Introduction
Today, we delve into the debut album of the five-piece band Watch Me Rise from Frankfurt. Their album, ‘A Decade Full Of Setbacks And Mistakes,’ fuses elements of Emo, Post Hardcore, and punk! The German bands music is rich with emotion and offers thoughtful reflection on the world around us.
Having already performed alongside notable acts like Enter Shikari and Black Flag, it’s only a matter of time before they start to make similar waves. Be sure to take your time enjoying each track featured in this review and follow the band on their social media!
Review
Calico
From the very beginning, the band delivers some fantastic riffs, with no time wasted on introducing the vocals. The singer conveys a true sense of anguish, and their harsher tones evoke comparisons in my mind with Beartooth, a band I love.
The band seems to have struck gold with perfectly balenced drum rhythm and backing vocals. I appreciate the clarity of the lyrics, as even with a gritty tone, the vocals are clear, enhancing my musical experience.
At around 1:35, the tempo takes short break as the vocals pause briefly. When they return, they are delivered in a softer, more spoken style, accompanied by a fantastic riff in the background.
“We’ll be alright.”
Maladaptive
Hold on! There’s no time to catch your breath as it bursts out of the gate. From the very first drumbeat, it hits you hard in the chest. The chorus is incredibly catchy, and after just a few listens, it’s firmly rooted in my head.
“I will take the blame
For all of my mistakes
I’m tired constantly
That I’m not what I could be.”
I believe this song is a step up from its predecessor, featuring well-defined choruses and verses. The conclusion strikes a balance between defiance and heartbreak, which I find compelling. It’s remarkable how, despite the evident pain, a positive message can still emerge from it.
“I think I suffered enough, I think I suffered enough.”
Marad
The introduction of this track, is subdued in tempo than the last, and demonstrates genuine quality. It only gets better once the drums come in; honestly, the beginning of this track is a perfect 10. There are no vocals for the first 30 seconds, but I find that completely acceptable due to the caliber of the instrumental part. The anticipation pays off when it finally launches into an electrifying pair of opening lyrics.
“It all starts with the belief in being
And Everything ends with death.”
One immediate positive I notice is the spacing between the vocals; it allows the instruments to shine while simultaneously giving more weight to every word.
“NO WAY OUT!”
This song is packed with raw emotion, and I truly believe it’s worth reiterating that comparison to Beartooth. Both bands lay their feelings and thoughts bare without any resistence. The main distinction is the absence of clean vocals, but if both groups executed the same style then this band wouldn’t stick out so much to me.
I also find a comparison to Billy Talent, particularly in the higher range of the screams. In the last verse, I really appreciate the blend of clean and harsh vocals and how the band has crafted this. I would have enjoyed it even more if that dynamic was present throughout the entire track.
(For) Friede
This is undoubtedly the most upbeat the band has sounded instrumentally; there’s a noticeable spring in their step! While the signature emotional edge remains, it seems they may have crammed too many words into certain lines of the lyrics.
The track features a soaring guitar melody that I find really appealing, complemented by a superb bass line during the instrumental break. It’s evident that the song pays tribute to someone special, as the vocals convey a deep sense of sorrow and loss, yet there’s also a profound gratitude for the moments spent together.
“I hope wherever you are , that you know I have the voice that you were never allowed to have.”
The subdued conclusion of the song communicates a sense of respect and nostalgia for someone cherished by the band.
I Thought You Were Stronger
The track opens with a really calming, serene almost other worldly tone, enhanced by the guitar’s contribution to the ambiance. The addition of drums and bass elevates the overall sound even further, crafting a high-quality soundscape. As I glanced at the clock, I noticed it had been over a minute without any vocals, which made me realize… this was going to be an instrumental piece.
It’s a bold choice for the middle of an album, and honestly, I believe it was a risk that paid off! The song maintains a consistent feel throughout, with minor shifts here and there that create subtle layers of variation.
Resign
In these chaotic times, this song serves as a powerful anthem for the unseen struggles we face. However, I feel the verses could be trimmed down, as the instruments seem to take a backseat in this track.
I particularly enjoy the vocal delivery and the two-line interlude from the verses because of how well the vocal styles merge. However, I feel the song lacks a catchy chorus hook to fully engage listeners; the highlight of the track is undoubtedly the last minute.
Indigo
In contrast to the other tracks on this album, the introduction is quite subdued, particularly with the guitar. The drums provide some edge but lack that aggressive undertone. This song excels at its chorus! Complementing the verses beautifully, and I find the themes it explores to be quite powerful.
“I found a place to call my own
Full of broken dreams and completely alone
I found a place to call my own
Full of broken dreams and completely alone.”
I am continually amazed by the depth of emotion the band infuse into their music; it’s not just the singing, but the instruments also embody the emotional state perfectly.
Solace/Grace
This track has a distinctly punk feel! It strongly reminds me of Billy Talent and Rise Against, particularly in its tempo and vocal delivery. However, I can imagine that performing this song live could be quite challenging due to the rapid strumming required on the guitar!
“This grip of anger won’t let me go
I am so fucking lost
In the lyrics of my rage
I find no solace no grace.”
There is a moment in the song where it abruptly halts. I believe that neither side of this pause carries enough weight to justify its inclusion, so I would have left it out.
Chasing Peace
This song’s subject matter connects with me on a deep level. For years, I’ve grappled with my self-image and my worthiness in the eyes of others. I can’t help but think that featuring an artist with clean vocals could have taken this track to new heights.
The chorus is incredibly catchy, and I can genuinely envision myself playing this song repeatedly. The instrumental section is outstanding and complements the lyrics flawlessly; it’s not just the highlight of this song, but arguably the entire album. The way the vocals mirror the rhythm of the bass, drums, and guitar is fantastic.
“See the beauty within, stop the cycle.”
That phrase should definitely become someone’s new mantra! It could very well be mine…
In Red
The beginning of this track stands out from the rest of the album, and I can’t quite identify what it reminds me of. However, I really enjoy the cycling riff, complemented by ominous sounds from both the bass and drums. This track brings to mind one of my favorite songs by Bring Me The Horizon, “It Never Ends.”
“And every second, every minute that I’m not awake.”
I love the almost poetic nature of the vocals in this track; of course, I have no objections when the more intense vocals come in as well.
“I try to break the cycle but it always ends with me.”
Final Thoughts
While this isn’t their debut release, having previously put out EPs, this feature-length album is truly impressive! It’s bound to be a staple in my playlist for a long time, and there’s a solid reason for that. Their sound reminds me of other artists, yet it remains distinctly original and far from mere imitation.
This album captures their personal experiences and reflections. The intense emotions resonate with the raw energy of Beartooth, while the high note screams bring back memories of my first encounters with Billy Talent. That’s what I truly appreciate about this album; it feels both familiar and refreshingly new. Each track offers enough diversity to make it a pleasure to revisit time and time again.
I’ll refer back to my earlier comparison with Bring Me The Horizon. This music closely resembles the albums from the midpoint of their career. I believe they have the potential for similar growth; the foundations are laid, and all they need is some nurturing.
8.5/10
All rights to the songs in this review are retained by Watch Me Rise. This site claims no rights over them. Images were provided by Watch Me Rise and taken by Bryan Reinsch and Maximilian Schrauder.
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