Rest & Let Go

The Overseer stake out a wide swath of sonic terrain on their sophomore album, ascending peaks of aggression before diving into valleys of reflection. While taking cues from the likes of Underoath and Blindside, the Arkansas-based Christian quartet forge their own identity on Rest & Let Go thanks to their ability to combine metalcore ferocity with melodic finesse and lyric nuance. Frontman Anthony Rivera earns kudos for his ability to effectively target his harsh vocals rather than simply scream his lungs out. His clean singing on tracks like “Fragile Wings” and “The Structure/The Foundation” is both heroic and vulnerable, lent extra impact by Darren King’s bruising guitars and Abishai Collingsworth’s merciless drumming. When Rivera bears his fangs and releases his inner ogre—as he does on “Paper Thin Houses” and “Finer Fiend”—he becomes truly intimidating. The corrosive roar of “The Ferryman, Charon” and “Scarlet Wool” reinforces rather than undercuts the quieter soul-cries of “Death March” and “Depraved.” Those seeking raw fury will find it in these tracks, along with a keen intelligence that separates The Overseer from their peers.