Review: Like Moths To Flames – When We Don’t Exist

“Their debut album has set an exceptionally high bar for them…”

Artist Name: Like Moths to Flames
Album Name: When We Don’t Exist
Year: 2011
Genre: Metalcore
Label: Rise Records

Let’s not lie to ourselves here. In terms of metalcore, we’ve heard it all before and it’s highly improbable that any band is going to pop up and redefine the genre. Columbus, Ohio’s Like Moths to Flames certainly aren’t doing it on their debut album, When We Don’t Exist – but, in the same breath, I don’t think they’re pretending to be something they’re not, nor are they posing as the messiahs who’ll lead the scene on to greener pastures.

What When We Don’t Exist does offer you is a set of punishing riffs, standout melodic choruses, ass-whooping breakdowns (I’m avoiding the word “br00tal”. The n00bs will be hurt by this, I know), tight song structures, and, overall, a fantastic collection of impressive songs. Over 11 tracks, LMTF are unrelenting, as they beat the living sh*t out of your senses with extremely heavy tracks, such as ‘The Worst in Me’, ‘Your Existence’ and ‘Real Talk’, while also capturing your imagination (and harmonic tendencies) with some of the most contagious growl-along (and sing along) sections of 2011 in the form of ‘GNF’, ‘No Hope’ and ‘Faithless Living’. Yet, even with these redeeming qualities intact, the biggest drawcard of this release lies in the intensity level, which never seems to drop below manic. The blood, sweat and tears stain every single track, and not once are you lead into believing that LMTF are just going through the motions. In short, it’s extremely powerful and aggressive, as the band leave it all on the line.

Bottom line is that LMTF aren’t doing anything revolutionary, but When We Don’t Exist succeeds in announcing the band’s arrival to the metalcore world. Their debut album has set an exceptionally high bar for them. Keep your eyes on these dudes.

Best Tracks: ‘The Worst in Me’, ‘GNF’, and ‘Faithless Living’

80/100

- Sergio Pereira