Review: Luke Petty
For years, Bury Tomorrow has stood as a formidable force in British heavy music. Their 2023 album, The Seventh Sun, signaled a significant resurgence for the Southampton-based band. Emerging from a period of turbulence that included a key lineup change, the album was hailed by many as a powerful reset, injecting new life into their sound and heralding an exciting new era.
Opening track “To Dream To Forget” explodes with the band’s signature intensity, showcasing some of Bury Tomorrow‘s most blistering guitar riffs yet. However, the track falters slightly in its vocal delivery—a surprising misstep, considering the apparent strides made on The Seventh Sun.
The introduction of Tom Prendergast, following the departure of Jason Cameron, brought about a noticeable shift in vocal dynamics. While Cameron‘s lower register was a defining characteristic, Prendergast‘s more controlled mid-range initially proved a welcome change for this listener. Yet, on this particular track, that novelty seems to wane, as the vocal performance doesn’t quite capture the raw energy unleashed by the instrumental fury.
Despite the minor stumble on the opening track, frontman Dani Winter-Bates immediately reasserts his dominance, delivering a vocal performance that arguably surpasses even his previous heights. The lead single and second track, “Villain Arc,” serves as a potent testament to this evolution. Here, Winter-Bates unleashes a torrent of guttural screams that rank among the most ferocious and visceral in Bury Tomorrow‘s entire catalog.
Beyond the vocal onslaught, the track pulsates with some of the album’s most infectious and pit-inducing riffs, expertly interwoven with dynamic rhythmic shifts that keep the composition engaging and unpredictable. “Villain Arc” not only recovers any lost ground but firmly establishes the album’s intense and compelling trajectory.
While Will You Haunt Me, With That Same Patience doesn’t drastically redefine Bury Tomorrow‘s sonic blueprint—opting instead for a nuanced refinement of their established style—it does introduce a couple of curious deviations that momentarily disrupt the album’s flow.
The final moments of “Wasteland,” for instance, incorporate unexpected lo-fi trap elements, an inclusion that feels somewhat out of place and tonally disconnected from the preceding aggression. Similarly, “What If I Burn” features a swing-infused, almost rap-like verse that, while not entirely unsuccessful, feels like a jarring detour. However, this track quickly recovers, boasting arguably the album’s most powerful and anthemic chorus, where Prendergast briefly reignites the electrifying energy reminiscent of The Seventh Sun.
Despite this momentary stylistic left turn, “What If I Burn” remains a personal highlight, aligning with my preference for Bury Tomorrow‘s more introspective and melodic compositions, echoing the emotive resonance of tracks like “The Carcass King.”
The bulk of Will You Haunt Me, With That Same Patience navigates a familiar yet polished landscape, straddling the established aggression of Cannibal and the more restrained melodic metalcore of The Seventh Sun. Tracks such as “Forever the Night” and “Waiting” deliver satisfying choruses layered over a well-crafted blend of heavy, chugging riffs and melodic guitar work.
“Silence Isn’t Helping Us” injects a welcome dose of flair with a memorable guitar solo in its latter half. “Found No Throne” provides a breather with a vocally focused interlude, further exploring the band’s more vulnerable side before diving back into their signature sound with the intriguing “Yōkai.” While each track possesses its own merits, the album unfortunately suffers from a degree of sonic homogeneity as it progresses.
Initial listens left many tracks feeling indistinct, with “What If I Burn” and “Found No Throne” standing out primarily due to their exploration of the band’s more emotionally charged territory—a facet that resonates particularly strongly. Consequently, Will You Haunt Me, With That Same Patience ultimately feels a touch overlong, its impact diminishing slightly as it approaches its conclusion.
Despite any lingering reservations, “Paradox” arrives as a triumphant closer, hitting with undeniable force. This final track effectively distills the band’s strongest elements into a concise and impactful four-and-a-half-minute burst—substantial enough to leave a lasting impression, yet succinct enough to avoid fatigue. While “Paradox” provides a satisfying conclusion, a subtle sense of diminished overall impact persists.
Perhaps my musical inclinations have evolved beyond the specific territory Bury Tomorrow explores here, or maybe the peaks simply don’t reach the dizzying heights of their past triumphs. Only time and repeated immersion will offer a definitive answer.
Ultimately, Will You Haunt Me, With That Same Patience, while not a weak offering by any stretch and certainly worth the attention of dedicated fans, doesn’t quite eclipse the achievements of its predecessor. Those who remained unconvinced by Tom Prendergast‘s vocal approach on previous outings are unlikely to find a significant shift here. Nevertheless, the album stands as a respectable entry in Bury Tomorrow‘s discography, even if its placement within their timeline feels somewhat overshadowed by past glories.
Bury Tomorrow – Will You Haunt Me, With That Same Patience is out now
Order here:
https://burytomorrow.lnk.to/WillYouStillHauntMeWithThatSamePatience
