“Self Hell” by While She Sleeps is a vivid and daring leap into the depths of musical experimentation and band evolution. Released in 2024, this album marks the British metalcore ensemble’s sixth studio venture, showcasing a striking departure from their earlier works. Each track is a labyrinth of genres, blending metalcore’s intensity with surprising elements of pop, electronica, and even hints of brit-pop, showcasing the band’s fearless approach to music.
The album kicks off with a cinematic introduction in “Peace of Mind,” setting a dramatic tone that immediately captures the listener’s attention. The following track, “Leave Me Alone,” bursts into an energetic riff that perfectly embodies the band’s genre-blending ethos, featuring trance-like synths and tight guitar work reminiscent of the 90s’ best. It’s a blend that’s both nostalgic and refreshingly modern. “Rainbows” further exemplifies While She Sleeps‘ ability to fuse genres, marrying classical influences with a metalcore backbone to create something both grandiose and accessible.
Tracks like “Wildfire” and “Dopesick (feat. Fin Power)” stand out for their ability to navigate between pop-punk vivacity and the more somber, ambient tones, demonstrating the band’s dynamic range and deep understanding of musical emotion. Meanwhile, collaborations with artists such as Alex Malevolence on “Down” and Aether on “No Feeling Is Final” highlight the band’s community spirit and willingness to push their sound into new territories, enriching the album’s diversity.
Lyrically, “Self Hell” traverses a broad emotional landscape, reflecting on personal turmoil, societal pressures, and the quest for self-understanding. The album’s title, a play on the concept of self-help, cleverly encapsulates its thematic exploration of navigating through one’s personal darkness to find light. The accompanying artwork, featuring the band’s emblem behind shattered glass, serves as a powerful metaphor for the album’s exploration of fragility and resilience.
While She Sleeps‘ dedication to pushing boundaries is evident in their approach to this album, blending a myriad of influences into a cohesive and compelling whole. The band’s ability to maintain their core identity while exploring new sonic territories is commendable, making “Self Hell” a testament to their artistic growth and ambition.
With “Self Hell,” While She Sleeps doesn’t just create music; they craft a multi-faceted auditory experience that challenges and delights in equal measure. The album is a celebration of evolution, both of the band and the genre they inhabit, proving that they are not afraid to explore the unknown. In doing so, they have delivered an album that is as complex as it is captivating, earning a solid 9 out of 10. “Self Hell” is not just a musical journey but an invitation to explore the depths of one’s own experiences, making it a crucial listen for fans and newcomers alike.
SELF HELL’ the new album from While She Sleeps, out March 29th 2024: https://WhileSheSleeps.lnk.to/SELFHELLID
TRACKLIST:
01 PEACE OF MIND 1:21
02 LEAVE ME ALONE 3:36
03 RAINBOWS 4:23
04 SELF HELL 4:40
05 WILDFIRE 3:06
06 NO FEELING IS FINAL (Feat. Aether) 3:13
07 DOPESICK (Feat. Fin Power) 4:29
08 DOWN (Feat. Alex Taylor of Malevolence) 3:55
09 TO THE FLOWERS 5:05
10 OUT OF THE BLUE 3:01
11 ENEMY MENTALITY 4:14
12 RADICAL HATRED RADICAL LOVE 4:04
The album was produced by their long-term collaborator Carl Bown and the band’s guitarist, Sean Long. While She Sleeps – completed by Lawrence ‘Loz’ Taylor (vocals), Mat Welsh (guitar), Aaran Mckenzie (bass) and Adam Savage (drums) – recorded the album during sessions at Metropolis Studios in London, Treehouse Studio in Chesterfield, and their own Six Audio in Sheffield.
