'The Aftermath - Chapter II "Am I Human"'
(Self-released CD on
October 4, 2024)
MARK:
91/100
Prologue
Established in the Bavarian city of Ingolstadt, Germany in 2011, Snumen already has 2 full-lengths and 2 EPs at its belt in the sign of Punk Rock, hardcore screaming and Metal riffs. This third EP is the second chapter of a concept album named "The Aftermath" that is composed by 3 parts.
Package version and other versions available
The version in my hands is a cardboard CD container, but there are of course digital files of the songs on the most popular streaming musical platforms.
Visual aspect
It is not specified who is responsible for the artwork, however the front cover depicts Leonardo da Vinci's drawings of the Vitruvian man surrounded by other drawings of inventions and notes.
High above stands the band's logo in white, whilst below appears the EP title in white big unstylized characters.
The back cover shows the same subject as on the front cover devoid of the Vitruvian man, covered by brown brush strokes.
The title of the EP, the tracklist, the line-up and the recording info all in white complete this part.
So the colours used in the front and back cover artwork are just black and brown, with the latter in different tones.
The disk basically repeats what is on the front cover.
The whole artwork shows a contrast between the Vitruvian man, perfect and representing the divine and the title where he wonders if he is human at all.
Trivia
The band are looking for a new bass player to play the 2025 live shows.
The song "On the Other Side" sees the guest appearance of Darkelessa.
The band's monicker is a game on words about their mascot Snowman and the people in a sensitive needs unit.
Lyrical content
The lyrics describe situations happening in a dystopic world in the
year 2084 and as usual they were all written by guitarist/singer Gary.
Engineering and sound quality
Recorded and mixed at the band's own Snudio recording studio, the tracks were later mastered at The Rat Studio.
The sounds are balanced, clean and clear, with powerful riffs and adrenalinic duophonic vocals.
-The equipment used is the following:
Drums: Pearl Vision VLX in Amber Fade with Paiste cymbals
Drum-Mics: Audix D6 (BD), SM57 and Sennheiser e606 (Snare above/below), Sennheiser Md421 (Low Tom), Rest t-Bone
Bass-Amps: Orange ADB 200 + Orange Cabinet, Ampeg SVT3 + FMC Cabinets
Bass-Mics: Sennheiser Md421 and DI
Guitar Amps: Orange TH30H, Engl Powerball I and ENGL Invader I (all with a Marshall 1960 AV Cabinet)
Guitar mics: Combination of Sennheiser e606, Sennheiser MD421 and Aston Origin
Bass guitars: Gibson, Fender, Sandberg, Yamaha, Taylor, Takamine
Guitar effects: Slave pedal "Shark Attack" and a Catalinbread "Katzenkönig", the rest von Cubase Keys: Korg MicroKorg for Bridged Vocals: Aston Origin on a SPL GoldMike
Track-by-track musical analysis
The opening is entrusted with "Interlude (Petrichor)", a break intro based on a gloomy arpeggio and declamatory effected vocals accompanied by an official animated video ("https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je8pj03NqKI") that includes the next track, too.
Without any pause begins "Savior", a song bouncing between Melodic Punk and sudden metallic outbursts recurring to Rise Against's patterns already present on the previous EP. It utilizes propedeutic drumwork and then it launches itself to Melodic Hardcore structures with occasional Metal parts. There are also 3 delicate whispered breakdowns interrupted by Hardcore structures alà Counterparts and brutal vocals until the end pops in with a distorted guitar stroke.
"On the Other Side" includes a catchy riff and mixes No Fun At All/Strung Out in the tighter faster parts with Nofx/MxPx in the arpeggiated and more melodic ones until guest female singer Darkelessa arrives first soloing then singing in tandem with vocalist/guitarist David Speth. Then there is a happy part with spoken vocals which turns to a Helloween-like fragment and then a Hardcore riff changes everything anticipating a final fast part fit for stagediving where the 2 singers reapper together until David Speth launches his last scream. The arrangement of the vocals (alone or doubled) is stunning and also the intelligent and beautifully amalgamated riffs and licks. This song has an unforgettable refrain and encompasses so many variations that you will never ever get tired of it. Perfection is not an exaggeration in this case.
More melodic Hardcore with "Shelter", opened by slow bass lines, where light and aggressive vocals are alternated. The time changes, drum fills and the smoothness in this composition show a songwriting that is both catchy and unexpected like in the breakdown before the 2-second silence almost at the end without sounding sloppy. One day I thought that probably this is the best number of this EP but it is in fact a set of songs one better than the other that it is impossible to choose.
The concluding title track begins with a crushing Metal riff in mid tempo, then the song veers towards lively and rapid Hardcore. The irresistible chorus to sing along is followed by spoken words on a slow guitar licks and Jazzy basic drum strokes, just before another ferocious section comes. The hummable refrain is back and then the track is concluded instrumentally before a closing adage repeated faster and faster and an electronic sound put the final word to this EP.
Value
This EP comprises valuable tunes to the point that it should be
re-released by a label with a normal release and a booklet to
appreciate the concept even more.
Conclusion
Well-composed and well-played Melodic Punk Hardcore tinged with Metal when it is needed, where inspiration, frenetic energy and pounding melody are not lacking.
Tracklist:
1. Interlude (Petrichor)
2. Savior
3. On the Other Side (feat. Darkelessa)
4. Shelter
5. Am I Human
Discography:
-This Is Not the End (EP - 2012)
-No Time to Rest (full-length - 2014)
-SNU:MeN (full-length - 2017)
-No Way Out (EP - 2022)
-Am I Human (EP - 2024)
Line-up on this EP:
David Speth - v., g.
Thomas Graf - g., v.
Lorenz Hüttner - b., v. (also in Rafiki)
Tom Ploner - d.
Contacts:
Meitinggen/Ingolstadt - D
E-mail: kontakt@snumen.de
Official website homepage:
https://snumen.de/index.html
Official main links:
Facebook
Bandcamp
Spotify
Youtube
Instagram
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DON'T MISS THIS ALBUM'S VIDEO REVIEWS IN ENGLISH AND
ITALIAN:
English video review:
Italian video review:
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