The Funeral Portrait Make Waves In The Stagnant Waters Of Metalcore In "A Moment Of Silence"

Metalcore can be good if executed well. Nine times out of ten, metalcore bands tend to be one of several things: a wannabe Bring Me The Horizon ripoff, a wannabe Linkin Park ripoff, or a band that has the same garbage emo-metalcore style of the genre that literally every other band has. The waters of this genre are growing stagnant.

The Funeral Portrait are out to change that. Their sophomore record A Moment Of Silence looks to make waves in the stagnant waters of metalcore, combining a plethora of refreshing elements and making truly catchy songs that don't feature the same melodies and styles you've already heard hundreds of times before.

Things might not seem that way when title track 'A Moment Of Silence' opens the record, its creepy guitar intro leading into some admittedly gross, wet screams, but things immediately perk up. Maybe they were going for that misleading vibe. 'The Water Obeyed The Gravity' brings the album in full force, giant guitar riffs reminiscent of Dream Theater sounding powerfully, though vocalist Lee Jennings' voice is what really adds an elements of power to the track. His vocals add an epic high, emotional, and melodic contrast to the album's oftentimes grueling and heavy instrumentals, also seen in 'Save Yourself' with its evil ending being led up to by a great progression and build.

Big riffs make this album huge, while the choruses are sparsed with mid-2000s alternative rock melodies. That can simply be nothing but infectious. 'Fate Connector' brings a tighter focus on the heavier elements of the record, strong riffs chugging under Jennings' constantly changing tones, bouncing between faraway melodies and strong screams. The heavy moments on this record can be true freight trains. Going through 'Double Helix,' you are faced with an admittedly average (yet good) track for the record, but then the breakdown hits and it's so intense that you feel your computer might break. 'Appeal To Reason' kicks off with massive energy, but hits a different kind of evil energy when the bridge kicks in.

The alternative rock vibes hit a high in 'Cerulean,' the song immediately kicking in with huge energy, the pre-choruses mysteriously driving before kicking in to the massive choruses with Muse-esque synths backing them. The song's sweetness transitions into violent and urgent riffs in the bridge, taking the song out on a dark note. 'To Whom It May Concern' also has a sense of alt. rock goodness to it, the chugging powerchords in the choruses driving it forward as guitar riffs akin to Thrice ring in the background. The album ends with 'Guilltone,' channeling all of what shined through the cracks on the record: the beginning sees powerful, punchy riffs that lead into massive choruses. The bridge evolves into a very progressive vibe, the urgency of the riffs kicking back in before synths and Jennings' huge vocals take the song out on a high note.

The Funeral Portrait had a conviction on this record, and they saw it all the way through. A Moment Of Silence makes waves in the stagnant waters of metalcore, providing a fresh and optimistic outlook on what could become of the genre in the new year. It's not the same stuff you've heard before - well, it is, but in such a way that sounds new and revitalizing. It's not so much a copy as it is having influences and making something that brings them together. That's where the misconception has been lying in the genre.

Favorite Tracks: Cerulean, Appeal To Reason, Guillotine

Least Favorite Track: A Moment Of Silence

Rating: 79 / 100

Buy or listen to A Moment Of Silence here: