Walls of Jericho – No One Can Save You From Yourself

Just in case you weren’t aware.

The last eight years of the hardcore/metalcore scene have been remiss without a release from Walls of Jericho. Back in its heyday, this scene was thriving with a fervent fanbase and grave refrains, with Walls of Jericho’s last release, The American Dream, contributing to the liveliness. It was a movement much like punk, bringing together those that relate on a savage level. In 2016, we’ve more or less moved on from this scene, but deep appreciators will still enjoy No One Can Save You From Yourself.

Beginning with the siren sounds of an emergency broadcast declaring martial law, the intro leads into the furiously beaten drums of “Illusion of Safety.” A rapid-fire pace makes No One Can Save You From Yourself blow by quickly, but impactful, due to the lasting impression each song leaves. The title track contains the sickest and most genre classic breakdown before leading into the somewhat anarchic “Forever Militant,” “Fight the Good Fight” and “Cutbird.”

Nestled in the middle of No One Can Save You From Yourself is the only mildly familiar track, “Relentless,” which they demoed back in 2014. With various voices proclaiming that they are indeed relentless, the intense blast beat laden song will make you feel as if you are the same.

The album ends on an unexpected, but refreshingly melodic note. As close to a ballad as can be claimed, “Probably Will” shows singer Candace Kucsulain more vocally vulnerable. To boot, it emphasizes the adverse side of the prototypical male-fronted metalcore band. Kucsulain’s insane talent has at times been masked by her gender, but the contrast between the brutally executed tonalities of the rest of the album and the slightly softer (yet still vicious) harmonies of “Probably Will” reign in a reminder of exactly what and who it is you’re listening to.

Perfectly encapsulating the sound of a much needed political revolt, No One Can Save You From Yourself is a lyrical reminder of the current state of our world, backed by pulsing breakdowns and crazed riffs. Compared to other efforts in the same vein, Walls of Jericho manages to thematically address pertinent issues on the album with an auditory output heavy enough to actually make you want to change the world.