Review: InMe - The Pride

 What is there to say about Essex alt-metallers InMe? They've released a series of albums that successfully reveal their abilities in playing post-hardcore with a more streamlined and poppier edge, but the similar style and techniques executed by Funeral for a Friend, Fightstar and Biffy Clyro have left them being underrated and overlooked. Needless to say, a "thorough" listen-through of the group's back catalogue reveals them to have just as big a sound as their poppy post-hardcore peers, just not as big a fanbase. There's no knowing if the release of fifth album The Pride will allow the group's hook-filled hardcore to win it's way in the hearts of any new listeners but it does have the certain grandness of passion that reveals it's potential to do so.

 The Pride reveals itself as an album that seriously accentuates the brilliance of streamlined post-hardcore music, being a collection of epic-ly crafted songs that succeeds in encouraging people to headbang and keep them in a state of hypnosis, while keeping an energetic hook filled melodic power.
 This allows this sense of mainstream gloss is present and gives tracks like A Great Man and Silver Womb  an extra sparkle to go along with juddering melodies and pounding riffs from frontman Dave McPherson. These songs are breathtakingly uplifting, and Halcyon Genesis, boasting lyrics such as "And I know now, my best days are ahead of me", features one of the most beautiful and uplifting choruses of the year so far. Although, there is a lot to choose from when considering this. The Pride is filled with massive sing-along choruses guaranteed to raise the spirits of anyone listening.
 This sense of uplifting joy and love of hooks is even seen in the likes of Reverie Shores  and Escape to Mysteriopa which showcase the groups more prog-based elements - something that InMe have always brought uniquely to the table in this world of modern poppy post hardcore bands. As sweeping synthesizer backdrops form together with the pounding hardcore riffs, the result is irresistibly dreamy and hypnotic in it's brimming charm.
 So, a decade into a somewhat unnoticed career in music and InMe have still got it. They are still wonderfully powerful in their playing of streamlined post-hardcore music and still understand hooks as well as creating lush soundscapes. This is an album that could allow this group to witness the grander scale of being a UK rock band and gain the kind of fan numbers that are truly deserving.

 InMe's The Pride is out now via Graphite Records. The band are on tour now with LostAlone.