As a follow-up to last year's heavy-hitting release, Revolt, Hundredth return with the forthcoming EP, Resist - a contrasting, yet complimentary outlet to the band's free-spirited melodic hardcore approach. While Revolt graced listeners with explosive tracks, like "Ruin" and "Free Mind/Open Spirit", Resist is an entirely unique entity of its own that still channels the intensity and blissful emotional appeal.
Incorporating ideals of progress and evolution into the thematic agenda of these six songs, this tranquil release starts off with the desolate interlude "Wake" that draws listeners in with its dreary undertone. As this opening instrumentally sets the stage for the remainder of the record, "Shelter" is the awaking track that provides solace through a comforting melody that complements beautifully with the aggression outlet of the band's musicianship. If you listen to closely to the possible inter-textual homage to The Smiths classic single "Still Ill", (Does the body rule the mind or does the mind rule the body?), vocalist Chadwick Johnson provides a lyrical configuration that resists the notion avoiding life's struggles as opposed to facing challenges head on. This ideal can be identified through abrasive lines like "You chose shelter over the storm/So you can still smile".
In a sense, many articulated themes that are established in Resist provide listeners with a confined revelation to not let your demons rest on your shoulders as if they are simply weighing you down. However, this distinguished incentive should merely encourage listeners to accept any self awareness of themselves as inspiration to socially progress in order to battle these flaws and insecurities.
These ideals have been perfectly articulated within the single "Demons", a reflexive track that resurrects the guidance of self-awareness through the emotionally-driven lines belted out within the opening of this song: "No one can save me from my demons/They're all around me and don't come from hell". Johnson definitely reiterates on the importance accepting this dead weight, especially within the lines "Every single one of them reminds me of myself", that is repeated throughout the entire song. While a single like "Demons" may overcompensates on the notion of "No one can save me, but myself", within the context of this underlying theme, listeners can hold onto these messages not as a crutch, but as a torch to guide to help light the way out your darkest thoughts.
As Resist comes to a close, the interluding track "Wage", is a captivating finale to end the record on a strong note, while "Manifest" blissfully captures the underlying emotion conveyed throughout this entire release. In contrast to the themes interpreted through the single "Demons", lines like "I have to reach beyond delusion to find reality" create a tense struggle that defines an unsettling crossroad that might interfere with self-progression. Differentiating between ego and spirit, Johnson conveys these conflicting attributes as lingering paths that deters from the fight for stability. The reflexive emotion expressed through the lines, "Fear is the foundation of my insecurities/The roots of my anger and hostility are despair and agony", suggests that these demons create paradox which weighs heavily on self-progress. However, through these heartfelt words, the solace that Johnson provides within the context of this song provides listeners with a relatable outlet that caters to those who constantly battle their deeper insecurities on daily basis.
Resist is surely a heartwarming follow-up to Revolt that provides listeners with a guiding spirit to overcome any hindering uncertainties that could easily weigh down the strongest hearts. As this record serves its purpose as a melodic, yet retrospective outlet, there is no doubt that each song can bring out overwhelming emotions from the album's lingering sense of intensity.
Tracklist:
1. Wake
2. Shelter
3. Resist
4. Demons
5. Manifest
6. Wage
RIYL: Controller by Misery Signals, The Difference Between Hell And Home by Counterparts, Future Revisionists by Liferuiner, That Within Blood Ill-Tempered by Shai Hulud
Rating:
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