Conspire – ‘The Scenic Route’

Florida quintet Conspire have been likened to melodic hardcore heavyweights Being As An Ocean, the alternative rock of Balance and Composure, and the post-hardcore beauty of Touché Amore. And with the release of their stunning album ‘The Scenic Route’, it’s easy to see why – they capture the moving and emotional nature of humanity, and combine it with speed, aggression, and meticulous riffs.

‘1971’ is a stunning opening track – guttural vocals breathe life into the moving, emotional lyrics, “What you know doesn’t have to burn you away / Everything you chose not to feel is gonna find you someday / Or could my ghost unlearn everything? / Could my ghost unlearn everything?” It’s a powerful track, and “is about learning lessons from humanity’s low points,” vocalist Parker Armstrong has previously explained.

The musicianship throughout the course of ‘The Scenic Route’ is incredibly tight from start to end. Huge slabs of emotive power combine with full-blooded riffs to create colossal tracks such as ‘Captive Son’, whist monolithic drum work creates a solid structure during ‘Worth Waking’. ‘Congruency’ is absolutely heart breaking – lyrics of “It’s so easy to say that you love something then throw it aside / don’t throw me aside” are touching and personable, making it easy to relate to such bruising words. ‘Thousand Oaks’ and ‘Row’, the latter of which features guest vocals from Ricky Armellino, are two truly outstanding tracks: chugging riffs, a fast and furious tempo, and the simply awe-inspiring vocals from frontman Parker Armstrong make them huge in their own right. It’s not difficult to envisage these tracks being sung back from gusto and every fibre of being at shows.

In ‘The Scenic Route’, Conspire has created an album that they can be very, very proud of. It’s an absolute work of art and will see them play alongside the likes of Touché Amore and Balance and Composure in due time.

JESS TAGLIANI