There’s a lot happening in the world right now so it’s great to have perspective. Sure, you can be bummed that a particular show isn’t happening or a movie isn’t coming out this year, or some sporting event is postponed but through perseverance we’ll get through this and some semblance of normalcy will return. Shows will happen again. Movie theaters will reopen. Sports will do sports in some big sports arena. Because in the immortal words of Ian Malcolm: “Life finds a way”
One of things I was bummed about was the cancellation of a brief reunion of local legends The Receiving End Of Sirens in May for two Boston stops but hearing Stay Inside gives me hope that a newer band has taken up the TREOS mantle and will keep their legacy alive when venues reopen for live music eventually.
But I digress.
Probably the most appropriately named band EVER right now, Stay Inside offer up a contactless solution to that perennial frown you’ve got going on with ten tracks of emotive Post-Hardcore Rawk that starts with the gorgeous “Revisionist”. With a guitar sound that’s reminiscent of a warning siren going off, the track adds elements of Codeseven and an underlying heft like Thrice (Think Vehissou) to the already mentioned TREOS as it goes through a veritable rollercoaster of emotional aural delight.
“Void” is a modern Post-Hardcore masterpiece with Bryn Nieboer’s low end contrasting her angst-ridden screams in such a cathartic way while the two Chris’s (Lawless and Johns) and drummer Vishnu Anantha offer up a bevy of varying vocal accompaniments to create a unique sonic palette. “Ivy” rawks hard and often while Nieboer takes center stage once again on “Monuments”.
“Silt” brings old Thrice to mind with the heavy ass screaming to start while this stirring guitar line from Lawless leads to a playful yet intricate merging of guitar, bass, and drums for a caustic clamor. “Divide” is a burgeoning, glistening largely instrumental number and “Wake” is an exercise in beautiful vocal harmonies amidst a somber tone.
“Veil” traverses the fine line of a manic breakdown conveyed by the tumultuous torrent of guitar and bass sounds propelled deeper into the madness abyss by pained screams and Anantha’s pummeling. “Verdict” keeps that heightened sense of sonic scariness alive before the acoustic-driven “Leave” brings a quiet and introspective end to an explosive, incendiary debut.
Viewing is out on April 10th through No Sleep Records. Pre-orders are up now and can be viewed by clicking here. For more on Stay Inside, including where you can see them live in the future, follow the trail of socials by clicking here, here, or here.