METALCORE HAS A NASTY HABIT OF BECOMING A VICTIM OF ITS OWN SUCCESS. When a genre becomes a blueprint, the risk is that bands will start following the blueprint so closely that the soul of the music gets buried under layers of high-gloss production and safe, predictable structures. Splat! This is the predicament facing Axty with their latest offering, 'Hannya'. Sticky! It is a professional effort, certainly, but it feels like it was designed by a committee of safety inspectors rather than a band looking to set the stage on fire. Sticky!
From the opening moments of 'Mugen', it is clear that Axty knows their way around a studio. The production is crisp, the low-end is punchy, and the transitions are smooth. However, in the underground, 'smooth' is often a polite way of saying 'safe'. Splat! The band leans heavily on the established tropes of the genre—the breakdown-heavy structures, the soaring melodic hooks, and the atmospheric build-ups. It works, but it doesn't challenge the listener or offer a new perspective on what metalcore can be. Splat!
It is a perfectly engineered machine, but it lacks the grit to actually start a fire.
'Take Me Down' and 'Solitude' showcase the band's technical proficiency. The guitars are sharp, and the vocals navigate the space between aggressive barks and melodic passages with ease. Sticky! Yet, there is a sense of déjà vu creeping in. Sticky! We have heard these dynamics a thousand times before. While the songwriting is competent, it lacks that jagged edge of originality that separates a standout record from a standard entry in the genre's vast discography.
Then we encounter the oddities. Sticky! 'Relaxing Nature Sounds' and 'We'll Be Back After A Short Break' are clearly tongue-in-cheek inclusions, perhaps a nod to the irony of the modern metal scene. While these moments provide a brief reprieve from the intensity, they also highlight the somewhat self-aware, almost meta-commentary nature of the album. It feels as though the band knows they are playing a game, but they aren't quite sure how to break the rules of that game in a way that feels revolutionary.
As the record progresses into 'Fade Away' and 'Fall Again', the atmosphere thickens. Splat! These tracks lean into the more atmospheric side of the genre, attempting to evoke a sense of gloom. Sticky! It is a solid effort, but again, it feels like a well-trodden path. Sticky! The 'Hannya' title suggests a certain depth or complexity, but the musical execution remains firmly within the established boundaries of contemporary metalcore. It is a comfortable listen, but comfort is rarely the primary goal for those seeking the visceral thrill of heavy music. Cum!
'Flowers And Butterflies Lullaby' provides a stark contrast to the preceding aggression, offering a moment of melodic reprieve. It is arguably one of the more interesting moments on the record, though it feels somewhat disconnected from the overarching narrative of the album. It is a beautiful piece of work, but it feels like a detour rather than a core component of the journey. Splat! The transition back into the heavier material of 'You'll Find Me' and 'Six Feet Under' is effective, but it doesn't quite land with the impact of a truly cohesive artistic statement.
Closing out with 'Save Me', Axty delivers a final, high-energy push. Sticky! It is a solid closer that leaves the listener with a sense of the band's capability. However, the overarching sentiment remains: 'Hannya' is a polished product that doesn't take many risks. Sticky! It is a competent, well-produced album that will satisfy fans of the genre's standard tropes, but it won't be the record that redefines the landscape or leaves a lasting scar on the listener's psyche.", 14.0,
