London’s After Smoke Clears are set to drop their debut album ‘Edification’ on November 12th. The groove metallers dropped six singles with music videos from the album so far gearing up for this release. You may remember me featuring some of those singles on my New Music Monday posts. I’m super grateful to have had the opportunity to jam to ‘Edification’ during this crazy week. But I just simply couldn’t wait any longer to tell you all about it!
‘Edification’ Full Review
The 10 tracks on ‘Edification’ are meant to symbolize the path from destruction to self realization. After Smoke Clears blends metal, tech, and groove seamlessly throughout the album. From the minute the album opens with “The Vine”, there is this primal intensity present. That same primal feeling is heightened even further in their breakdowns.
Something I really love though is each song has an important message that’s pertinent to the current state of our world. “Machine Dependent” is a great example of this. It serves as a clear reminder that we have a choice each time we reach for our phone. Will we use it as a tool to strengthen our learning, or will will we decide to remain dependent?
“Deterioration” still keeps things heavy as it encompasses the emotional rage from personal suffering and family tragedy. Its dark and somber atmosphere is slightly reminiscent of goth metal. This raw unrelenting energy intensifies in “Invigorate” and “Beta to Gamma”, and then completely explodes with “Rapacious”. To be clear, when I say “explodes”, that doesn’t mean it ends here. It’s at this point, though, that After Smoke Clears starts to become completely and totally unleashed.
“Extinguo” is definitely one of, if not the heaviest track, with the most brutal breakdown on the entire album. However, “Buried” and “Awaken” drive this aggression home even further. And with the amount of adrenaline “Buried” produces, it’s the track I expect the pit to lose its mind to at future shows. While the closer, “Edify” (featuring Citten) is the longest track on the album, it’s the band’s most versatile song. The addition of melodic metal elements only further how powerful it is, making it the perfect finale.
The Final Verdict
Overall, ‘Edification’ is a killer album where each song makes a serious impact. On each track, nothing feels forced or out of place. This just goes to show that After Smoke Clears isn’t just putting out music that they think will sell. Instead, they’re actually putting out music that they’ve lived, with messages that they believe. We’re just lucky enough to be on that unfiltered journey.
Where To Find ‘Edification’
After Smoke Clears has a physical CD copy of ‘Edification’ and merch/merch bundles available for preorder. Check it out here.
You can also presave ‘Edification’ on your favorite streaming platform here.
As a thanks for presaving ‘Edification’, the band announced they’ll also be doing a giveaway. They will be selecting four pre-savers at random to win a variety of prizes. The winners can choose either free access to their livestreamed show on November 20th, or a signed copy of ‘Edification’.
WANT TO COLLABORATE?
Click here for more info on collaborations.
