Nothing More – The Stories We Tell Ourselves

Review

'The Stories We Tell Ourselves' finds Texas rockers Nothing More delivering a cracking set of tunes that marry emotional weight with proper heavy instrumentation. The lads have really come into their own on this fifth outing, tackling everything from personal demons to the bloody state of society, all wrapped up in a sound that's equal parts progressive metal and arena-ready rock. Jonny Hawkins' vocal performance is brilliant throughout - one minute he's screaming his guts out on 'Let 'Em Burn', the next he's showing surprising tenderness on 'Just Say When'. The clever use of interludes like 'Ambition / Destruction' gives the whole thing a cohesive feel that's quite rare in today's singles-driven market.

What really sets this album apart is how the band manages to be brutally heavy without sacrificing melody. 'Go to War' and 'Do You Really Want It?' pack a serious punch while remaining oddly catchy, while tracks like 'Tunnels' play with tempo and atmosphere in ways that keep you on your toes. The more contemplative moments, particularly 'Fade In / Fade Out', show a band willing to strip things back when the material demands it. Nothing More have clearly put tremendous thought into crafting an album that works both as individual tracks and as a complete listening experience - no small feat in 2017's rock landscape. They've struck that tricky balance between commercial appeal and artistic integrity. - Liam