Since Palisades first arrived to the post hardcore scene, they’ve always been evolving. After going through a lineup change that put former bassist Brandon Elgar as their new lead singer, many were excited to see the new direction the band was going. And they did not disappoint. Reaching Hypercritical showcases a newer sound for Palisades with topics that resonates with so many people overall. From overcoming grief to discussing mental health hardships, the band does not shy away from deeper content.
Reaching Hypercritical opens with My Consequences, a song with a nu-metal sound that was present throughout. With the subject matter being having your demons take over you, it was a powerful opening track that captured my attention immediately. The song transitions to the title track Reaching Hypercritical which is an uplifting turn from the previous song. With vocals that put you in mind of the late great Linkin Park lead vocalist Chester Bennington, the next few songs deliver melodies backed with amazing riffs. A theme that appeared throughout was the assurance that you are not alone in your struggles. Better, one of the singles from the album, finds Elgar pleading to be ridden of his personal demons.
The album does not lose momentum as it enters its second half. Songs like Fray and Sick of the Attitude have amazing and hardcore mosh-worthy riffs. However, they do switch it up by the last track titled Closure. The song has electronica undertones, which is a bit different from the other songs on the album. It felt like the last little cherry on top of an amazing album. As the album came to a close, I realized that there was not one dull moment. Palisades kept the perfect balance between serious topics and songs you would just want to mosh to. Reaching Hypercritical is an album that’s enjoyable from beginning to end and should be in everyone’s listening queue.
