Album Review: Rising Insane – Wildfires (Long Branch)

German metalcore quintet Rising Insane will release their fourth album ‘Wildfires’ on 23rd August via Long Branch Records. The album takes an in-depth look at the consequences of our collective abstinence from empathy and challenges listeners to ignite their inner flame for change. It is an urgent call to break out of the darkness.

It’s no surprise that Rising Insane are beginning to evolve and move beyond their post-hardcore and metalcore roots. Not only is this the group’s fourth full-length, but their sound was running the risk of becoming stale. It’s time to freshen things up, time to get a bit experimental, and time to show their immense fanbase the direction they are going in.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that Wildfires is some big change though. Rising Insane are expanding, but this is gradual, and they are far from ignoring their roots. Especially the anthemic side of their heavy sound which is front and centre with the energetic opener, Reign. With more accessibility than ever, a powerful chorus, and bursts of real intensity, it’s a strong start.

However, if you’re after a clearer example of Rising Insane’s evolution, than the following Monster will provide, for better or worse. It’s a track that fails to spark, even when it starts to get heavier, and the chorus lacks life. It’s an average attempt to write something with potential mass appeal, but without the passion.

Thankfully this early dour turn is corrected with a big melodic offering called Lighthouse. Here, it’s all about heart and soul and it works because they do it in such a sincere way. Throw in a chorus that is powerfully anthemic, and this track proves to be a bit of a winner. Which also applies to the following Malicious and Bet on Me. The former transforming into a beast when Rising Insane combine their heavy ‘core’ intensity with the melody, layer the effects, and switch the tone up regularly. Whereas the latter is emphatically lively and showcases some of the band’s most lovable beats, alongside a chorus that can be simply summed up as ‘going hard’.

Speaking of ‘going hard’ though, there’s the pairing of Warning and Carousel. Both of which see Rising Insane deliver tons of infectious heaviness, showcase manic energy, and continue to experiment with their sound, but always bringing it back in a likably traditional way in the choruses. To break the familiarity up is Counting Regrets (Interlude), which sits in between the pair, and acts as the perfect bridge.

The energetic and passionate style is kept in play as the album reaches its conclusion. First, there is Burn. Another delightfully anthemic offering that serves to remind any doubters that Rising Insane have the innate ability to go extremely hard and keep the bounce of their vitality front and centre. Then, there is The Door, a melodic epic that puts Rising Insane in a much more dramatic place, but one that suits them nicely. Before things close out with the album’s most confused track of all.

It’s the title track and it’s confused because it finds Rising Insane at their heaviest sounding, but also their most melodic. Thankfully the flow works nicely, and the combination makes this finale an interesting way to wrap things up.

The evolution is well and truly under way and based off what is on offer here, it’s only going to help increase Rising Insane’s listener base. It’s not always the most exciting of listens, and at times, it lacks spark, but it’s still hugely enjoyable. The future is looking bright.

Rising Insane – Wildfires Track Listing:

1. Reign
2. Monster
3. Lighthouse
4. Malicious
5. Bet on Me
6. Warning
7. Counting Regrets (Interlude)
8. Carousel
9. Burn
10. The Door
11. Wildfires

Links

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok