Review: “Tomorrow Will Be Better?” by All This Filth

Mixed by Daniel Thabet (Patterns Of Decay, Kassad, Spiteborn) and mastered by Alan Douches (Cannibal Corpse, Devildriver, Prong), “Tomorrow Will Be Better?” was created between May 2021 to October 2022 at Sumo Studios in Perth, Western Australia by Industrial tinged Groove Metal five piece All This Filth. Armed with lyrics focused on themes of personal struggles and human nature, they have been around since 2008 in one shape or form. However a revolving door of musicians has left vocalist Brendan Preston the last man standing from those early beginnings, so how about album number three?

A Nu-Metal style lyrical narrative wrapped in a thunderous Metallic Hardcore laced groove greets the discerning listener like a slap in the face from a woman scorned with opening cut “It’s Never Going To Be Ok“. A punchy little number which doesn’t do anything you haven’t ready heard elsewhere, it is however done with style and grace from a band who know exactly what they’re doing. The lyrics feel a little nostalgic without that woe is me factor of the late 90’s bands, the shout of “So What the fuck? So what the fuck? What the fuck?” that is the chorus a little cheesy but additive none the less. Imagine thirty thousand people chanting it at a festival. That would be a real moment. “Dark Hearts, Dead Minds” introduces buried warm synths to the chorus of a thunderous Metalcore track while the demons leak out cathartically from a fresh hole in Preston’s skull, passing up the opportunity for a solo to focus on the rhythmic battery. Solid without having that gut punch moment that would take it to the next level, it makes way for the news reel samples of “Still Bleeds My Heart” which flows into Metallic Hardcore territory with consummate ease. Staccato riff breaks galore added to by a couple of breakdowns makes this one a guilty pleasure that you’re going to come back for.

A bludgeoning blunt force trauma of an opening is built on by some eerie synths in the chorus of “Disconnect“, which is feels like a necessary evil in order to allow the track to surpass the four minute mark without a solo on first listen. It does however grow on you with repeated listens, the distinctive “All This Filth” style grinding down your resistance quite quickly. There is a school of thought that says some of these cuts would have a greater impact if they were a little shorter, even through none of them outstay their welcome and this one is a prime example. Rattling the bones, the intensity and energy of “No More Rain” with its galloping drums and razor sharp main riff adds a little spice that’s nice to the album and enhances the flow with a faster cut that calls for circle pit attention while still having sing-a-long ability. A melodic introduction to “Breathing Concrete” makes for a palate cleansing moment of clarity before the riffs return as the band roll up their sleeves and give us a real stand out cut. This one has that certain something that is hard to put your finger on, whether its the industrial tinged melodic passages or the crunch in the verses, it’s all very tasteful and contrasting with the other cuts. Leaving that World behind “Exploitation” then increases the intensity once more with a machine gun fire like style wrapped in a narrative about slavery and abuse. It grabs the attention with its caustic, rapid fire approach and would have made for a solid opening cut and the same can be said of “Waste My Life” which feels like the conjoined twin of the earlier cut. If it wasn’t chemically enhanced by an introduction then this battering ram would be considered pure neck snapping Metallic Hardcore, despite having a short but oh so sweet solo. The energy is certainly there, it’s just that sometimes less is more.

Staccato riff infestation rich “Collapsing” has better integration of the industrial elements but its when the band allow them to drop out for a punchy straight up riffs that this one works better, the down tuned chugs powerful enough to crack concrete like a jackhammer on their own. A miserable introduction sample brings “Skyline” to life by painting a bleak picture which sets the tone for the darkness that follows, the lyrical narrative being one that will resonate with anyone who has loved and lost. Bitter, twisted and yet cathartic, melancholic and yet heavy, this one ends up being another stand out on the album because it stirs the soul in a way which others don’t. By the end of the drawn out synths this one actually feels like an older Mushroomhead tune and may help you breathe more easily. Saving the title track for a grand finale is an interesting move because “Tomorrow Will Be Better?” is actually one that could have been brought forward in this collection and worked equally as well. A powerhouse cut, it batters the cerebral cortex one final time with a little more depth and texture… [7/10]

Track Listing