Review: “Between You And Me” by InVisions

York quartet InVisions have come a long way since debut “Never Nothing” was released. We had the fortune to see them at the Tech-Fest after-party stage last summer and since, they’ve recorded this very album, inked a deal with Attila‘s Stay Sick Recordings and announced a European Tour with Our Hollow Our Home. Stand alone single “Parasite” was released between the albums and was suggested as the source sound for the new material.

After multiple listens “Good For Nothing” is a slow burner of a track that grows on you. As the lead single from the album, it was a surprise choice and that is even more of a surprise in the context of the album as a whole. That’s because instead of being a tone or pace setter, it’s more of a mid album track with experimentation. It’s also one that stands apart from all the other tracks on the album because it’s significantly different stylistically. That’s not to say it’s a bad tune. It’s a moody Nu-Metalcore number with a big clean chorus and lots of orchestral work. “Too Far Gone” isn’t a Cane Hill cover. It’s actually a tune that has more than a hint of “About That Life” era Attila influence. Rap screamed vocals and bravado build into orchestral work and some solid Deathcore breakdowns before a clean verse to close. “Follow Me” continues where “Too Far Gone” left off. Rap screams with Deathcore breakdowns followed by a big Metalcore riff and clean chorus. This one has some buried electronics that are used to distort the vocals. Lyrically it’s in stark contrast to the Nu-Metal introduction of the album opener and instead has much more of a positive vibe.

“Worlds Away” has a melodic introduction before kicking up some heavier riffs and creating a haunted vibe with some tastefully constructed lead work over some chunky DJent riffage. The more melodic passages are stompy enough to keep things going with a bounce but are perhaps aimed more at the sing-a-long. “Too Little, Too Late” steps things up a gear or two with some faster and heavier guitar work accompanied by a “Bleigh!” and some Deathcore lead work that creates a far darker atmospheric. The Americanisms in the vocal tones don’t go unnoticed. “Heretic” returns to that earlier Attila influence which is apparent in both the vocal styling, content and delivery and the guitar work. There is a more traditional Thrashy riff in the verse section that is soon swamped by the volume of calls to the recovery companies for assistance due to to sheer volume of breakdowns. “Memoriam” has a programmed digital vinyl scratch loop that gives the song a Nu-Metal vibe while the guitars bounce along nicely. Rap screams and a big chorus again showcase that vocal range and add an instantly listenablity to proceedings.

“Dead To Me” benefits from some deeper gutteral uncleans while having a “What, What” chorus closer that will get the fists of those who know in the air pretty damn quick. “LifeLost” has a fantastic flow to it, seamlessly switching between its Melodic and its heavier parts as if they were meant to be sandwiched together. There is almost a split personality and the sound of a pair of separate bands in two different styles in this one, let alone two different songs. But they carry it off with style and pinache. “Down & Out” returns to the lyrical introspection with some self doubt that no doubt came from the pressure to impress with this album release. What we get is a fine piece of DJent riff orientated groove with some dark vocals interspersed with electronic breaks that work very well indeed. “Never Enough” is simply based around the concept that “too much was never enough” and delivers a fine clean chorus that is underpinned by some uncleans before building into that full on rap scream. It’s lyrically soaked in bravado and there is a Hip-Hop influence in the mix in places.

“Destined to Fail” isn’t the Nu-Metal, Linkin Park inspired piece that the title perhaps suggests. Instead it’s back to the tow trucks for those huge breakdowns and something of a downtempo influence in places. The technical lead work is impressive while a more classically skilled lead bridge to chorus is a surprise twist. The final orchestral work to close out the track is perfectly timed to close the album with the feeling of the rolling credits of the end of a classic film. If this album doesn’t get InVisions where they need to be, then there is something wrong in the World. Backed by Stay Sick Recordings they should easily be able to sell this fine piece of work to everyone who wants to listen [7.5/10]

“Between You And Me” is out now via Stay Sick Recordings