Oh What the Future Holds
Oh What the Future Holds makes its heaviest moments stronger by building towards them carefully. Fit for an Autopsy combine low guitars and hard drums with more spacious sounds and a voice which offers more than menace. The songs have clear melodies while retaining enough force to make their heavy foundation convincing.
Far from Heaven is a strong example. Its open beginning and restrained singing give the music time before guitars and rhythm intervene more forcefully. The contrast belongs to the song rather than providing a quiet introduction which merely waits for the real music.
Pandora chooses a more direct attack. Fast, melodic guitar lines maintain its movement while the voice increases the tension. A calmer-sounding solo and a heavily accented passage each have a place. The band show how these elements can strengthen one another when the timing works.
The record also avoids staying with one kind of aggression. A Higher Level of Hate gives the drums considerable emphasis and makes the sound tighter and heavier. The long The Man That I Was Not instead creates an ending where melody and force have more room to alternate. Different vocal tones help hold its larger structure together.
Familiar stylistic elements remain audible. Anyone who dislikes slow, heavy guitar patterns and deep vocals will not suddenly change their taste because of this record. The writing still provides enough reason to keep listening. Fit for an Autopsy give careful attention to movement and contrast without losing immediate force. Oh What the Future Holds is convincing modern deathcore which uses its melodic ideas as part of the structure. Those ideas give the heavier music greater direction and character.
