Snowblood is baseline ERRA at it's best. Everything you love about ERRA is here and as perfect as can be, and even though there's nothing particularly wild or out of the woods (like surprise breakdowns or weird mathcore riffs), this is just about the perfect song to represent what ERRA does. In fact, if I was ever to introduce ERRA to someone (which hasn't happened sadly), this song is definitely what'd I'd go with.
Electronic synths, screams over groovy djent riffs, soaring cleans on the chorus, great leads and awesome chunks, atmospheric ambience, solos and breakdowns. This song has it all, and every moment is so well-designed for both impact and awe. It's no wonder this was the first track, given how well it encapsulates their style.
The moment you enter the song, you can already tell you're in for a lot. The intro synth is quickly buried by an avalanche of guitar layers, and before you can get back on your feet, J.T. is screaming at you, accompanied by a sickening djent riff that is one of the best on the album.
Then just as quickly, the chorus comes in and Jesse takes over the vocals. His clean highs that have a bit of grit embodies the perfect intensity for this energetic track, accompanied by airy synths and dreamy guitar leads. Not to mention, one of the catchiest chorus hooks on the album, and boasting one of the coolest lines as well.
Straight back to J.T. screaming on the verse, I love the new riff with it's tremolo harmonic, it is quite a fun lick to hear, especially with the vocal cadence alongside it. I also love the sudden switch up into a chugfest, there is nothing quite as purely feral as good ol' zeroes.
Another chorus, and then out of nowhere comes a solo. Jesse's mastery over the guitar and unique style of playing gives us a very tasteful solo, that has a good blend of traditional solo-ing but with djent influences, especially with the tapping. The best part is how well it fits the song, with how all over the place it already is.
Doing what very little bands try to do and well, they have both a breakdown and a solo. After the solo ends, the way they transition into an interim ambient-focused section is seamless, they know how to design their soundscape. As they slowly amp up with added screams, and then a sudden chugfest, you can smell the breakdown coming, and boy is it good. It is such a classic 0-0-0 moment, but the headbanging is inescapable.
I do want to take a moment to highlight J.T.'s vocal range, he employs a few different types of screams in this song, nothing too extreme but they are all so robust and strong. Jesse's clean vocals are great too but it's just absolutely ridiculous that he's playing the guitar while singing, nothing else to be said.
I have to say it again, this is about as ERRA as ERRA gets. It's definitely going down in history both as an ERRA essential track and a metalcore/djent classic.
Rating: 4/5