STACK #239 September 2024

BRING ME THE HORIZON

B ring Me the Horizon (BMTH) - alternative music’s consummate shapeshifters - unveil their latest metamorphosis with POST HUMAN: NeX GEn . As they continue to shed the vestiges of their extreme metal past, this new era sees the UK powerhouse dive headfirst into cybertronic soundscapes, incorporating elements of electronica and dark-pop into their burgeoning repertoire. The result is a mind-twisting fusion that proves audacious and chaotic, yet utterly exhilarating. Tracks like YOUtopia and Top 10 staTues tHat CriEd bloOd shimmer with ethereal melodies that come adorned by chic, electronic embellishments. In contrast, Kool-Aid injects a dose of dystopian frenzy; its glitchy, disorientating beats create a stark, though enticing juxtaposition. The heaving undulations of IiMOusIne are emotionally stirring, as are the raw veins tapped by vocalist Oli Sykes when he bears all for DArkSide . It’s this kind of artistry that sustains the pop-punk revival - shocked back to life by BMTH - and keeps it thriving on tracks like LosT and sTraNgeRs , each brimming with profound melodrama and unapologetic, youthful rebellion.

Bring MeThe Horizon (L to R): Lee Malia, Oli Sykes, Matt Nicholls and Matt Kean

BMTH can only cage their hardcore spirit for so long, and on AmEN! , it bursts forth in a spectacular display. Larynx shredding screams, pummelling breakdowns and abrasive instrumentals take centre stage, punctuated by the dynamic verses contributed by Lil Uzi Vert and Daryl Palumbo (of Glassjaw). To

close, the new-age emo anthem DiE4u accentuates a record that captures the essence of our internet age - POST HUMAN: NeX GEn cuts straight to the heart of modern anxiety and alienation, exploring individualism with a visceral, unfiltered view of the disconnect defining today’s world. Alex Burgess

POST HUMAN: Nex GEn by Bring Me the Horizon is out Sep 27 via Sony Music

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