Currents: Life // Lost


This is an album that came out at the start of last year, that I found out about through randomly trawling through random heavy songs on YouTube. From hearing it first I was instantly hooked and it became one of my favourite albums of this year.

 Currents are a young band from Connecticut, formed in 2009. Having already released two singles in 2012 and a debut EP, Victimised in 2013, this is their debut record. While they occupy an increasingly crowded subgenre of metalcore, the progressive/technical side, they still manage to stand out as one of the finest up and coming bands in that scene. Their sound combines the technical precision of bands like Veil Of Maya with the monstrous grooves of The Acacia Strain, all draped in the filthy, sinister atmosphere of bands like Barrier. The truly brilliant part of their style though, is how they can keep all this disparate elements balanced and craft songs that will be stuck in your head for days. So have they risen to the challenge that is putting out a debut album?

At 8 tracks long this is a rather brief album, free of the intros, interludes and instrumental cuts that are common in this genre. However with Life // Lost, they have distilled their sound into 8 very distinctive songs that both demonstrate their artistic range and are destined to destroy your speakers. Anxiety kicks off the record, fading into a grimy djenty riff and featuring some impressive guest vocals from Ricky Amarillo of fellow tech metalcore heroes This Or The Apocalypse. The closing track “Derelict” occupies a similar space, ending with a burst of frantic rapping over a Northlane-esque breakdown from Devastator vocalist Matthew Youkhani. The guitarwork and rhythm section work together exceptionally to craft some truly memorable grooves, from the bouncy djent of “Sleep Paralysis” to the frenetic metalcore blasting of “Euphoria”. Melodies come in a variety of forms too, from a moment of classic Swedish melodeath in “Rose” to the ominous lead line layered over a pummelling riff in “Derelict”. The guitarists seem to have an infinite supply of diverse riffs and lead lines from the –core spectrum, able to blend them together without it descending into complete Danza-esque chaos. The breakdowns may be numerous, but they never feel out of place and always crush.  For a debut from an unsigned band the mixing is excellent, every element clearly audible and packing an immense punch. Vocalist Patrick Apario commands this ship, possessing some of the most powerful vocals in the genre. He can switch from raspy searing highs to conjuring some very guttural lows, even throwing some well placed cleans in the mix, yet his vocals really shine on the title track. A piano lead number that builds into a vicious crescendo, he uses a more hardcore sounding yell, sending chills down your spine. On an already emotionally charged record, his vocals turn some dark lyrics capturing a moment of suicidal thoughts into something devastatingly beautiful.

This album is a rare breath of fresh air in a genre full of bands which can often fail to capture your attention. Technically superb. Forward thinking. Beautiful. Violent. Emotional. These are just a few of the words you could use to describe this album. I for one am looking forward to seeing where this band goes in the future.

9/10

Standout Tracks: Life // Lost, Euphoria, Sleep Paralysis

For Fans Of: Structures, Reflections, Veil Of Maya, Barrier.

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