Album review: Siamese – Elements

Have you ever heard a guitar pleasurably moan? ‘Cause you can on The Shape Of Water, the opening track to Siamese’s sixth album, Elements. We’re not entirely sure what went down in the studio when it was being recorded, but there’s a certain sound halfway between a wail and a groan emanating from the six string action.

Little brilliances like this are dusted through the record’s 10 tracks. The Danish rock outfit venture through varying musical territories here, with most explorations paying off, although with a couple of others landing a little flat. Where Vertigo’s predictable lyricism brings the excitement down a peg, a little electronic metal on Predator makes for a thumping track that's like the lovechild of Pendulum and Beartooth.

These peaks and troughs continue – a cover of Ariana Grande’s God Is A Woman resting in the album’s second half is a surprising addition, for example. Although it does feel a little late to the party since the original came out in 2018, it’s well executed and made deliciously heavy.

Closing track This Is Not A Song is perhaps the most perplexing, but also sums up the clever tack Siamese are taking. To begin with, it’s not the most selling. There’s an artificial voice, similar to that of the female American TikTok AI voice that you’ve probably heard a gazillion times on the app. What on earth is it doing here? Why is this song not a song? What is the meaning of life? It’s spiral-inducing, but it becomes apparent what Siamese are doing here.

This is a live music tool. As the band collectively shout ‘this is not a song it’s a motherfucking mosh pit,’ it’s clear as day that this is the final warning Siamese will dish out at their gigs. This is your last chance to absolutely send it before the lights come on and you question if you have ever looked more feral in your life. It’s clever, really, and a lively listening experience on record too. Delivering uber fast drumming and low blows on the fretboard, it’s quite the finale. On the other side of this album and it's winding route to get where it's going, you walk away convinced of its magic. Well played, Siamese.

Verdict: 4/5

For fans of: Architects, Beartooth, New Years Day

Elements is released on August 9 via Long Branch Records