SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: SILVERSTEIN – ANTIBLOOM

SILVERSTEIN
ANTIBLOOM
UNFD

Silverstein. It’s a light within the post-hardcore genre that refuses to burn out nor stay stagnant since the Burlington, ON luminaries first formed in 2000. Since then, the band has consistently churned out an album almost every two to three years, gracing them with an illustrious 11-album discography that has given them success in experimenting within and outside the aggressive walls that the band contains its roots in. 2020’s A Beautiful Place To Drown marked a significant evolution for the band, showcasing their desire to move beyond past limitations. The album successfully incorporated pop elements into a fresh, genre-bending sound, setting the stage for their subsequent work, Misery Made Me. This shift reflected the band’s commitment to creating innovative musical experiences that resonate with a wider audience while maintaining much of the songwriting techniques that have made them successful for over 25 years. Now with the band’s 12th effort, Antibloom, the first of two full-lengths releasing this year, takes eight tracks and combines the efforts of what the band had achieved over the past two and a half decades.

From the moment Antibloom launches into “Mercy, Mercy”, “Don’t Let Me Get Too Low”, and “Confession”, Silverstein effectively reconnects with their heavy roots. Presenting a compelling blend of aggressive and melodic textures, these introductory experiences illustrate the band’s adeptness at creating a vibrant atmosphere with the punchy deliverance of mosh-pit-like intensity. Within these beginning moments, it’s impressive to see how they have maintained their hardcore essence while subtly trying out new things melodically and atmospherically to reinvigorate their sound. The incorporation of ethereal elements, gritty guitar riffs, and Shane’s dynamic vocals adds a new layer of complexity, overall showing an evolution that demonstrates their commitment to growth while honoring their musical heritage.

From here, the band steps into more denuded, electro-pop territory with “A Little Fight,” a contagious dream-like experience with spots of agitated guitars that contour its pretty dulcet vocal work that segues into more familiar environments with heartrending “Skin & Bones” and thunderous moment, “I Will Destroy This”. Immersive experiences that capture Silverstein’s keen sense of establishing contrasting intense versatility within its verses with captivating effect-laden choruses, tracks like this show that while the band still keeps some of their new perspectives with experimentation from the last two albums, Silverstein proves with most of these tracks that much of their trademark style that fans have grown to love.

Antibloom ends with the remaining junctures, “Stress” continues to bring forth an excellent footnote of massive electrifying energies the band has displayed throughout before ending on a somber poignant piece, “Cherry Coke”.

Antibloom not only demonstrates that Silverstein has reawakened and is ready to explore heavier elements in their music, but it also showcases a stronger focus on lyricism. Antibloom reflects a struggle with the human condition, emphasizing the need for forgiveness of our own flaws while also addressing the darker impulses we tend to hide from others. Ultimately, the choice to show compassion for ourselves in a world that often offers none serves as the foundation of Silverstein’s latest record. If this new installment is any indication of what’s to come in the second part, it suggests that Silverstein is in a positive place this year.

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