Whitechapel
Kin – Metal Blade
By always being willing to push the envelope just a little Whitechapel have remained one of metalcore’s more enduring, and reliable acts. Kin, their eighth offering continues that trend with a set of songs that are familiarly fierce and at the same time adventurous. It’s important to see the sextet experiment a little and broaden their sound. It’s a natural maturing of the song writing that many knew, and hoped, would come. The softer passages fit well and the album plays through with an inviting flow. The trademark tightness is still very much present too. It’s the bedrock that Whitechapel build everything on. Phil Bozeman’s vocals are reassuringly on point too, making sure that the lyrics are driven home like they’re being shot from a nailgun. Kin is a fan pleaser, but so much more as well. It keeps Whitechapel in the ‘cool band’ zone while raising their profile across a wider church. It could be a game changer.
Review by Gary Trueman