Review
The clattering opening sequence of "Cycles" signals Haste the Day's return after an eleven-year hiatus, establishing Dissenter as a dense, conceptual effort rather than a safe reunion play. Instead of retreading past triumphs, the band presents a "spiritual molting, or a soul stepping out of old skins", trading standard metalcore aggression for a weary, introspective narrative of personal and societal decay.
Vocalist and producer Stephen Keech steers the ship with tight, punchy production, ensuring the band "never missed a beat" as they integrate Silent Planet's guest features and brooding post-rock textures. Though a few critics note that the dual-guitar attack and structural breakdowns can feel overly traditional for the modern era, most praise how the record occupies a "melancholic and mature side" without losing the raw intensity of their classic sound. The resulting music is both cinematic and heavy, capturing a veteran act gracefully translating age and grief into vital heavy music.
