Silent Planet - When the End Began (2018)

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Progressive metalcore outfit Silent Planet has finally released their third studio outing after teasing with almost half a dozen singles released. Like their previous efforts, the album is drenched pathos.

Garrett Russell's lyrics continue to impress and be the thing that truly sets Silent Planet apart from other heavy rock outfits on the scene right now. His employment of footnotes in his lyrics to help the listener know his purpose in word choice has become a hallmark of the band's output. But while Russell's lyrics have always been good, When the End Began marks a new level in his delivery. His guttural lows are booming and intense in songs like Northern Fires, while his understanding of timing and beat helps punctuate his words much better than he's ever done before, really shown off on Share the Body. Not to be content with that, he even attempts some clean vocals on the albums with a fair amount of success.

This is all complimented by guitarist Mitch Stark's djenty riffs on the guitar. While Silent Planet has been known for their emotional aesthetic, Stark sneaks in a bit of catchy riffs in tracks like Firstborn. Planet has always straddled the line between ambient and heavy, and they continue to in When the End Began, as guitars will effortlessly switch from chunky riffs to fleeting noises.

If there is a better heavy rock album coming out this year, I'd like to hear it, because I honestly want the feeling of being blown away that When the End Began gave me a second time.