InMe-The Pride
InMe have essentially been two different bands under the same name within their career. From their inception to 2005, they were a grunge-tinged post-hardcore trio who released two debatably classic albums during the latter genre's boom in the early-to-mid 00s. Both debut Overgrown EdenM/i> and it's follow-up White Butterfly comprised songs that balanced glimmering beauty with a powerful and youthful rage that captured the hearts of many, but upon bassist Joe Morgan's departure, the band were to undertake a subtle yet highly significant change in both dynamic and sound.
The now quartet are a prog-tinged melodic rock beast who are less recognised and therefore more underrated but just as rich in quality as their previous incarnation. The Pride, their fifth (or third) album follows the absolutely stellar Herald Moth and it's a worthy successor. The album feels less expansive and eclectic and instead more honed, with all those elements packed into the one song, the boxing-glove punch of Pantheon for example placing intricately brilliant guitar passages within a driving and anthemic chorus. Escape To Mysteriopa features some of frontman Dave McPherson's most immersive guitar playing and the manner in which he plays off fellow guitarist Gaz Marlow is seamless and enveloping, the guitar playing all over the album in fact is massively invigorating, it feels like it needs to be there as opposed to just being thrown in for impressive effect and this both brings the songs fully to life and in its prog-rock appearance enables an often full-on boredom-inducing style of music to become something exciting to listen to. There are surprises here too with Moonlit Seabed throwing in a sudden bass-drop that's certainly unexpected from the band but importantly really fucking works.
The album isn't as instant as its predecessors and its deeply intricate structure will take more than one listen to really grab hold of you but give it time and the sprawling solos of Beautiful Sky Gardens or the killer vocals on Halcyon Genesis will truly take hold and tempt you to explore each of the ten songs it has to offer. This is a great record from an often criminally underrated band, give it the time and attention it deserves.