Merging the so-called Post-Hardcore with electronic layers and build-ups with influences from Trance and House seems to be the most fashionable recipe lately for a new generation of headbangers growing up on bands such as Linkin Park. I’m not a huge fan of this new trends, but definitively there are a few excellent bands. And I See Stars are definitively much better then 8 out of 10 of these bands.
“Digital Renegade” (stylized as [digital_renegade]) is the third studio album by the band formed in 2006, in Warren, Michigan. Their debut album entitled “3-D”, released in 2009 and featured a guest appearance from Bizzy Bone of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, has peaked at #176 on the Billboard 200. It was followed by “The End of the World Party” released in 2011.
“Digital Renegade” was released on March 13, 2012 and this time the boys take their music on a much aggressive, abrasive way, the grinding Metal rooted elements are overwhelming the electronic-melodic moments.
Ten tracks, two guest appearances by Danny Worsnop of Asking Alexandria and Cassadee Pope of Hey Monday, “Digital Renegade” is an excellent mixture of high energy electronics and melodious build-ups with grinding to the ground Metal massacres.
Lead vocalist, Devin Oliver, made the following statement: “It’s going to be heavier, but still with that pop rock element. It’s going to be more electronic driven. I love everything about electronic music. I think that as we progress, the amount of electronica in our music is going to increase.”
And I See Stars seems to find the perfect balance between this – not so long ago – diametrically opposed directions. It’s something absolutely catchy in their music, they know to put the most efficient hooks into it, have an excellent groove and dynamic and merge the genres smoothly, naturally – and not at least, it’s sounds mind blowing.
And this is the music of a brand new generation, we better get used to it.
Tracklist:
01 – Gnars Attacks
02 – NZT48
03 – Digital Renegade
04 – Endless Sky (ft. Danny Worsnop)
05 – Underneath Every Smile
06 – Mystery Wall
07 – iBelieve
08 – Summer Died In Connersville
09 – Electric Forest (ft. Cassadee Pope)
10 – Filth Friends Unite
I See Stars – Official Site
I See Stars @ Facebook
I See Stars @ Twitter
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teJV2esrZQU&w=545&h=307]
