Hold on Pain Ends

Audio Mixer: Kyle Black.
Recording information: Madden Brothers Studios; Mike Green's Studio.
Midwestern metalcore quintet the Color Morale make their label debut for Fearless Records with Hold on Pain Ends, their fourth album overall. At this point in the Rockford-based band's career, most of the original members have turned over, leaving frontman Garret Rapp to essentially guide the band's direction. Riding a wave of success from their 2013 release Know Hope, Rapp and his bandmates continue with their dark vs. light formula, waging a passionately delivered campaign that again pits hope against themes of abandonment, loss, and rejection over a backdrop of technically airtight metal and post-hardcore riffs and rhythms. Employing a pretty standard array of clean and screamed vocals, Rapp's chorus melodies are generally strong and succinct and he's at his best doling out the clean, more harmonic fare. What the unfortunately titled "Prey for Me" lacks in poetic grace, it makes up for musically with its bold arrangement and memorable melody. Similarly, "Is Happiness a Mediocre Sin?" also stands out for its strong lead riffs and heavy but accessible chorus. The use of glitchy electronic elements and occasional synths gives the record a strong pop element in many of the song arrangements. Overall, Hold on Pain Ends is a generally well-played and well-produced affair that should please fans of mainstream pop-oriented metalcore. ~ Timothy Monger