What would happen if Buddhist teachings were merged with a cacophony of noise and aggression? Well ‘Pull The Thorns From Your Heart’, Senses Fail’s sixth studio release is here to delve into this surreal question. Vocalist Buddy Nielsen’s devout dedication to studies of Buddhist teachings have allowed him to find peace within himself after years of struggling with his identity. This album acts as a therapeutic release for Nielsen to showcase his journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
‘Carry the Weight’ showcases Nielsen’s lofty, heavenly vocals before ‘The Courage of an Open Heart’ tears into you like an uneasy plunge into a shark infested sea. The drums rattle off like a machine gun, the ferocity and speed keeping the song elevated throughout.
‘Wounds’ opens with a warm, dreamy Deftones like symphony, the song sounding big, the screamy vocals perfectly juxtaposed with the echoed, lighter parts. The album has a positive message about being yourself and beating your demons, Nielsen referencing his struggles with being gay; the album reflecting the process by which he became comfortable with his identity. This is eloquently portrayed between the different sequences of heavy and soft and highlights a slight change in style from their previous material.
‘Surrender’ offers a calming interlude from the heaviness, sections of trickling guitar and warm reverb, not unlike a relaxing Tibetan meditation washing over you. The spoken word vocals with echoed effect enhance this feeling of other-worldly, dream filled visions; the summer time guitar carrying you upon a current of bliss, before Nielsen’s voice soars in, a Hundred Reasons sounding melody filling up every ounce of your being. It is clear that this release is going to do a lot for Senses Fail. They have created something that is different from others in the scene and offers something refreshing, personal and empowering.
‘Dying Words’ demonstrates Senses Fail’s ability to do heavy justice, Nielsen’s vocals being shrieked upon a bone numbing shudder of guitar and drums. “There’s so much beauty in this world” offers a message to everyone to open their eyes from the monotone and the everyday and see how beautiful and precious life can be. Nielsen screams his discoveries, like he is trying to wake up the world from its slumber.
‘The importance Of The Moment Of Death’ has some meaty southern esque guitar riffs and a creepy, Whiskey drinking clown in the video, before the self-titled track ‘Pull The Thorns From Your Heart’ harks back to the old sound that got them where they are today.
Despite Nielsen’s over indulgent analysis, “This record is the complete documentation of my transformative spiritual experience from the darkness to the light’, the album warrants a listen and could help those who want to see the blossom from the muck.
DAVE BULL