Silent Planet is two for two on bangers for this album cycle, with Collider possibly outdoing Antimatter and being one of their best songs, not just for this album, but ever. Collider sees the band take on familiar territory with a new energy, reprising many of their signature styles in new perspectives and showcasing one of their most exciting evolutions in sound yet.
Collider starts of with an instantly energetic intro, constant eighths and a very loud atmosphere, one that quickly tones down as the verse starts. Going bold with the electronic influences, Garrett sings calmly for just a few poetic bars before they flip back into heaviness. Punching straight in with a gnarly riff and gnarlier screams, it's a short but strong section.
The chorus, oh my. Garrett has finally shown his vocal prowess at full potential, with some amazing full-blown singing. Stellar vocal melodies, perfect vocal tone with the subtle grit, and paired with profound lyrics consistent to their music. The layering and ambience is as robust as you'd expect it to be coming from them, but it's always a wonder to experience the soundscapes that they build.
The second verse returns to the electronics but with a bit more of a suspenseful energy to it, skipping the heavy riff and going straight back to the chorus. By the way, the drumming underneath the verses are groovy and I love the dynamics of it. Anyways, they swing by the chorus quickly and we get to the breakdown in no time.
The buildup is short but succinct, quickly hyping up what's about to come. The low-tuned guitars start to show, the growls take their place, and we get hit with the same riff from before but somehow nastier. I have to mention by the way, the slow bends in that riff are disgustingly good, and reminiscent of thall.
There's a little bridge that's half-electronic and does the job getting to the final chorus, and the last chorus is nothing much new but still as fun. They bring back the back half of the breakdown without the vocals to end the song, but that's about all there is to it.
Antimatter and Collider together make me very excited for what's about to come, because it seems like Superbloom is going to be a whole different sound from Iridescent, going in many different directions without betraying the Silent Planet identity. I'm absolutely looking forward for the upcoming singles and album release, and I'm confident it'll end up high on my year end list.
Rating: 4.5/5