Betraying The Martyrs – ‘The Resilient’

At every crucial stage of their career, Betraying The Martyrs have faced mixed reception. Known more for an ambitious Disney cover than the technicality they are capable of, the Parisian outfit have struggled to be taken seriously, yet Sumerian Records continue to back them. The release of their third album, ‘The Resilient’, justifies that decision.

Opener ‘Lost For Words’ is as destructive as it gets and without doubt their best material to date. The symphonic elements are summoned better, actually haunting as intended, instead of replicating a tannoy in a Ghost Train queuing system. ‘(Dis)Connected’ is another onslaught, pulling no punches as we’re blasted as “the generation of the walking dead”, while ‘Wide Awake’ shows off a little more groove and intricacy than previously spared.

The most notable improvement is in the vocals. Aaron Matts’ inhuman growls are now sharper, clearer, and delivered with tangible venom, having ditched the robotic enhancer that split opinions on past albums. Victor Guillet’s cleans are more mature too, dropping a pitch to complement a chorus rather than overshadow it. These two changes in approach ease the transition from rough to smooth, allowing it to feel intentional rather than just necessary, and that has an invaluable impact on the whole record.

Despite being so bruising, the positive message of the album rises above. Title-track, ‘The Resilient’, needs little explanation, and ties in nicely with ‘Won’t Back Down’, a public response to the terrorist acts that have shocked, but not broken, France in recent times. Lines like “The storm is coming but we’re strong enough to hold on […] Should we be sitting with our mouths shut or be screaming as we stand up?” give voice to the solidarity and defiance that the world has shown in dark days, but suggests there is more to be done.

An album like ‘The Resilient’ has always been rattling in their locker. They threatened on the last two records but, for one reason or another, it hasn’t come off until now. In taking themselves more seriously, Betraying The Martyrs have done themselves justice.

MATT BORUCKI