The Word Alive – Hard Reset (Album Review)
The Word Alive – Hard Reset
Released: August 25, 2023
Lineup
Telle Smith // Lead Vocals
Zack Hansen // Guitars & Backing Vocals
Daniel Nelson // Drums
Jose DelRio // Guitars & Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Online
The core duo of Zack Hansen and Telle Smith have endured a lot these past few years: the exit of long-time guitarist Tony Pizzuti and drummer Matt Horn, a label change from Fearless to Thriller Records, entering their last album cycle during a time of global sickness and uncertainty… But Hard Reset is a moment of clarity–an entire album’s worth, in fact.
Calling out to the band’s past and present, this record – captured with producer Hiram Hernandez – feels fresh and exhilarating. The focus on catchy, low-end riffs mixed with Telle’s incredible vocal performance makes for a thriller of an album. The merging of melody and metal feels natural, spontaneous, and always a little unpredictable; autotune and ambience point to space rockers like STARSET, while more traditional textures reinstate this ensemble as masters of metalcore. Solidified by Daniel Nelson and Jose DelRio, the 2023 lineup comes across as extremely fierce and focused, here to deliver some serious damage.
Preceded by five singles eventually bundled into the Hate Me EP, the marketing campaign for this highly-anticipated return was one to remember. But now, having the full story, it seems like fans are back at the beginning, eager to dig in with fresh ears!
To be blunt, skip the first tune ‘The Word Alive Is Dead…‘ With an edgy title and ‘battle of the bands’ kinda energy, it does the rest of this amazing effort a disservice… Leaving it in the dust, the following songs are a strong blend of electronic, melodic, and extreme influences. On ‘One of Us‘ (feat Bad Omens), an absolute all-star track, there’s a subtle sense of gloom that creeps in, a reminder of the scars that still sting. Noah Sebastian enters the arena, offering beauty and brutality, razing everything around him. Like so much of this record, ‘One of Us‘ is anchored by a deep, churning guitar riff with titanium tone. ‘New Reality‘ glows; an earworm that instantly burrows deep; “Welcome to your new reality!” Telle croons, surfing over the wavy instrumental. On ‘Fade Away,’ Escape the Fate frontman Craig Mabbitt reunites with his old side project, diving down a post-hardcore rabbit hole. ‘Invisible Army’ storms ahead, a dynamic blend of punctual, syncopated hits; pounding drums; and reckless rage–a battlecry!
So, the elephant in the room, right? Long-time fans are certainly wondering where and when this goldmine of features was dug up? Dating all the way back to their full-length debut, Deceiver (2010), TWA has tended to shirk the trend of constant collaboration, not usually inclined to pepper guests onto every other release… “I miss the days of the scene when it felt so collaborative” laments Smith, however, speaking on Rock Sound’s ‘The Album Story’ series back in June… And he meant it: boasting additional collaboration with scene superstars like Loveless, legends (From First to Last), and a dark horse in Normandie, community and connection permeate the entire record.
Touching on tunes like ‘A New Empty’ or ‘Static Rain,’ these titles unfortunately don’t leave a lasting impression; circular and audibly tired, the kinds of static songs that don’t swing too high or too low–always seem to run the risk of stalling out…
Stitching this record together, piercing the skin of every song – is a markedly modern ‘sheen,’ an unspoken lustre that dances and dazzles. You can taste the urgency in the high tenor vocals; the crisp, tightrope mix; and unexpected punk tantrums. Leaning into their radio rock/pop-ready tendencies, I have no problem admitting that at times, the decorative style of production that comes with this territory can feel quite chaotic: pockets of warbling autotune, novel samples, and hazy, opium verses–felt a bit scattered. In the heat of the moment, I really wanted to hear nothing but the unadulterated four-piece metal band burning at the centre. And yet, overwhelmingly, Hard Reset came across as open, spacious, and free.. two wide eyes gazing out at limitless possibility!
Making a statement after three and a half years away, Hard Reset leaves no doubts and a trail of destruction. Musically monumental and bursting with life, The Word Alive live up to their name like never before!
The Word Alive – Hard Reset tracklisting
1. The Word Alive Is Dead…
2. Hard Reset
3. Strange Love
4. One Of Us (feat. Bad Omens)
5. New Reality
6. Hate Me (feat. Loveless)
7. Slow Burn
8. Fade Away (feat. Escape The Fate)
9. A New Empty (feat. Philip Strand)
10. Static Rain
11. Invisible Army
12. Nocturnal Future
13. War With You (feat. From First To Last)
Rating: 8/10
Hard Reset is available worldwide on August 25th via Thriller Records. Pre-Order here
Review by Thomas Hiscock
