3.5 stars
The melodic metalcore scene seems to go from strength to strength, both in Australia and internationally. Now, this country has just thrown up yet another contender to the post-hardcore throne.
Permanence is Melbourne-based six-piece Storm The Sky’s debut album, and while it doesn’t really break any new ground in this musical space (an extremely difficult thing to achieve), it displays remarkable self-assurance. Everything is in place; everything is perfectly engineered to help ensure its success. There’s a blend of clean melodic vocals and aggressive screams/growls, the guitars roar with fury and the drums pound like thunder. While its overall effect is highly aggressive, there’s almost a pop sensibility going on, especially in some of the choruses. Check out ‘Dead Giveaway’, with its pop-punk-style melodies leading into a bone-crunching, heavy breakdown.
Lyrically, it’s apparently a concept piece, and cuts quite deep, taking on dark and existential themes – the futility of life and the realisation of our tiny place in the universe. These guys are not pissing around with frivolities.
File these guys alongside Northlane, The Amity Affliction and that ever-growing bunch of bands: world-class Aussie metalcore acts who have international profile written all over them.
