Before The Muffin Takes Us

After seven years on the scene, Across the Sun is finally starting to get some recognition. After releasing three EPs and touring extensively, they were finally signed by Metal Blade last year and released their very first full-length album. The question is, was the wait worth it? Did this melodic metalcore quintet from Portland, OR deliver? The answer is a resounding yes.

The album starts strong with “Tipping the Scales”. Some atmospheric keys, courtesy of Shane Murray, layer over the drum work of Alan Ashcraft. Then the hammer falls as Sam Hafer lets loose on the guitar with a devilish little riff and Brandon Davis growls through the verse. The low end is rounded out by John Malloy. Then the chorus hits and Brandon shows that he’s got an amazing singing voice to pair with his screams. “Song for the Hopeless” once again showcases Hafer’s skill with the guitar. At this point, you’ll realize that the keyboards will be near the forefront for most of the album. Not ten seconds later, you’ll hear a perfectly placed synth transition and you’ll realize that the keyboards belong near the front, as they complement the guitar perfectly. “Seasons” takes a slightly slower pace and lets Hafer and Murray play a little bit on their respective instruments before things cut back for what feels almost like a ballad inspired verse. They build back up for the chorus, while Davis gets to show off his clean vocals for most of the song. Not wasting time, they kick things back up to speed with “Descent and Discovery”. Hafer sets a blistering pace and Davis growls along beside him. “Ghost of Grandeur” opens up with some nice melodic guitar work, and then the verse hits with a crushing hardcore drum line. Davis once again switches seamlessly between cleans and screams throughout the verses and chorus.

The title track gives us another pairing of guitar and keys working together, before the synth backs off and only pops up to emphasize parts throughout the verse. If you haven’t figured it out yet, I love Davis’ voice. He’s got a magnificent growl and one of the best singing voices I’ve heard in the metalcore scene in a long time – he’s got a great low voice, which is a nice contrast to the constant effort to use high clean vocals by most bands. The intro “A Moment of Clarity” is a grainy record audio sound, with some keys layered over top of it. A clean guitar fades in with the drums and bass not far behind. Later in the track we even get a taste of some string effects. It all meshes into a stellar instrumental track, which transitions nicely into the slower paced “Blessing in Disguise”. Things don’t stay slow for long, as the song quickly builds speed as it progresses. “In the Face of Adversity” pairs the guitar with the keys to give each a very melodic feel. As the closing track, “Belay My Judgment”, begins, you can tell that it’s going to be quite an epic finish. Soaring cleans and deathly growls, crushing guitars, ethereal keys, pummeling drum work, and a bass line that hammers it all home deliver on all fronts and give this album the perfect finisher.

Across the Sun have a great deal of talent, so it’s very good to see them getting signed to such a big label. They’ve got positive lyrics and an incredible musical gift. They’ve given us a spectacular debut album with Before the Night Takes Us, and I’m excited to see what they do next.