HOOMAN AFTER ALL

There is a specific type of exhaustion that comes from navigating the modern human condition—a sense of being 'hollowed out' by the very systems we inhabit. On 'HOOMAN AFTER ALL', SiM don't just comment on this state of being; they inhabit it, crafting a sonic landscape that feels as much like a fever dream as it does a metalcore odyssey. The album is a sprawling, ambitious piece of work that refuses to settle into easy tropes, opting instead for a sophisticated blend of j-rock sensibilities and punishing alternative metal weight.

From the opening notes of "FiVE TiMES DEAD (by my wallet)", the band establishes a mood of frantic, slightly desperate energy. It's a clever opening move; the title carries a wink of self-deprecation, but the music provides no such levity. The production is crisp, allowing the jagged guitar textures to cut through the mix with surgical precision. This isn't just about the mosh pit; it's about the palpable anxiety lurking underneath the riffs.

A masterclass in tension, SiM weave metalcore's raw power with an evocative, melancholic atmosphere.

The collaboration on "BLiNDEYES" with HANABIE. serves as a crucial pivot point in the album's early arc. Here, the atmospheric elements take precedence, weaving a ghostly, ethereal layer over the foundational aggression. It highlights SiM's ability to create space—a rare feat in a genre often characterized by dense walls of sound. The interplay between the vocals and the surrounding production creates a sense of displacement, perfectly mirroring the lyrical themes of lost perspective.

As the record progresses toward "HOLD MY BEER" and "Karen's Son", the band demonstrates their technical prowess. These tracks are more grounded in the metalcore tradition, but they never feel like standard fare. There is a deliberate, heavy weight to the riffage that feels earned rather than forced. The transition into "The Sniffing Cats Ska" introduces a stylistic pivot that could have easily felt jarring, but under SiM's direction, it feels like a necessary breath of eccentric air, injecting a frantic, rhythmic vitality into the mid-section of the journey.

Then comes the title track, "HOOMAN AFTER ALL." This is where the album's conceptual core crystallises. It is a sprawling, cinematic piece of songwriting that feels like the emotional climax of the record. It strips away the irony and leaves the raw, searching core of the human experience exposed. The dynamics here are masterful; the music swells and recedes like a tide, pulling the listener through a cycle of defiance and resignation. It is the heart of the record, a moment of profound, sonic sincerity.

The final third of the album, featuring "GHOST iN TOKYO" and the massive collaboration with Masato of coldrain on "ZiON," pushes the boundaries of their sound even further. "GHOST iN TOKYO" captures a haunting, urban isolation that feels distinctly cinematic, while "ZiON" provides a staggering display of sheer power. The inclusion of Masato brings a visceral, hardcore edge that complements the band's sophisticated arrangements, ensuring the album finishes with a roar rather than a whimper.

In "BLACK SUBMARiNE" and "FREEZE ME UP," the band experiments with atmosphere and texture, creating a murky, underwater sensation that feels like a descent into the subconscious. These aren't just transitions; they are deliberate artistic choices that build the world-building aspect of the album. The final track, "Sailing On," provides the necessary resolution, a sense of movement forward despite the preceding turmoil. It's a graceful, heavy conclusion that leaves the listener breathless.

"HOOMAN AFTER ALL" is a remarkable achievement for SiM. It is an album that respects the rules of its genre while fearlessly breaking them to serve a deeper narrative. By balancing high-octane energy with moments of haunting, avant-garde stillness, they have created a work that feels personal and universal all at once. It is a sophisticated, emotive, and ultimately rewarding journey through the psyche of the modern human, wrapped in some of the most compelling metalcore of the current year.",