tiME, tHE VaLuator

How Fleeting, How Fragile LONGBRANCH

German quartet aim for the djent sweet spot Straddling the divisive styles of djent and early-00s emo, Germans Time, The Valuator are certainly not going to be everyone’s bag, not least when Phil Bayer’s high-pitched vocals extend beyond their range or when some blunt rapping is employed on Terminus and

The Violent Sound. But when everything clicks this debut album can be alluring. There’s plenty of interesting interplay between the acrobatic guitars and punchy rhythm section, while the likes of Fugitive and Elusive Reasons mix this with a real ear for melody that rivals what Periphery have achieved on recent releases. While the contrast between riffs and sickly sweet pop hooks does jar on

How Fleeting and even repeats the same tune on When I Meet Death, the dramatic keys of Heritage and grittier nature of

In Control add a sense of anticipation for what comes next. FOR FANS OF: PERIPHERY, GOOD TIGER, SKYHARBOR