LOWER 13 are a Heavy Metal outfit hailing from the US, formed in 2006, since then the band has released three full length albums, with their most recent and fourth release titled , "Embrace the Unknown". In summary, the album feels like a call back to the sounds of early Metalcore and Melodic Death Metal harkening back to the 2000's especially where the duality of the vocals is concerned...but how is the album? Let's find out!

Firstly, let's take a look at the positives for the album possesses a myriad of merits to be appreciated, the first factor which in my opinion illuminates the atmosphere in a glorious magnitude is the clean vocals, now the album utilizes both clean and harsh vocals (which we will get to) but in terms of erecting an outlet in which the emotions flow unhindered, this is where "Embrace the Unknown" excels. Songs such as "Darker Days Ahead" and "Continue On" are two examples (as well as my favourite songs on the album) which demonstrates how the simplistic approach taken with the clean vocals help foster an organic feeling, and in my opinion, these are the moments that triumphs over the other songs which are built off the complex riffing and drum patterns and interchangeable vocal registers. Now what I mean by simplistic approach is that in certain structures upon the album the clean vocals can be compared to that of a stream that runs freely along  its own path, curving through the rocks and bending as it adapts to any shapes, while the guitars and bass acts as the essence which exists around it, in other words it helps to accentuate the vocals exuding at times a post-rock vibe, and this formulaic approach is what make these particular elements memorable, it's one that I would have preferred to be more prevalent upon this album.

Another positive is the musical factors that inhibit portions of each track, as the guitars and bass at times expels much bravado in the complex playing, there are also hints of jazz and progressive elements scattered which again, as a singular component, it shines rather well on its own, songs such as, "Hollowed" and "Last of our Kind" displays these individual features rather well.

However, what hinders the album is its structural integrity, yes, each unit is rather strong and quite proficient in what it offers, but the melding of these ingredients at times gives the illusion of trying to force a puzzle piece that does not fit the shape. Now, before I elaborate, I'll make it clear one more time, all members here are really talented, but take for instance a band like PROTEST THE HERO, that uses somewhat the same ingredients as LOWER 13, but the difference here is that the intricate and spiralling musical aspects are arranged in such a way to evoke a discordant aura, in other words, they all feel natural, however in LOWER 13's album, these constructs emit the vibe as though they were strewn together for the sake of producing a dissonant mood. "Embrace the Unknown" and "Reflection of Me" showcases the above, as there are catchy melodious sections with a strong delivery in the harsh vocals akin to early 2000's Metalcore and Melodic Death Metal, however the assembly is where the cracks in this machine reveal itself as the execution feels somewhat forced at times, with the interchanging of the vocal deliveries between harsh and cleans.

Finally,... is this a good album? Despite my qualms with it, I still believe that there are moments to be appreciated and also structures that may appeal to fans of old school Metalcore, but from my listening experience, from the tools displayed here one may expect a more pristine monument to be forged as the LOWER 13's well overflows with much talent. That being said, I am still recommending this to all Extreme Metal fans, because even though my eyes may not discern particular qualities that appeal to my liking, I am sure others may have a different perspective, thus, I urge other listeners to approach this with a clean palate. To LOWER 13, I look forward to the next release!