Nu-metal is back people!!! Nah I'm kidding... sort of. Aussie newcomers Ocean Grove have strode in and planted an aggressively trippy flag. This is us. This is what we do. And damn do they do it well! This baby came out in February this year so I'm a little behind on it, but we're still in 2017 for now so it's all good. I'm going to get into this quick.
The Rhapsody Tapes has delivered one of the most original metal albums of the last few years for me. Their unique amalgam of hardcore punk, nu metal and grunge influences is interesting and intriguing. On first listening to the album I was completely thrown by the way they were incorporated, it was weird but enjoyable, and as you get into the gut of the record you really see what they're about.
The originality of the band and their jarring style is best shown by the two songs Thunderdome and Intimate Alien. They contrast and compliment each other in ways that are difficult to explain, both hold all three styles but use them differently to great effect. And follow those with The Wrong Way which is again SO different then the two before, in its emotionally fragile contrast to the strength in the opening. It's lovely, honestly.
Over all it's exciting, likeable, weird beyond belief and down right dirty in places. It's an extremely well delivered hardcore album, full of vigour and creativity. More please.
Nu-metal returns from the dead?
We'll see about that: 7/10
Top picks: Intimate Alien, The Wrong Way, These Boys Like Fires
The Rhapsody Tapes was released February 3rd 2017 via UNFD:
oceangrovemelbourne.bandcamp.com/album/the-rhapsody-tapes
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