outshine until we are dead

Released: 19 April 2010 Label: Dead Tree Music

A hard rock band from Sweden, Outshine’s second album release comes in the form of the charismatically, versatile Until We Are Dead. Combining themes of death, drinking and murder, the tracks don’t become repetitive or stale but still all keep up with their dark and aggressive metal.

The vocals are apt for the album but tend to alter for each song, moving between soft, emotional stylings and metal snarls and spits. A sign of a talented and adaptable frontman.

Ballsy, rock n’ roll tune One for the Nerves gets the album started, and keeps it on the heavier side alongside tracks like Wisconsin HG and Fortune, then it goes to the radio friendly type with Love ofr the Music (with a suspicious Linkin Park style intro) before going out in powerfully, moving style with Save Me.

The occasional lyric is a tad cheesy, ‘the love for the music keeps me hanging around’ being one guilty example, and sometimes just disturbing, ‘he drowned her scream as he raped her’ from Ain’t Life Grand, but it’s still a good album and a great effort at mixing up what could have been generic rock. Until I’m Dead, for one, is a fantastic song and, amongst others, helps the album bridge the gap between soulful and sinful.

by Talena