To The Wolves
Rating: 8
Review by: Georgina Strilakos
Los Angeles goth-rock and alt-metal powerhouse Stitched Up Heart has recently announced its 3rd studio album. The new work is titled To The Wolves,” and it is an affirmation of the group’s thread mark theatricality and hard-hitting goth-metal tone. While this approach to metal is nothing new, Stitched Up Heart offers something special in the form of the lead vocalist’s performance. Alecia ‘Mixi’ Demner has a very charismatic approach, and her vocals can be soothing and subdued, as well as aggressive and present when the song segments call for it.
The sound of this album is also quite immersive in its own right. The record’s title track is the perfect opener, with its synth-driven atmosphere. The song has a cinematic twist, making for an immersive introduction to the album. Right off the bat, it’s clear that this record is ambitious, and it is meant to sound mesmerizing and darkly beautiful. The music encapsulates the turmoil of gothica, while never losing sight of modern metal’s sonic intensity. Another great example is the track“ The Hunting.” This is one of the album’s true heavy hitters, spiked with cutting guitar tones and aggressively distorted synthesizers.
The sublimation of electronic sounds, drums, and guitars offers a heavy, industrial-like twist that merges well with the band dark-centric themes. Still, there is room for all sorts of influences on this album. Some of the songs even“dare” venture into pop and dance-like territories, showcasing the band’s versatility and utter disregard for labels and creative constraints. This album shows that Stitched Up Heart is keen on carving its own path, making music with no compromise. theatricality and hard-hitting goth-metal tone.
Fans of artists such as Halestorm, Motionless In White, or Ice Nine Kills should most definitely check this out, as they’ll undoubtedly be able to connect with the band’s obscure aesthetics and eerie melodic soundscapes.
https://www.stitchedupheart.org