Review: “Strange to Cope in Today’s World” by We Do Not Belong Here

A meeting of the minds between guitarist AJ Martinez and drummer Troy Bennett, members of Louisiana Blackened Death Metal powerhouse Faustian, who create a sinister sonic landscape for the shredded vocals of Nat Heck, member of Louisiana Emo staple Wonder Kid who also plays bass, We Do Not Belong Here description of themselves as “Blackened screamo from Louisiana“ seems fitting. Formed in 2022 as an outlet for the trio to reject stylistic constraints, they recorded at Hightower Recording by James Whitten (A Wilhelm Scream, Thou, Eyehategod) who also mixed and mastered…

…The melodic meanderings if opening cut “A Chain Pulled Taut” are intriguing, their warm glow a release from the dull ache of life before the full throttle first verse of “A Life, Explained” absolutely pummels. Combining the two styles doesn’t seem possible but when the first chorus chimes in that’s exactly what the band have done, creating something remarkably Avant-garde and dare we say it, artistic. Cathartic vocal bursts from Heck give the song a real emotive quality, reminiscent of bands like The Fall Of Troy, while the rise to blast beats and driven riffs from the ocean of meloncholic meandering for the final moments is an absolute masterstroke. As musicians they have found artistic freedom to bravely try something different and it pays off handsomely.

Some cleen vocals rise to the surface in “Faith or Fucked“, their haunting quality adding to some 70s American Rock sounds before another sucker punch of Death Metal makes its presence felt. It’s like the calm before the storm, the violent mood swings not flick switch but smoothly transitioned to ensure a seamlessness that works incredibly well. The vision was one thing, the execution quite another and yet the trio prove this isn’t a one trick pony by producing a collection of songs that astound. A heavier hitter, “Shame” has a tasty bass groove to it alongside those vocal chord threatening screams, an echo effect making it sound like Heck is roaring into The Grand Canyon. A sample introduces “Strange to Cope in Today’s World“, the swirling opening riff setting an ominous atmosphere with Bennett producing the kind of kit performance that Tim Yeung of Morbid Angel would be proud. A heavier track, the swirling rage and darkness that band create is monsterous before an almost inevitable melodic lull in the closing. A false ending for an acoustic moment that brings back those 70’s is cleverly constructed as is its build to a sudden stop rather than a crushing final verse. A hidden gem to come back to time and time again, this something special [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. A Chain Pulled Taut
2. A Life, Explained
3. Faith or Fucked
4. Shame
5. Strange to Cope in Today’s World

“Strange to Cope in Today’s World” by We Do Not Belong Here is out 8th September 2023 and is available for pre-order over at bandcamp.