Alexisonfire, Otherness: REVIEW

Alexisonfire, Otherness (Dine Alone)

Where one era ends, another begins. 13 years after the disappointing Old Crows/Young Cardinals, Alexisonfire have returned with an album that both builds on their trademark screamo/post-hardcore sound while taking it to bolder, more mature places. Now in their late 30s and early 40s, the St. Catharines five-piece prove here that there’s still plenty of gas left in the tank. Musically, it runs the gamut of emotions, from fear and discomfort (“Mistaken Information”) to pure beauty and elegance (“Sans Soleil”, the album’s emotional centrepiece and best song) to lustful passion (album closer “World Stops Turning”) to catharsis (“Reverse the Curse”) and many places in between. Traces of sludgy stoner metal, desert rock, psychedelia, Pink Floyd-esque prog, Stranger Things-esque horror soundtracks (“Survivor’s Guilt” and “Dark Night of the Soul” make heavy use of creepy ’80s synths) and even gospel can also be heard throughout. George Pettit’s guttural screams still sound sharp as ever, while Dallas Green’s angelic voice remains a perfect foil to Pettit’s — even if it’s not as showy or high-flying as back in the day. Almost every member gets to shine in some way or another; the only exception being Wade McNeil, whose gruff, snarling vocals aren’t heard nearly enough here. While it’s unclear where it ranks among their discography as a whole, Otherness is the sound of a band revitalized and growing wiser with age and experience. It’s incredibly gratifying to hear Alexisonfire continue to challenge themselves and sound in tiptop form when other bands in their situation would sound rusty. 8.5/10 Trial Track: “Sans Soleil”

This review was originally published in the July issue of Cult MTL.

For more on Alexisonfire, please visit the band’s website.

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