Pushing Boundaries in the Best Way Possible
Album Review: Hyperviolence by Windwaker
CONTIBUTING AUTHOR Kim
From the first track of Hyperviolence, Windwaker encapsulates the “hyperpop-metal” sound with their blend of metal, pop, hip hop, and EDM. It's somewhat hard to isolate which genre takes the lead; they take each one, put them in a shaker, and what you’re left with is a gorgeous yet chaotic blend of elements.. With catchy pop choruses, breathy rap interludes, and epic gutturals, this album has it all. If you’re a purist, proceed with an open mind on this one. It truly takes a second listen for this album to resonate and be appreciated for what it is.
The album starts strong in the first half, with standouts “Fractured State of Mind”, “Get Out”, and “Villain”. A heavy dose of electronics and screams set the stage in Fractured, then transition to a clean chorus. There is no time to process the unadulterated beauty in Liam Guinane’s highs before you’re slapped in the face with some Corpse-like rap. The transition in this song gives you a taste of the controlled chaos that is scattered throughout the entire album.
“Villain”, one of the heaviest hitting songs lyrically, is also one of the catchiest. With lyrics like, “You pay more than you owe / But I can’t watch you go”, and the two second chef’s kiss pause prior to the first chorus, this is easily one of the best songs on the album.
An impressive breakdown, with the lyrics “What the fuck is on your mind / This is a call for the undenied”, is the most notable moment in “Get Out”. This track has a rap ending that wasn’t altogether needed but nonetheless on brand with previous tracks.
The slower pace of the second half of the record incorporates the band’s pop/electronic influences with the track “Haunting Me”. The listener gets an excellent chance to hear the intricacies of Liam’s voice - even though a bit nasally on the highs at times, his range doesn’t disappoint. “Venom”, a blend of hip hop mixed with a few Falling in Reverse callbacks, has a funky summer vibe that is all over the place in the most delicious way imaginable.
Bringing the album to a close, “Juliet” brings the listener back down from the mayhem of the previous 12 tracks with a slow fade ending. The dreamlike instrumentals and poignant lyrics are a fitting way to end their sophomore album.
Hyperviolence combines genres from across modern music to push the traditional style boundaries of “metal” as far as they can possibly go. The inherent whiplash of the what the fuck am I listening to? vibe inescapably adds to the allure and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. With catchy choruses, a unique blend of genres, and a brazen attitude of doing things their way, Windwaker should definitely be on the radar of every nu-metal fan.
