Album Review: Future Palace - 'Run'

New German post-hardcore band Future Palace returns with a massively gripping sophomore release, Run via Arising Empire.

Too much of the time, the world becomes almost becomes secondary to our problems. The problems of the present — primarily climate change, have been neglected far too long and are a long-term concern, for if we want to live and fight our battles and make way for real change, we need a world in which that is all possible.

"More melodically gratifying junctures such as "Dead Inside" dance their way into more uniquely flavored songs, "Flames." A space where Maria tests the waters on this record with a rap-metal vocal style, its aggressive mix of high-adrenaline guitar riffs and invigorating drums keep things interesting for other vocal standout tracks such as "Locked," and "Defeating Gravity."

While there are talented bands that address this point within their music, rarely do they take the time to drive that home to where it makes you feel that stress and urgency of a world on the edge of ruin. Unexplored Berlin-based post-hardcore band Future Palace not only understands the concept of living in a world on the verge of collapse but is perceptive enough to grasp that the time is here and now to act on these pressing matters before it is too late to fix our own. This dark but hopeful backdrop is the segue into Future Palace's latest sophomore album release, Run.

Run starts with a beautifully atmospheric opener, "Paradise." Maria's charismatic clean with heavy raw vocal work plays well off the massive guitar riffs and deep, impactful drums. One of the more gorgeous displays leading into the rest of the experience, "Paradise," paves the way for more gravid moments.

More melodically gratifying junctures such as "Dead Inside" dance their way into more uniquely flavored songs, "Flames." A space where Maria tests the waters on this record with a rap-metal vocal style, its aggressive mix of high-adrenaline guitar riffs and invigorating drums keep things interesting for other vocal standout tracks such as "Locked," and "Defeating Gravity."

An emotionally defining turning point on Run are tracks "Roses" and "Wounds." Fervidly baring their innermost turmoil and some of the most engaging occasions on the record, it paves the way for the powerfully melodic closer, "Fever."

Run displays many deep themes that progress from toxic relationships to more profound world issues. While the world may be on the brink of dysfunctional atrophy and often unbearable place to tolerate at times, Future Palace finds a way to birth hope, veracity, and courage to keep going when at times it seems hard to do so. While currently accomplished bands like Spiritbox have certainly done well for themselves within the scene, it leaves the future promising for the new up-and-coming Berlin heavyweights.