.
As far as Stories are concerned, it’s Underoath – the Floridian post-hardcore sextet clearly left quite the indelible impression on the Sydneysiders, serving as a clear guiding light throughout The Youth To Become in terms of vocals (mixing the guttural and harsh with the brightly melodic), as well as guitar tones and the use of shimmering ambience to draw contrast in heavier moments.
It’s certainly nothing to be ashamed of – as far as this style of post-hardcore goes, there are far worse acts to study. It does, however, hold the album back somewhat in terms of being a product that is unmistakably theirs. Rather, The Youth To Become is a product of its environment – for better and for worse. However capable Stories are, they need to take their influences and regenerate them into a sound that is willing to branch out and evolve into something all-encompassing. Moments on The Youth To Become allude to it, but they don’t linger.
A sharp, if somewhat conflicted, debut.
Stories’The Youth To Becomeis out through UNFD.
