OATHBOUND is not to be confused with the Chilean band carrying the same name. This version hails from Seattle and dares to play what they describe as Progressive Metalcore. I have to say that these two styles usually get together within the better bands in this genre, so I'm hopeful that this will be the case with "Colors In Grey",  their debut album. They did release an EP in 2024 ("Until It's Gone"), but I haven't had the pleasure to hear that one. So this is my first encounter with the USA  version of OATHBOUND, and I like what I hear. Although I have to warn you that to my ears the Progressive part is underwhelming on "Colors In Grey". It's there, but only in miniscule parts. In this case I was hoping for a lot more.

And even though it all sounds rather nice, it also sounds very clean. A little bit too clean for a pure Metalcore band. The thing is that if you add the moniker Melodic in from of it, the whole description would make sense. Not that this is purely Melodic, but it doesn't go as Hard and Heavy as Metalcore bands usually do. Having said that, the songs that OATHBOUND write do make sense in the way you hope that music should do. They all start out good, have a proper structure, have a clear path to follow before finishing in a steady manner. If that is what you are looking for, I suggest you give "Colors In Grey" a try. I have a feeling that you might like what is being offered.

I have to warn you, though. Even if I am of the meaning that all the songs are well thought out, written in a good way and structured in a sensible fashion, I still feel that they are missing one key element that usually lifts bands and music above the rest, makes them more interesting than average. And that ingredient is excitement. I do like what I hear, but it's all a bit too controlled, there is to much colouring within the very narrow boundaries. The varying and quite different sorts of vocals used on "Colors In Grey" don't help OATHBOUND rise as much as I was hoping for. Maybe they were too cautious on their first full length album. if so, please let go, be brave, go for broke and ignore the usual boundaries. Dare to be different.