Review
Buckle up, because Veil of Maya's 'Matriarch' is a fucking rollercoaster. Released in May 2015, this bad boy marks a serious shift for the band. It's their fifth studio album, and they've brought in new vocalist Lukas Magyar to shake things up. Taylor Larson from From First to Last was behind the production, mixing, and mastering, giving it that extra punch.
Now, let's talk about the music. For the first time ever, Veil of Maya's thrown some clean vocals into the mix. It's a ballsy move that's got fans divided, but fuck it, that's what growth is all about. They're still rooted in metalcore, but they're pushing into more melodic territory. Each track is inspired by a badass female character from pop culture, which is pretty damn cool if you ask me.
'Phoenix' and 'Mikasa' are fucking standouts, blending brutal riffs with catchy-as-hell melodies. There's even a guest spot from Jason Richardson on 'Teleute' that'll melt your face off. And don't sleep on the title track 'Matriarch' - it's a short instrumental that shows off the band's chops. Sure, it might not be everyone's cup of tea, especially if you're all about their older, heavier stuff. But you've got to respect a band that's not afraid to evolve and try new shit. - Nikki
