Review: “Awaken The Voiceless” by Sour Times

It has to be said that the fierce chemistry between multi instrumentalist and artist Ben Reigle and partner in crime Joseph Izayea (From Under Concrete Kings, Seeking Sirens) was one of the key ingredients in making 2021’s “The 11th Hour” from Springfield Massachusetts Metalcore act Sour Times such a phenomenal record. The duo welcome into the fold guitarist Chris Matthews (ex- Tetsuo, ex-The Search For) for their latest burnt offering, a highly anticipated sixth studio record which the band have described as a raw and honest look in at the state of humanity today. Recorded across three studios with session drummer Monte Arnstam gracing the stool, it’s been two years in the making…

…Death looks clearer through bloodshot eyes and the politically and socially aware nature of this beast of a record speaks volumes about the importance of freedom of speech and a right the remain violent. Opening cut “People Over Profit” cleverly integrates a palate cleansing introduction piece before leaping head long into traffic with 2003 era American Metalcore flavours, the bold clean chorus from Izayea underpinned by screamed uncleans which rear their ugly head throughout the verse. Stuccato riff infestations are the natural soundscape for this hostile piece of the puzzle, the music a little bit raw around the edges but still hitting with a blunt force truma. The eight five second burst that is “40ft Noose” hits like a sucker punch, a single verse armed with a gang chant and multiple unclean voices giving it a schzopherinic quality. Reminiscent of bands like Unearth, while it doesn’t sound unfinished, it feels like it could be a component part of a longer song with a distinctive air about it. An acoustic meloncholic meandering opening bodes well for a full acoustic rendition record title track “Awaken The Voiceless” in the future, the album version stepping up into Metalcore after the first verse. Once again thunderous and fierce, this one has an absolute ripper of a solo at its beating black heart with some early Avenged Sevenfold style riff moments making it a real nostalgia trip. The clean vocal moments from Izayea on “No Victors” give it the sing-a-long appeal of Atreyu while never slowing down the punchy guitars in order to be incorporated. The Hardcore breakdown in the final third is an absolute masterstroke while it has to be said that the volume on some of the unclean backing vocals could do with being turned up, some of their caustic nature dampened by the mix. “Sickness” then throws in a couple of new elements with a couple of harsher Deathcore inspired roars and a couple of fierce banshee screams backing the unclean parts. A savage assault on the senses which doesn’t let got of any of the earlier stylings, this one is actually a mighty fine introduction to the band as a whole, covering all the bases of the bands sound. It’s hard not to embrace Sour Times because if this has dropped on 2003, there is no doubt they’d be a Global Phenomenon at the present moment [7/10]

Track Listing

1. People Over Profit
2. 40ft Noose
3. Awaken The Voiceless
4. No Victors
5. Sickness

“Awaken The Voiceless” by Sour Times is out 13th October 2023 and will be available over at bandcamp.