Review – Rise To Remain – City Of Vultures

Touring relentlessly over the past few years (both here and abroad) as they attempt to cement their reputation as Brit-metals princes in waiting, Rise To Remain have finally released their long awaited, and much anticipated debut album, City of Vultures.

They have always had incredible potential as a band, and have grown so much in the space of a short time, but all that would be for nothing if City Of Vultures didn’t deliver the goods. It is one thing being a fearless band in the live arena, but if the studio output doesn’t quite scale those heights, a band is not going to get anywhere. Thankfully though, in the case of Rise To Remain, the album ticks all the right boxes, and will no doubt help them to further cement their reputation as heroes in waiting.

In short, City Of Vultures couldn’t deliver the goods anymore if it tried. It is a massive record, brimming with huge ideas, ambition and the type of songcraft that will only see their star further in the ascent over the coming months.

The album starts in great form, with the likes of This Day Is Mine and Talking In Whispers being two quickfire early highlights. Guttural screams combine with soaring vocal hooks, as Austin Dickinson continues to make a huge impression as a commanding frontman, and a star in waiting. Alongside him, lead guitarist Ben Tovey is on scintillating form, with City Of Vultures easily having some of the finest guitar work of the year on display throughout; Tovey really allowed to let rip at times with furious guitar leads, riffs, licks, and solos that are a standout in the entire scene at the moment. His work on the outro to the album closing Bridges Will Burn is nothing short of sensational, much like his work throughout the excellent God Can Bleed Illusions (and pretty much everything else on the album).

If the albums starts in fine fettle, it only gets better and better as the record goes on, with tracks like Power Through Fear, Nothing Left (with a huge hook thrown in for good measure) and We Will Last Forever sounding crushingly huge. Dickinson’s vocals adapt perfectly to whatever is required of them, be it metalcore growls, soaring hard rock hooks, or emotive heart wrenching lyrics on the bands "power ballad-esque" Roads.

City Of Vultures is a huge record, and will prove just what everyone in the scene has known for a while now; Rise To Remain have a glittering future ahead of them.

8.5/10