Album Review: Avralize – Freaks (Arising Empire)

Fronted by vocalist Severin Sailer, guitarist Philipp Tenberken, drummer Bastian Gölz and bass player Valentin Noack, Avralize release their debut album ‘Freaks’ on March 22nd, 2024, via Arising Empire.

I really want to love Avralize, I really do, but it’s hard. Now don’t get me wrong, Freaks is a damn fine album and as far as modern metalcore goes, they’re nailing it. The problem is over-saturation and a lack of originality. While Freaks showcases impressive talents and an understanding how to meld modern electronica with metal, all while having big choruses and heartfelt melody, so much of this is familiar.

I don’t think this is Avralize’s fault though, but rather an issue with the modern metalcore scene in general. There are so many bands doing this, in such a similar style, that it becomes harder and harder to find the ones that genuinely have a long-term future.

That’s just my opinion though, and I can easily recognise the realistic possibility that Freaks, and Avralize in general, could take the metalcore world by storm. As I already said, they’re a good band and this album is damn enjoyable. There are plenty of moments that stand out, and the opening track, Lotus, is a great example of this. Having a coarse twist, but also showing that while they have plenty of melody, they’re also quite dedicated to going as hard as possible. It’s one of many tracks with a bit of an ‘ear-worm’ chorus.

The fast instrumental tempo of Higher is very welcome and the balance of melody and punchy heaviness is done well here. The highlight of this track though? A great breakdown. This is a track you can tell is going to be one of the most beloved Avralize anthems amongst the fanbase. Less so, unless you like garish electronica and run of the mill metalcore, is Bright. One of the most forgettable tracks on the album because it is so standard, and even though it has a guitar solo, and that’s always welcome.

There’s an emphatic recovery though with Stab by Stab, where the EDM might be ‘in your face’ but this is a track with bundles of energy. It feels more imaginative, because it doesn’t follow the tired metalcore formula as intently as other tracks do.

There’s nothing to complain about when the coarse instruments come back with aplomb on Canvas, and even though the chorus isn’t that hot, it’s still got big metal anthem vibes. Then, Alive shows just how wild and heavy Avralize can be. Albeit, with deep melodic switches. It’s at its best when it is focused on being more manic as those moments have technical flair too. Before the penultimate track, Overdose, puts melody front and centre for a big melodramatic affair. It’s a mature digression from the standard formula, but has plenty of scathing sounds too.

Finally, it’s the title track, and one of the more blistering efforts overall, the chorus being a particular highlight. It’s a punchy ending, with some of the best guitars on the entire thing, and leaves a good feeling. Which does apply to the whole album.

This is a good record; it just lacks originality in far too many areas. Avralize are one to keep an eye on though, as they have shown an impressive amount of talent with this debut. They can only get better and better.

Avralize – Freaks Track Listing:

1. Lotus
2. Higher
3. Bright
4. Stab by Stab
5. Canvas
6. Alive
7. Overdose
8. Freaks

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