D.R.U.G.S.
Until God Shows
VELOCITY
8/10
ANTHEMIC ECLECTICISM: Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows (D.R.U.G.S.) returns with Until God Shows, a post-hardcore meets pop gallery of tracks showcasing Craig Owens’ artistic evolution. The album kicks off with “It Follows,” a treatise on the omnipresence of mental illness driven by addictive choruses and a dynamic electronic backdrop, channeling a more textured but ultimately recognizable motif for the band. From there, we are led on a multi-genre voyage that is both experimental in style for the band and also masterful in its execution.
You would be mistaken, for instance, if you recognized “MALICE” as a heavy pop offering through its first chorus, but as the track moves, electronic noise modifiers are introduced and eventually mixed seamlessly with low guttural vocals, crunchy guitar, and blast beats through the bridge, creating an exhilarating listening experience. Following this, “Headcase” emerges as a standout anthem, blending sing-along melodies with heavy instrumentation. In “STEEL,” listeners are treated to hardcore-style yells, demonstrating Owens’ ever-impressive range of vocal techniques.
Linkin Park-esque “Crawl from Under” closes the album perfectly, encapsulating a journey of redemption as Owens reflects on personal struggles, capturing the essence of emotional clarity. The line, “Now that the sky is clear, I can feel that the sun is real,” marks a profound shift in perspective. Whereas previous albums have turned anger and pain outward, Until God Shows is decidedly introspective. The album concluding with this spark of hope creates a visceral feeling of catharsis.
While elements like crunchy, distorted electronics create commonality throughout the album, each song is its own entity entirely, genre jumping not only from track to track but often within each song itself. It’s a testament to Craig Owens’ mastery of not only the theatrical post-hardcore and metalcore longtime fans know him for, but also of heavier elements, electronics, noise, and pop. Fans of the new Bring Me the Horizon, as well as those who appreciate the heavier side of pop, will find much to enjoy in Until God Shows. This album not only highlights Owens’ artistic evolution, but also sets a high bar for its musical peers. ~ Cassie Whitt
