Buckle up, folks! Bury Tomorrow's "Portraits" is the sonic explosion that stepped onto the scene in October 2009, proving yet again that metalcore isn't just music—it's a hammer of cultural vitality. Formed in Southampton, England, this explosive quintet set the stage ablaze with tales of struggle and redemption. Unlike your average flash-in-the-pan pop album, "Portraits" doesn’t hold back on perspective or passion, each track a testament to the enduring spirit of those who refuse to kneel before the whims of cultural Marxism masquerading as 'progress'. It's raw, it's unapologetic, and it's exactly what we need in a world gone soft.
Set your Spotify to "Portraits", and prepare to be met with a relentless barrage of guitar riffs and thunderous drums that refuse to be background noise. Produced in a time when the world wasn’t yet drowned in auto-tuned nonsense, this album is a reminder of the power behind real instruments. Bury Tomorrow crafted an ode to individuality and resilience, ideals that shouldn't be wrung out in the washing machine cycles of today's so-called progressive agenda.
Front and center of the album is "Her Bones in the Sand", which grinds into high gear with Danny Winter-Bates’ vocals that growl with the defiant rage of someone who's had enough of the status quo. It’s not just an opening track; it’s a call to arms. The band's ability to blend haunting, melodic interludes with heavy breakdowns reflects not just their technical prowess but their dedication to conveying a message in a world that often feels devoid of substance.
Then comes "You & I", an epic ode to connections and standing firm amidst chaos. It's not just a song; it's an anthem for those who build bridges while others burn them down. Ironically, it's a perfect narrative against the constant division stirred by mainstream media's liberal agenda. The balance of clean and unclean vocals, a hallmark for Bury Tomorrow, symbolizes the duality of finding unity in discord—a stark contrast to the division propagated by those too wrapped in their own ideological echo chambers.
Another gem, "Anything With Teeth", bites both literally and figuratively. This track doesn’t pander; it provokes, with lyrics that cut like a blade through the political correctness that suffocates genuine art in today's music industry. It challenges the listener to fight against complacency, to break free from a world obsessed with 'safe spaces' where contrasting opinions are regarded with disdain and scorn.
Night prowls on with "Portraits", a track that unravels the complexities of identity—a profound topic now twisted under the guise of inclusivity, as some attempt to paint us all with the same brush. Bury Tomorrow's take celebrates the mosaic nature of humanity, acknowledging that differences should enrich rather than divide, reminding us that true strength lies in maintaining one's unique identity amidst external pressures to conform.
A standout moment comes in "Swansong", where the guitar solos scream with such conviction that they all but issue a battle cry for free expression—the sort we could use more of, as universities nationwide attempt to shutter conversations and censor thoughts. Bury Tomorrow isn’t content with simply toeing the line; they've bulldozed right past it, proving once more that real rebels have riffs and not keyboards.
The album closes with "Relief"—a track teeming with hopeful defiance. It’s a potent reminder that amidst challenges and collective sighs, there’s always an end worth fighting toward. This cadence of chaos neatly binds the album's lingering message: true growth emerges from conflict, not compliance.
While the world clamors for pop tunes and banal lyrics, Bury Tomorrow dives headfirst into the raw and real, taking on society's delusions with honest, impassioned art. "Portraits" doesn’t negotiate; it demands. It’s an album that energizes, inspires, and unapologetically positions itself at the helm of true artistic expression, away from the cacophony that dominates the mass-produced soundscapes of contemporary music. This isn't just an album; it's a movement, a defiant roar against the dying of authenticity.
For those tired of the noise from mainstream music, "Portraits" offers a sanctuary of substance and skill. In the end, if Bury Tomorrow’s 2009 masterpiece does anything, it reminds us not just what music can achieve when unshackled from the chains of industry mediocrity, but what happens when an art form remains loyal to itself rather than to the tides of transient trends.