Sink The Bismark – Sine Metu

Looking at the dark but minimalist cover of Sink The Bismark’s Sine Metu, I received a As I Lay Dying vibe – or at least some harsh metalcore with plenty of instrumental lows and screaming vocal peaks.  Regardless, front where I stand not a terribly enticing prospect.  As it turns out though, depending on their set list, Sink The Bismark could open for Hot Water Music or New Found Glory, and would feel right at home on tour with either.  They’re something of a less obnoxious version of Four Year Strong minus the flashbulb glitz and excess, but retaining an over the top zest for life.

Above all Sine Metu presents itself as an easy listen.  Opener “Dear Baltimore” delivers a swinging guitar punch paired with versatile riffs made all the more effective by vocalist Matt Amelung’s melody adhering barks.  The song will make fans of Fat Wreck Chords and Red Scare Industries followers even with smoother edges seen with follow-up “Cast Not Out (The Anchor).”  This is a band with a diverse skill set, with that track’s pseudo pop-punk agenda evidencing that the band isn’t afraid to cross paths with opposing factions of the punk world.  “Liars Last Call” rings in as a highlight and poster child to their stylistic potential.  Jangly percussion and authoritative riffs lead the punk-rock charge into a hook heavy chorus grounded by a chorus of backing bellows from the remainder of the band.  The song really speaks to the band’s future potential and reason-d’être.

I should mention the few drawbacks lurking between songs that tend to hold the album back from truly breaking out.  For instance, Sink The Bismark can overdo some of their pop sounds in songs like “Bottles Out To Sea,” especially when Amelung commits a little too fully to snotty early 00’s mall punk.  Obviously it’s not a major issue or I wouldn’t have spent the first half of this review showering Sine Metuwith praise, but there is a nagging sense that something small is holding the end product back from where it may have landed.

While Sine Metu hasn’t made me absolutely crazy about Sink The Bismark, the record has landed them in safely appealing territory.  Their comfort with divergent branches of the punk rock family tree makes for a widely appreciable listen.  Because of the range though, there may be traces of style that might put off some listeners so it’s really dependent on just where you land individually.  For me it’s a mixed bag, but one I’m willing to root through.