As December Falls’ fourth album is gritted teeth and teary eyes soundtracked to growling vocals and stompy breakdowns
There’s a famous meme that springs to mind when listening to As December Falls' new album. It features a cartoon dog sitting at a table, trying to enjoy a coffee, while the house around him is in flames and a sad little speech bubble declares, “this is fine.” It pretty much sums up the entire vibe of the Nottingham alt.metal quartet's fourth release.
Everything’s On Fire But I’m Fine is one big uncomfortable grimace. It’s grin and bear it, smile and wave, roll with the punches, all that kind of horseshit people say when you’d rather not hear it. And while it arrives at a very apt time in regards to our political climate, this record is also a personal one that delves into connections gone sour, exhaustion, and anxiety.
The title-track marches in bass-driven and reflective of the trudging rhythms of overwhelm and burn out, before it collides into a vast choruses and guitar work that is subtle and effective; not rammed down your throat. For The Plot, meanwhile, documents a past, messy situationship with vocalist Bethany Hunter declaring, ‘I’m better / so much better / I’m better without you,’ with its instrumentation and attitude harking back to golden 00s pop-punk.
Bethany’s vocals carry a unique tone, and are controlled yet ferocious when they need to be, as she accents her words with a growl or two here and there. This feeling truly comes out to play on I’m No Good Alone, as she leans into vulnerability.
Everything’s On Fire But I’m Fine serves its purpose. It’s a thematically-uniformed record and an ideal listen for when you’re ready to rip your own hair out at the stupidity of others. The production feels very modern, which may not be to the taste of some, but if rageful yet cathartic release is what you need, it does what it says on the tin.
Verdict: 4/5
For fans of: Hot Milk, South Arcade, Tonight Alive
Everything’s On Fire But I’m Fine is released via ADF Records / Virgin on August 8
