Hailing from the northeast US Emmure’s latest album “Eternal Enemies” has dropped. Brutal out of the gates, the album is full of throat punching, gut wrenching vocals and chugging riffs that rip their way into your ears and hold nothing back. Front man Frankie Palmeri’s lyrics are destructive and full of angst, reminding me of a time in high school when I’d go to local shows in Central Jersey and jump around mosh pits, punching people in the face. I assume it’s what the band aims to inspire and I can understand why Emmure is a big hit with younger audiences.
There’s a definite mainstream hardcore vibe to “Eternal Enemies”. I listened to their previous release and honestly there isn’t much of anything “new” with this latest album. Each song seems to be just a variation of the last, almost giving the listener an infinite loop of the same expected two-note breakdown. It’s not bad, it’s just not anything new, and it’s not an album of mind blowing proportions. If I had to pick a favorite from the album, I’d have to go with either the track “A Gift A Curse” or “We Were Just Kids”. They’re the only songs on the album that give as well as taking, showcasing the talent of each member individually, allowing for artistic expression and exploring musical depth as the songs progress, especially in “We Were Just Kids”. With that being said, the drummer of Emmure, Mark Castillo, is probably what impressed me the most. His musicianship is evident throughout the album and he is both tireless and fierce, proving to be a constant force. The production of “Eternal Enemies” is the album’s most valuable asset. Crisp and clean, the quality does not disappoint.
All in all, Emmure is a bro metal band and “Eternal Enemies” is a bro metal release. There is a lot of vengeance and rage on display, and this band has fortunately chosen an appropriate outlet for unleashing their exasperations. I’d be worried about how else the lead singer might take out his frustrations if he had made a different career choice.
Stevie Kopas, HMS
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