On Oct. 30, experimental rock band Bring Me The Horizon released their nine track EP, “Post Human: Survival Horror,” a powerful collection of aggressive cyber punk tracks, majorly inspired by the chaos of 2020.
Prior to its release, the band shared several singles including “Ludens,” which remains one of the strongest on the project, “Parasite Eve,” an interesting anthem with an intense buildup, “Obey,” a sarcastic collaboration with YUNGBLUD and “Teardrops,” which is currently the top streaming song on the band’s Spotify page. All four songs are great and “Ludens” and “Teardrops” are especially impressive for the masterful way in which they mix hard rock metal energy with impossibly catchy hooks. “Parasite Eve” is a little too long and intense for casual listening, but it sounds better in the context of the whole EP. “Obey (feat. YUNGBLUD)” fits the project nicely, but gets quite irritating with repeated listens.
The remaining five songs on the EP are mostly successful. The introductory track, “Dear Diary,” is a shameless nu-metal track, which jumps into the action without warning. Oliver Sykes’s screamo vocals set the tone for the rest of the song, so it may not be the type of song you can listen to individually. Three singles follow “Dear Diary,” and then, comes the electro-metal interlude “Itch For The Cure (When Will We Be Free?).” It’s a fine transition in the center of the EP, but again, it might not be a song that’s good for repeated listens.
Two amazing collaborations follow: “Kingslayer (feat. BABYMETAL)” and “1×1 (feat. Nova Twins).” Although the verses of “Kingslayer” are a bit forgettable, BABYMETAL’s chorus is insanely good. It sounds like it belongs in a video game soundtrack — a feature that definitely elevated the song beyond anything else Bring Me The Horizon has done in the past and it’s sure to become a classic in their discography. “1×1” is even better, boasting the catchiest chorus out of all the songs, but not compromising that gloriously angry, heavy song.
“Ludens” follows, and alongside “1×1,” it’s easily one of the strongest in the collection, complete with a slow yet effective build up and an ear-wormy chorus. The concluding track, “One Day The Only Butterflies Left Will Be In Your Chest As You March Towards Your Death (feat. Amy Lee),” is extremely different from the tracks which precede it. It’s quite soft, and Amy Lee of Evanescence has a powerful, ethereal voice, which contributes to a haunting, ambient atmosphere that takes the listener to a whole new world. It’s a perfect ending.
Overall, this EP is not flawless, but it captures the frustration, shock and turmoil that this year has put many of us through. Bring Me The Horizon continues to bend genres and create sounds and relatable lyrics that can appeal to anyone.
