Review: Born of Osiris Preserve Their Progressive Metalcore Magic on Through Shadows
Just about every band feels the pressure to deliver the goods and validate themselves with each new album. Yet, Born of Osiris arguably had double the usual burden with Through Shadows since it not only follows 2021’s well received Angel or Alien but also marks their first studio LP since losing longtime keyboardist Joe Buras and longtime guitarist Lee McKinney. Thus, the remaining trio – drummer Cameron Losch, vocalist Ronnie Canizaro, and bassist/guitarist/keyboardist Nick Rossi – were tasked with proving that they could carry on just fine with a reduced lineup.
By and large, they do a superb job of it, as Through Shadows shows no signs of fatigue or of an inability to write and perform to the standard of their prior efforts. In fact, it leans further into the “progressive” part of their progressive metalcore ethos, with a heightened use of keyboards, time signature switches, and a better balance between clean and guttural singing making it a very satisfying sequence. That’s not to say that the collection is a complete breath of fresh air, but it easily shows how well the trio can survive and prosper despite having a smaller creative force.
Interestingly, and thanks in part to its increased emphasis on keyboards and digital effects, Through Shadows feels notably sci-fi and cinematic. For instance, opener “Seppuku” is bookended by mechanical sound effects alongside a computerized female voice, and several other tracks – including the existential title track, “A Mind Short Circuiting,” “Burning Light,” and “Transcendence” – tap into electronic bypasses, synthesized accompaniments, and the like. In those ways, the record sustains Born of Osiris’ trademark sound while also evoking albums such as Coheed and Cambria’s The Afterman: Ascension and Linkin Park’s A Thousand Suns.
Along the same lines, the LP features a surprising amount of gentle passages, inventive instrumentation, and soft singing.
For instance, there’s significantly symphonic closer “Blackwater.” It’s not an entirely fragile ride, but Canizaro’s celestial harmonies (in conjunction with serene soundscapes, warm guitar lines, and inspiring percussion) make it a decidedly welcoming and beautiful finale. Elsewhere, the triumphantly catchy chorus of “Through Shadows”; the playful horns of “Activated”; the colorful prog rock changes of “Inverno”; and the transcendental textures of intermission “Burning Light” add to Through Shadows comparably inviting, multifaceted, and ambitious voyage.
Of course, Born of Osiris know that they need to bring the fury, too, which they absolutely do. Honestly, and despite the aforementioned delicate detours and intricate asides, Through Shadows houses some of their most straightforwardly fierce material (“Elevate,” “Torchbearer,” “Dark Fable,” etc.) Sure, there might be some vibrant coatings and momentary respites as they go, but those songs – in addition to at least a handful of others – are built upon the belligerent rhythms, corrosive guitar riffs, and downright demonic screams that longtime fans have long adored.
Through Shadows doesn’t usher in a new era for Born of Osiris (at least not musically), but it doesn’t have to. Rather, it demonstrably highlights two important things at once: that the remaining trio can retain their essential qualities following the departures of two key members, and that they can innovate enough to keep things fresh without sacrificing those fundamental elements. As such, Through Shadows is guaranteed to please Born of Osiris devotees and provide the perfect introduction for newcomers.
Born of Osiris’ Through Shadows releases on July 11 via Sumerian Records.
