I’ve noticed that a lot of my favorite albums this year can be described with one word: fun. I’ve been trying to understand why, and I think it’s driven by a desire to return to the type of metalcore I grew up with. Back in the early 2010’s, metalcore used to be fun. We had bands like That’s Outrageous, Casino Madrid, Ten After Two, and From Atlantis – all of which have fewer than 10,000 monthly listeners these days, but those were formative bands for me. They showed that heavy music could have personality and sometimes be a little weird. If you need a more popular example, think of Attack Attack!’s self-titled album from 2010 – “Shut Your Mouth” and “Fumbles O’Brian” were pretty far out there, but they worked.
We lost that quirkiness somewhere along the way. Now, even with all the attention I pay to heavy music, it can be hard to tell new bands apart. They follow the same trends, they scream the same way, they have the same sterile “production,” and there’s little else to latch onto. So when I post my album of the year list in December and you wonder why Windwaker, Galleons, Eidola, and Bring Me The Horizon are ranked so highly, it’s because they’re fun.
I hadn’t heard of Windwaker before this year, but from what I can tell, their discography is solid. They started with a pretty typical metalcore sound and began to incorporate more pop and post hardcore elements over time. Those two additions really helped showcase their personality and diversify their sound. The more emotional, post hardcore style singing on their 2022 album was a huge evolution. I still need to give it a proper listen, but “Trenches” and “Superstitious Fantasy” really impressed me.
Shifting to today, ‘Hyperviolence’ is the culmination of lessons learned. Windwaker fully embraced hyper-pop, which you can hear on “Infinity,” and pulled off a convincing “street” feel. Stylistically, there are definitely some similarities to Avoid and Banks Arcade, two other hip, youthful bands that have diverse songs with a lot of energy.
Most importantly, this album is personable. The band’s identity shines through so clearly that I feel like I know the members. Don’t come in with a certain set of expectations – let Windwaker show you who they are.
Each song has its own distinct sound so I’ll focus on my favorites. “Sirens” is the highlight for me. The chorus is insanely catchy, there’s a good mix of screams, and it’s full of life. Easily one of my favorite songs of the year.
“Break The Rules” is another high point. The hyper-pop elements and urban style give it an underground type of energy. I’m not even sure what that means, but it’s how it makes me feel. The bad boy, carefree lyrics are juvenile but kind of nostalgic. Like listening to pop punk and reminiscing about high school.
“Venom” might be my most controversial pick, but it keeps growing on me. It’s undoubtedly a good time and that’s what this whole review is about. The rap parts flow really well, the singing is on point, and the drops are a blast.
“Hypnotised” is sensual. “The Wall” is dark and heavy. “Villain” effectively contrasts melody and dissonance. “Fractured State of Mind” combines chaos and an upbeat chorus.
It’s impossible to accurately portray the range of this album, especially when so few bands are doing anything like this. It’s like trying to describe Don Broco to someone – each song is its own adventure. Give ‘Hyperviolence’ a listen and see for yourself. It would be hard to believe that a fan of heavy music can’t find something they enjoy here. Or maybe you just hate fun.
Windwaker // Hyperviolence
Categories: Reviews
