It brings a warm feeling to my heart when brothers reunite, as is the case with the Bonnette brothers from As Cities Burn. When T.J left the band in 2006, they soldiered on but there was something missing. A whole decade has passed since they last released anything, but now with TJ back in the fold, the post hardcore heroes are hopefully firing on all cylinders once more with the release of “Scream Through The Walls”
If you need convincing that they are back and on form, then opening track “Convinced” will leave you just that. The familiar clean/shouty combo from the brothers is back from the off and the will to push boundaries is more evident than ever. Last year’s single “2020Ad is an absolutely gorgeous chunk of progressive post hardcore that will long stay in the memory.”Hollowed Out” is a slower affair dominated by Cody’s clean style, with the guitars peeling off the vocal line. Drummer Aaron Lunsford takes centre stage in “Maybe” with some frenetic hi hat work leading the line as the brothers take stock of just how far they’ve come before “Chains” ropes us back in for some classic ACB action. Clearly they are leaving the very best until last, as the mood changes somewhat for the sombre synth led “Blind Spots” a true highlight of this album, which wouldn’t sound out of place on a David Lynch soundtrack and highlights once again, that they are a band that are always willing to push the envelope. The theme picks up slightly with “Venture” which feels like a natural progression from the previous track, packed with fury and big guitars and then building to a wall of sound finale we have “Die Contrary” rounding off the album in style.
Concerned fans who were worries about tainting past glories, need not be concerned at all. 2019 has found these boys revitalised and in fine form. Every bit as good as the debut album “Son, I Loved You At Your Darkest,” As Cities have returned in style.