Album review by Cody-James Henderson
The foundations of Australian Metalcore are upheld by 4 pillars that stand the test of time. What was carved out by ‘Parkway Drive’ have only been strengthened by the likes of The Amity Affliction and Northlane. But as these 3 stand, the 4th has become a rotating door inspired by those before them. Whether its the technicality of Polaris, the emotions of Void of Vision or the new breed of Thornhill or Alpha Wolf its safe to say the talent in the Australian Metal scene isn’t falling short anytime soon. But there was a time in the early 2010s where one Australian band was submitting their place amongst giants quicker than we have ever seen. Following the main road out of Byron Bay, came In Hearts Wake.
If you ask any Australian Metal Band of the last 10 years where their influence could be traced back to, at least 9/10 of them will talk to you about the tarot card influenced Divination In Hearts Wake debut album back from 2012. What could only be described as an album beyond its time, Divination quickly shifted the Australian Heavy Music landscape more than what a lot of people realised. A feat once again realised when the band embarked on a 10 year celebration tour in 2023, playing to some of the bands largest audiences yet and bringing some friends a long for the ride (especially to Sydney, where ex-Northlane vocalist Adrian Fitipaldes would step on stage for the first time in 9 years to reprise his feature on ‘Shapeless’) But after the high, comes the low. Longtime bassist and backing vocalist Kyle Erich has decided his time in In Hearts Wake has come to an end, but not before one final tour and song appropriately titled ‘Farewell’.
How does the impact the band going forward? Not enough to slow them down as the band would tease their next album to follow. A spiritual opposite successor to the bands debut album called Incarnation. Eleven tracks curated to match the 11 tracks from Divination, fulfilling the 22 Major Arcana Tarot Card Deck. The negative that mirrors the positive if you will. But without the impact of a crucial member and the pressures of following on from a classic, just what could Incarnation create after all this time?
“I’m full of Spite on the mic and i’m ready to bite because i’m spitting nails”
This isn’t just a metaphorical lyric, the opening track ‘Spitting Nails (Wheel of Fortune)’ delivers an angry introduction to our Incarnation journey, as vocalist Jake Taylor hits a new intensity, the likes of which we haven’t heard in some time with the band matching it each step of the way. The purpose served on the opening track on prior IHW albums sets the tone for the thematic followings, and if its fraction of the anger reached on this track we’re on for ride here.
Lead single ‘Hollow Bone’ is up next and it’s still hard to grasp such a powerful sounding chorus without the soothing nature of Erich’s vocals accompanying it. But you will hear the voices of tandem guitarists Ben Nairne and Eaven Dall lend their voices to the cause, helping drive home well structured melodies the band has been noted for in albums past. ‘Hollow Bone’ is a step back in time with a major step into the future of the band, giving exactly the right amount of nostalgia needed for a sequel piece whilst not allowing yourself to copy and paste what has been done.
I hope you took a chance to breathe in the silence, because ‘The Flood’ is up next and if you’re not careful you’ll drown in it. In saying that however, this is 3 minutes of submerging that fans will have been looking for. Its quick tempo change after a blistering introduction may slow the pace a little but it only doubles down on the intensity. The band has always been angry against the world but it only feels like their intensity has grown in leaps in bounds over the years. A familiar voice lends themselves once again, as Parkway Drive frontman Winston McCall joins the rush much like he did on Divination. The blending between himself and Taylor delivers one of the most instense sing-a-longs in either bands discography that’ll leave audiences pulling the most intense face possible right at the back end of the song.
“Like a throat slit bleeding in a fucking ditch. Born into a world of shit”
In albums past, IHW have been no sucker to slow things down after a few tracks, but clearly that structure was thrown out for Incarnation. Insert here; ‘Orphan’. When i say this is the by far the heaviest song that IHW has ever created, I say that with no hesitation in my voice. Appropriately titled (The Devil) ‘Orphan’ is a non-stop panic attack of breakdowns, tempo changing, head crushing mayhem that rivals the current realm of Deathcore. And just when you think its over, it comes back in slower, harsher, more chaotic, and as Taylor gasps his way through one more chorus almost butchering away at his vocal chords you’re left in awe at what you have just heard. This will shoot right to the very top of the best metal songs of the year and may even cement itself in Australian Metalcore history.
‘Generation Doom’ gives more of the vibes the band ventured into on the Duality of ‘Earthwalker’ and ‘Skydancer’ where the intensity is lowered just ever so slightly to emphasise more of the message being conveyed. That’s not to say it isn’t a heavy track, its breakdown call out will be sure to get any crowd of people into an automatic frenzy, but you can tell this is more of the open and honest IHW we have come to love. The same can be said about ‘Shishigami (The Empress)’ with the return of Eaven and Ben to drive home the ultimate all together chorus but also a native tongue appearance from Paledusk vocalist Kaito. These tracks feel like they just missed the cut for an album like Divination but that doesn’t take away from their worth in the slightest. If classic IHW is what you’re looking for, you will absolutely find it here.
The album only gets faster as ‘Tyrant (The Emperor)’ is 100 from the get go. Almost reminisent of ‘Survival (The Chariot)’ in more ways than one. Whilst the cards accompany each other the in Major Arcana Deck, its clear these two tracks were always destined to be together. From one about unity and continuing to carry on, Tyrant turns back on itself to destroying the foundations of weak leadership. A metaphor of being political, IHW have never been silent about fighting for change. This would be new anthem to lead a revolution the way ‘Survival’ was in 2012. And for all you eagle eared Halo fans, you best believe there is something in this for you as well.
“I’ve dug a grave so deep that all of my sorrow will end. Feeding the dead.”
Stretch that neck of yours before coming out of mosh retirement, because ‘Feeding The Dead’ is a slower tempoed headbanging anthem. Even without the clarity of Erich to deliver on a song focusing on grieving and emotion, the band hasn’t skipped a beat with being in touch with yourself whilst sticking to its story purpose. It feels like its over just before it begins, but in such a short time youre delivered what just feels like a classic metalcore track.
‘Michigama’ is derived from the Chippewa indegenous tribes of the North West areas of the United States which when translated, means “The Great Lake”. And a great lake is what you will need to hold all of the features that make an appearance on this one. A brutally honest depiction of the current state of Flint in Michigan being without drinking water now for over a decade, IHW recruits Chris ‘Fronz’ Fronzack (Attila) Chad Ruhlig (For The Fallen Dreams) and David Gunn (King 810) to lead the political charge against the forces that left Flint behind. This epic encounter fells like the “Endgame” of 2010s Metalcore as each element added by the genre defining acts only adds further emphasis to the anger that a community feels. To have some large names emphasise such a tragedy even after all this time shows just how much the world needs to change, so kudos to the band for using a platform like this to continue to raise the awareness needed. And doing so with such an incredible song.
Continuing that charge into ‘Shellshock’ the band makes comment to the current state of the world and the conflicts it faces. The stories of war and trauma take the forefront here over the music as we are left to try and understand the battles those in torn apart countries continue to face with no sense of peace. This is a theme the band really took on on their last two albums in ‘Ark’ and ‘Kaliygula’ and only seems to be echoed even louder here. The sentiment of ‘The High Priestess’ is that of mystery, but its no secret that IHW are opposed to unneeded conflict and bloodshed.
A clean chorus still doesn’t feel right without Kyle, but the nergy and effort still feels all the same. It may take some time getting used to this however.
“When I’m alone I feel at home in the places that I’ve never been.”
But now I ask you to close your eyes, and envision your first time hearing IHW. Was it Divination? Was it beyond that? Doesn’t matter. Close your eyes as ‘Transmission’ begins the end of the album, and feel your soul taken back to the first time you stumbled across a Metalcore record. What did it make you feel? What did it change for you? This is a path we are on together. Over that time, you may have lost people you joined on this journey, or maybe you even lost yourself. Take these 5 minutes and just remember thhose times.
‘Transmission’ is a track that sounds like its straight out 2012. Its message is one as beautiful as ever hearing Jake trying to reconnect with a soul he has lost and trying to hear them one more time that will get right to the heart of the listener. This song will either get you moving physically or will get stagnant emotions in your heart moving you to sobbing. There is no inbetween. A truly beautiful ending to a flawless experience.
A band faced with the departure of not only a long time member but a best friend could end up one of two ways. It could force a band to the brink of collapse or it could push a band to cement themselves with no intentions of going anywhere. In Hearts Wake have chosen the latter option here and I’m so glad they have.
Incarnation is just completely flawless from start to finish with not a single moment weighing it down. It is now the new benchmark in revisiting the past to shape ones future and will stand the test of time the way its prequel has. It has been years since a Metalcore album has had me hooked from start to finish the way that ‘Incarnation’ did. This is, dare I say; the greatest album the band has ever created. Through the clouds of saying farewell to their best friend, came the silver lining of releasing what I can only describe as the best Australian album of 2024 and maybe even the best in general. A true statement in being one of the iconic pillars of all things Australian Metal has to offer.
OVERALL RATING: 10/10
STANDOUT TRACKS: THE WHOLE ALBUM. Front to back.
IN HEARTS WAKE – UPCOMING TOUR DATES
Thursday 5 September 2024 – King Street Bandroom, Newcastle 18+
Friday 6 September 2024 – Liberty Hall, Sydney 18+
Saturday 7 September 2024 – The Tivoli, Brisbane 18+
Thursday 12 September 2024 – The Forum, Melbourne 18+
Friday 13 September 2024 – The Gov, Adelaide 18+
Saturday 14 September 2024 – Magnet House, Perth 18+
