Motionblur

The hotly anticipated debut album from Split Chain sees the British band spanning decades with a sound that filters some of the 1990s’ dominant genres through a modern sensibility. Vocalist Bert Martinez-Cowles invokes the dreamy delivery of Deftones’ Chino Moreno—but with lyrics about toxic households, impostor syndrome, and living life on your own terms. Meanwhile, drummer Aaron Black, bassist Tom Davies, and guitarists Ollie Bowles and Jake Reid weave heavy shoegaze magic on “bored. Tired. Torn.” and early single “I’m Not Dying to Be Here.” Later, “Subside” trades in smoothed-edge nu metal, while “Who Am I?” builds on the impassioned themes of post-hardcore and Y2K emo.

Bristol hardcore newcomers Split Chain’s debut is a brilliant blur that endlessly spins the fresh from the familiar.

Tom Bruce reviews the debut album by Bristol newcomers Split Chain! Read the review of 'motionblur' here on Distorted Sound!