Post Human: Survival Horror | ||||
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Released | 30 October 2020 | |||
Recorded | 2019–2020 | |||
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Length | 32:10 | |||
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Bring Me the Horizon chronology | ||||
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Singles from Post Human: Survival Horror | ||||
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Post Human: Survival Horror is a commercial release [note 1] by British rock band Bring Me the Horizon. It was released on 30 October 2020 and is intended to be the first in a series of four projects to be released by the band under the Post Human name. The release was produced by frontman Oliver Sykes and keyboardist Jordan Fish, with additional production from composer Mick Gordon. Stylistically, the release marks return to the heavier and more aggressive metalcore sound of the band's earlier material.
The release was preceded by four singles: "Ludens", which was also previously released as a single on the Timefall soundtrack for Death Stranding , "Parasite Eve", "Obey", and "Teardrops". The release received generally positive reviews from critics and became the band's second UK number one release. The second Post Human installment, Post Human: Nex Gen , originally set to be released on 15 September 2023 was delayed until it was released on 24 May 2024. The lengthy delay came as a result of "unforeseeable circumstances" that left the band being unable to complete the record in time. [1] [2]
On 20 March 2020, the band announced that they were in a home studio, writing and recording material for their eighth record, which was expected to be an extended play (EP), with part of it being co-produced by video game composer Mick Gordon. [3] [4] After playing the video game Doom Eternal during the COVID-19 lockdowns and being inspired by Gordon's soundtrack for the game, lead vocalist Oliver Sykes contacted Gordon to help produce the song "Parasite Eve" and the release as a whole. [4] In August 2020, the band's keyboardist Jordan Fish teased that the band was planning on releasing a series of releases. [5] [6] Speaking about the releases, Fish stated:
"When we get into the other EPs, it'll give us a chance to maybe get some other people on who are a bit more left-field or a bit more out of the box for our band." [5] [6]
The band's lead vocalist Sykes also stated that they would be releasing four EPs under the "Post Human" name, stating:
"They'll each be totally different with their own sound and mood," he said. "That's one thing we've never really done. There's often been an over-arching theme on our records, but the music has always felt like a collage. That's cool and I like it, but sometimes you want a soundtrack for a certain occasion and emotion." [6]
On 2 November 2020, Fish explained in an interview he got the terminology of the record wrong, because it was not supposed to end up with nine tracks on it, revealing:
"I didn't think it was going to be nine tracks. I guess EP, we probably used the wrong terminology in the first place, I don't think we should have maybe said EP..." [7]
While Sykes was quarantined during the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, he frequently listened to rock duo Nova Twins. [8] Members Amy Love and Georgia South had also quarantined separately following the cancellation of their shows in March 2020. Some time after, the duo were contacted by Jason Aalon Butler—owner of Nova Twins' label 333 Wreckords—who told them that Sykes and Fish wanted to talk to them. The following day, Sykes messaged them on Instagram and sent an unfinished version of "1x1". As Sykes needed the track finished within the week, Nova Twins recorded and returned their parts in two days, with South adding "a few weird bass noises on there". [9]
Sykes stated that the songs were written to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. [10] In an interview with NME , Sykes would reveal a lot of different information about Post Human: Survival Horror. "Dear Diary," the introduction song was originally called "Survival Horror" and he wanted the song to be "fast and punky", as well as lyrically being about going into isolation and lockdown with Sykes expressing how he felt it made him feel like it was a zombie apocalypse with all of those feelings being written down into a diary to represent about how everyone feels being forced into isolation from society in an arising pandemic. [11]
"Parasite Eve" was originally written about a Japanese virus that Sykes had read about and how he thought a huge virus could impact the future, which would end up shocking him when COVID-19 arose as he never thought something like that would happen so soon. The band went back and forth on thinking it was a good idea whether to release the song, as they felt it may have been "too offensive" before releasing the song with altered lyrics as "When we forget the infection, will we remember the lesson?" was originally "If we survive the infection." They eventually released "Parasite Eve", with the reasoning that people need a song like it, even if it is dark. The overall sound and themes of "Parasite Eve" would end up dictating the direction for the rest of the record. [11]
Sykes would go on to explain how "Teardrops" is about the "bad news" people have been fed over the course of the past year and how he put into perspective how bad everything is, citing the murder of George Floyd. He also elaborated that it is easy to get numb to bad news because there is so much of it overwhelming everyone, which has a massive detrimental effect on mental health, because we do not react the way we should towards things as a direct consequence of this. Sykes's perspective on everything plays a vital role in what "Teardrops" means to him and his reflection towards society. [11]
"Obey" was written about how people are told to co-operate with the status quo, particularly politically and socially, instead of demanding better. He would express how fear forces us to accept the way things are and how we just obey the system. The song was written from the perspective of the oppressor towards the people being oppressed, citing the example of a warning given by then US president Donald Trump to anti-racist protestors in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. The collaboration with Yungblud started when the band's keyboardist, songwriter and producer, Jordan Fish had the suggestion to get Yungblud on the track as that's what he felt the song needed. [11]
Sykes did not have much to say about "Itch for the Cure (When Will We Be Free?)", though he stated how the themes of the song were directly tied and linked to the follow-up on the record "Kingslayer", featuring Babymetal. [11] The song title for "Itch for the Cure (When Will We Be Free?)" would be a confirmed reference and nod to "Cure for the Itch" off of Linkin Park's Hybrid Theory . [12]
He would go on to say about how the idea of "Kingslayer" originally came about when he was playing Call of Duty in Amsterdam, and the "Kingslayer" is what everyone wants to be. He used the idea as an analogy for the idea of then US president Donald Trump condemning ANTIFA as a "terrorist organisation" and the Extinction Rebellion causing chaos, as he felt that people have to go out and do what they feel is right, no matter the cost. Hence the themes and for "Kingslayer" to break the barriers of the reality. Sykes would go on to compare the sound of the song to something off their second studio album Suicide Season , and how the cute vocals of Babymetal on the chorus would make for a perfect contrast on "Kingslayer". [11]
Sykes said that "1x1" was written about "the guilt that we as a society carry for what we've done to other species and ethnicities and other genders", while also taking inspiration from his past history and struggles with drug addiction, citing it as the most personal song on the record to him. [8]
"One Day the Only Butterflies Left Will Be in Your Chest as You March Towards Your Death" features Evanescence vocalist Amy Lee. The song on the surface is about a relationship, but the hidden meaning is actually about the relationship between human and mother nature which Sykes describes as "abusive". [11]
Musically, Post Human: Survival Horror has been described by critics as alternative metal, [13] [14] metalcore, [13] [15] electronic rock, [15] nu metal, [15] industrial metal, [16] hard rock, [15] electronica, [17] EDM, [15] and trancecore. [13] The album is culturally cited as playing a significant role in solidifying the emerging nu metal revival movement of the late 2010s within the alternative music scene. [18] [19] Wall of Sound noted "thrash metal inspired riffs" on the song "Dear Diary,". [20] They also compared the song "Teardrops" to Linkin Park and called it a nu metal track. [20] According to The Independent , the song "Kingslayer" "employs thrash and screamo for a nightmare rave..." [21] The song features Japanese metal band Babymetal. [21] During an interview, Fish and Lee Malia revealed that Babymetal originally recorded their parts in English before Sykes asked them to re-record in Japanese. [7]
On 6 November 2019, the band released a new song titled "Ludens". [22] [23] It was released as the first single off the record and was also part of Death Stranding: Timefall , along with the news that the band are not planning to release an album again and instead wanted to release EPs in the future. [22] [23] On 25 June 2020, the band released the second single "Parasite Eve" along with a music video. [4] [24] [25] It was expected to be released on 10 June 2020, but due to the George Floyd protests and the Black Lives Matter movement, the song was postponed to 25 June. [26] That same day, the band also announced a new project that they have been working on titled Post Human which they said to be four EPs released throughout the next year which when combined would make an album. [24] [25]
On 2 September, the band released the third single, "Obey" in collaboration with English singer Yungblud with its corresponding music video. [27] On 14 October, the band officially announced through social media that Post Human: Survival Horror was set for release on 30 October 2020. [5] [6] [10] [28] [29] [30] [31] The band announced a 2021 UK arena tour in support of the release. [28] [31] On 22 October, a week before the release date, the fourth single "Teardrops" was released alongside an accompanying music video. [10] [32] [33]
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AnyDecentMusic? | 6.9/10 [34] |
Metacritic | 82/100 [35] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Clash | 7/10 [37] |
Gigwise | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Independent | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Kerrang! | 4/5 [38] |
The Line of Best Fit | 7.5/10 [39] |
NME | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Sputnikmusic | 2.7/5 [14] |
The Times | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Wall of Sound | 8.5/10 [20] |
Post Human: Survival Horror received generally positive reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has an average score of 82 out of 100, which indicates "universal acclaim" based on 8 reviews. [35] Josh Gray of Clash was positive towards the release stating, "as indicated by its title, track names...this record boasts some serious Big Video Game Energy, elevated by the presence of Doom...composer Mick Gordon. Gordon helps the band inject some high-octane ferocity back into their music, and tracks like 'Obey' and 'Ludens' sound huge when paired with the rattle of your bullets mowing down wave after wave of aliens/zombies/Animal Crossing villagers." [37] Wall of Sound praised the release saying it: "After years of going softer with their sound, trying new things to prove their worth, Bring Me The Horizon will surprise even the biggest of critic with Post Human: Survival Horror. It has a touch of everything they've been producing over the past decade and really cements them as one of the world's best rock bands getting about today." [20]
Laviea Thomas of Gigwise was positive towards the release and felt that the release "[harnessed] their roots, whilst still keeping it fresh." [17] Andrew Trendell of NME was positive towards the release and stated that some of the songs "[have the] pure aggression [that] harks back to the heavier vibes of 2008's Suicide Season and 2010's There Is a Hell... " [19] Nick Ruskell of Kerrang! considered the release to be "cathartic" and "heavy" and that the release has [elements] of the familiar in amongst the creativity. [38] Neil Z. Yeung of AllMusic praised the release stating "Survival Horror is one of the band's best distillations of their extremes, providing just enough brutality without sacrificing their evolving vision of how melodic and experimental a metal band can be." [36]
The Independent was also positive towards the release, calling it "...a soundtrack fit for the end of the world." [21] Callum Foulds of The Line of Best Fit stated that "...[the release captures] the bewildering phenomenon that is living through a worldwide pandemic." [39] Sputnikmusic was less positive stating "Post Human: Survival Horror...[is] the sonic equivalent to fast food, by which you'll consume it, enjoy it, and forget about it right after you've finished it, but it's fun while it lasts. [14]
Publication | Accolade | Rank | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
Alternative Press | Alternative Press's 50 best albums of 2020 | — | |
Exclaim! | Exclaim!'s 25 best EPs of 2020 | — | |
Kerrang! | Kerrang!'s 10 best EPs of 2020 | 1 | |
NME | NME's 20 best EPs and Mixtapes of 2020 | — | |
Punktastic | Punktastic's Top 25 albums of 2020 | 14 | |
Revolver | Revolver's 25 best albums of 2020 | 7 | |
Riff Magazine | Riff Magazine's 75 best albums of 2020 | 33 |
Post Human: Survival Horror debuted and peaked in the top 40 in over 15 countries worldwide, including top 10 peaks in Australia, Austria, Finland, Germany, Portugal and Switzerland.
In their home country, Post Human: Survival Horror debuted at number five on the UK Albums Chart and number two on the UK Rock & Metal Albums Chart purely on digital formats, selling 3,767 downloads and 5,287 streaming units accumulating a total of 9,024 album equivalent units. [48] [49] Upon being released on physical formats, the record re-entered atop the UK Albums Chart, claiming the band their second UK number one by beating Bicep's Isles to the top spot by selling 14,904 copies after trailing at number two in the midweek update. [50] [49] In the process, it became the first record in nearly 30 years to re-enter atop the charts since Oleta Adams' Circle of One became the first to do so. [51] In July 2021, the British Phonographic Industry certified Post Human: Survival Horror as Silver for 60,000 units and later got certified Gold for 100,000 units in January 2023. [52]
In the United States, the record debuted at number 46 with 14,000 total units (5,225 downloads), becoming the band's first since Suicide Season (2008) to not debut inside the top 40 on the US Billboard 200. It however peaked inside the top 10 at number eight, four and three respectively on the Top Rock Albums, Top Alternative Albums and Top Hard Rock Albums charts. [53] [54] Upon its physical release, Post Human: Survival Horror re-entered the US Billboard 200 at number 171 with 4,225 copies sold. [55] [56]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Dear Diary," | 2:44 | |
2. | "Parasite Eve" |
| 4:51 |
3. | "Teardrops" |
| 3:35 |
4. | "Obey" (with Yungblud) |
| 3:40 |
5. | "Itch for the Cure (When Will We Be Free?)" |
| 1:26 |
6. | "Kingslayer" (featuring Babymetal) |
| 3:38 |
7. | "1x1" (featuring Nova Twins) |
| 3:29 |
8. | "Ludens" |
| 4:40 |
9. | "One Day the Only Butterflies Left Will Be in Your Chest as You March Towards Your Death" (featuring Amy Lee) |
| 4:03 |
Total length: | 32:10 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
10. | "Mantra" (live in Tokyo) |
| 4:23 |
11. | "Medicine" (live in Tokyo) |
| 3:50 |
12. | "Ludens" (live in Tokyo) | 5:58 | |
Total length: | 46:22 |
Notes
Credits adapted from the album's liner notes. [59]
Bring Me the Horizon
Additional musicians
Additional personnel
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Poland (ZPAV) [88] | Gold | 10,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [89] | Gold | 100,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | 30 October 2020 | [29] | ||
22 January 2021 | [90] |
Bring Me the Horizon are a British rock band, formed in Sheffield in 2004. The group currently consists of lead vocalist Oli Sykes, drummer Matt Nicholls, guitarist Lee Malia and bassist Matt Kean. They are signed to RCA Records globally and Columbia Records exclusively in the United States.
British rock band Bring Me the Horizon have released seven studio albums, two live albums, two compilation albums, one remix album, two extended plays (EPs), one demo album, 35 singles, two video albums, 38 music videos, two other releases and three other appearances. Formed in Sheffield in 2004 by vocalist Oliver Sykes, guitarists Lee Malia and Curtis Ward, bassist Matt Kean and drummer Matt Nicholls, the band released their debut EP This Is What the Edge of Your Seat Was Made For on Thirty Days of Nights Records in 2005, which reached number 41 on the UK Budget Albums Chart. After signing with British independent record label Visible Noise, the group released their debut full-length studio album Count Your Blessings in 2006, which reached the top 100 of the UK Albums Chart and the top 10 of the UK Rock & Metal Albums Chart. The 2008 follow-up Suicide Season reached the UK top 50 and charted in the US for the first time when it reached number 107 on the Billboard 200. In November 2009, an expanded version of the album titled Suicide Season Cut Up! was released, featuring remixes and videos.
There Is a Hell Believe Me I've Seen It. There Is a Heaven Let's Keep It a Secret. is the third studio album by British rock band Bring Me the Horizon. It was released on 4 October 2010 by Visible Noise. The album was produced by Fredrik Nordström and Henrick Udd at IF Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden, with additional work at Sunset Lodge Studios in Los Angeles, California. It features guest vocals from Canadian singer Lights, British singer Josh Franceschi, and American vocalist Josh Scogin.
Oliver Scott Sykes is a British singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and primary lyricist of the rock band Bring Me the Horizon. He also founded the apparel company Drop Dead Clothing, and created a graphic novel.
Sempiternal is the fourth studio album by British rock band Bring Me the Horizon. It was released on 1 April 2013 worldwide through RCA Records, a subsidiary label of Sony Music, and 2 April 2013 in the United States and Canada through Epitaph Records. It is the first album to feature former Worship keyboardist Jordan Fish and the first with guitarist Lee Malia playing both lead and rhythm parts.
"Drown" is a song by British rock band Bring Me the Horizon released on 21 October 2014. Originally released as a stand-alone single, a remixed version features on the band's fifth studio album That's the Spirit and was released as the lead single. The track, musically, marks a shift away from the band's previously established metalcore sound. Rather, it was described by critics as a pop punk-leaning emo and rock song, being the later showcased as arena rock. It is available to play in the music video game Guitar Hero Live, added on 12 January 2016.
That's the Spirit is the fifth studio album by British rock band Bring Me the Horizon. The album was released on 11 September 2015, and marks a departure from the group's metalcore roots, in favour of a less aggressive alternative rock and metal style.
"Throne" is a song by British rock band Bring Me the Horizon. Produced by keyboardist Jordan Fish and vocalist Oliver Sykes, it was featured on the band's 2015 fifth studio album That's the Spirit and released as the third single from the album on 24 July 2015. The single topped the UK Rock & Metal Singles Chart and the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, and reached number 51 on the UK Singles Chart and number 12 on the Billboard Hot Rock Songs chart.
"True Friends" is a song by British rock band Bring Me the Horizon. Produced by keyboardist Jordan Fish and vocalist Oliver Sykes, it was featured on the band's 2015 fifth studio album That's the Spirit. The song was also released as the fourth single from the album on 20 November 2015, reaching number 91 on the UK Singles Chart and topping the UK Rock & Metal Singles Chart.
Amo is the sixth studio album by British rock band Bring Me the Horizon. Originally scheduled for release on 11 January 2019, it was released on 25 January 2019. The album was announced on 22 August 2018, a day after the release of the lead single "Mantra". It was produced by vocalist Oliver Sykes and keyboardist Jordan Fish, and was written and recorded primarily in Los Angeles.
"Nihilist Blues" is a song by British rock band Bring Me the Horizon featuring Canadian singer Grimes. Produced by the band's vocalist Oliver Sykes and keyboardist Jordan Fish, it is featured on the group's 2019 sixth studio album Amo. The track was released as the fifth single from the album on 24 January 2019. Evanescence have a songwriting credit, as it lifts vocal melodies from "Never Go Back".
"Medicine" is a song by British rock band Bring Me the Horizon. Produced by the band's vocalist Oliver Sykes and keyboardist Jordan Fish, it is featured on the group's 2019 sixth studio album Amo. The track was released as the third single from the album on 3 January 2019.
"Mother Tongue" is a song by British rock band Bring Me the Horizon. Produced by the band's vocalist Oliver Sykes and keyboardist Jordan Fish, it is featured on the group's 2019 sixth studio album Amo. The track was released as the fourth single from the album on 22 January 2019 and has spent twelve non-consecutive weeks on the UK Rock & Metal Singles Chart as of July 2019.
"Ludens" is a song by British rock band Bring Me the Horizon. Produced by the band's vocalist Oliver Sykes and keyboardist Jordan Fish, it was released as the fifth single of the soundtrack Death Stranding: Timefall on 6 November 2019, and was featured as the first single from the group's 2020 commercial release Post Human: Survival Horror.
"Parasite Eve" is a song by British rock band Bring Me the Horizon. Produced by the band's vocalist Oliver Sykes and keyboardist Jordan Fish and written by the entire band, it was released as the second single from the group's 2020 commercial release Post Human: Survival Horror on 25 June 2020. The song samples "Erghen Diado" written by Petar Lyondev and performed by the Bulgarian Female Vocal Choir; Lyondev is credited as a co-writer.
"Obey" is a song by British rock band Bring Me the Horizon and English singer Yungblud. Produced by the band's vocalist Oliver Sykes and keyboardist Jordan Fish, it was released as the third single from the group's 2020 commercial release Post Human: Survival Horror on 2 September 2020.
"Teardrops" is a song by British rock band Bring Me the Horizon. Produced by the band's vocalist Oliver Sykes and keyboardist Jordan Fish, it was released as the fourth and final single from the group's 2020 commercial release Post Human: Survival Horror on 22 October 2020.
"Die4U" is a song by British rock band Bring Me the Horizon. Produced by BloodPop and Evil Twin, it was released as the lead single from the band's seventh studio album Post Human: Nex Gen on 16 September 2021. The song peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in February 2022.
Post Human: Nex Gen is the seventh studio album by British rock band Bring Me the Horizon. It was surprise released on 24 May 2024, originally planned for 15 September 2023, as the second installment of the Post Human series, following Post Human: Survival Horror (2020). It is also the last album to feature band keyboardist and supporting producer Jordan Fish, as he departed from the group in late 2023. The album received mostly positive reviews from critics upon release. It features guest contributions from Aurora, Underoath, Lil Uzi Vert and Daryl Palumbo.
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