Ambitions “Stranger” CD

"Stranger" is the debut full-length from Connecticut's Ambitions on Bridge Nine, and is among a recent string of releases from the label that breaks away from the more traditionally heavy, aggressive and/or old school styled hardcore for which they're known. The basis for the riffing herein kind of builds off of that zippy, energetic sort of Shai Hulud type of thing, but fused with more of a "pop-punk" sort of sound ala Dag Nasty or something like that as opposed to the heavier side of things—so when combined with the vocal approach (singing, though not exactly in a full-blown sense) the end result sort of comes across as a more technical (and less catchy) take on the kind of relentless melody exhibited on the latest Ignite album. It's a pretty slick balance, because there are some obvious hardcore influences throughout, as well as a few standard post-hardcore textures scattered around, but the little fits of metallic chugging and such really don't come across as "metal" at all within such a blatantly melodic framework. Breadth of influences considered, the songwriting can be a touch one-sided when all is said and done (I think a hint more vocal variety and emphasis might do the trick), and it certainly won't be for everyone, but there's a lot of promise here. I'm all over the subtle complexities of the dissonantly textured riffing with all of the dual guitar interaction and whatnot, and that kind of thing always catches my attention and gets me curious... so it'll be interesting to see where they go with this delivery in the future.

Ambitions "Sinking"
Ambitions "Postscript"

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Bridge Nine