If release consistency is what you’re looking for in a creative band that always pumps out core crunchy tunes, then you should know it’s that time every couple years where Of Mice & Men grace us with another album. Continuing to define their melodic/clean side of their sound while the heavy intensity of their past still remains, 'Warpaint' has been birthed.
“A New Era Begins… Ready your Warpaint”, Of Mice & Men taunt on their social media in prep for the bone breaking single. Last time we heard from California metalcore lads, they delivered 3 EPs led by Timeless and Bloom and fused a third - Ad Infinitum, to create 2021’s COVID LP Christmas present Echo.
Getting ready for battle, immediately 'Warpaint' gets a headshot with its insanely hard, throw-down, guitar intro riff with an octave/wah-wah effect on the lead as it fades in and out of the rhythm with shire intensity. Still to be filtered through by the purity of clean sound they lend the lead with makes for a more sombre but motivational verse.
As Aaron Paul puts his hand in the air to begin the charge we are struck with arrows from the catchy, melodic chorus that brings us back to a tidal wave of a second verse, appearing rougher and more aggressive as the song goes. The fear sets in all around you, duck for cover, the BREAKDOWN is here. Lyrics pinching at the premise to never give up, the drums carry the chuggy 00’s with fills faster than a semi-automatic.
Their upcoming eight studio album Tether will be delivered via Sharptone Records on October 6th and when speaking about the record, they share:
“With this one, we weren’t really focused on how it sounded as much as we focused on how it felt... And that's a weird thing to do when all you're working with is sound. But that was really the goal. And we walked away from making it, feeling like we've accomplished that."
Words by Ed Atlas@yourfavouritemerchguy
Stream 'Warpaint' here
Pre-save/order Tether here
Of Mice & Men - Tether tracklisting
1. Integration
2. Warpaint
3. Shiver
4. Eternal Pessimist
5. Into The Sun
6. Enraptured
7. Castaway
8. Tether
9. Indigo
10. Zephyros
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M44-7m-DTwI&pp=ygUWb2YgbWljZSAmIG1lbiB3YXJwYWludA%3D%3D
