Deadlights begin new album era with 'Born Of A Lie'

New single, new video, and even new album news from Deadlights today in the form of 'Born Of A Lie.' 

The greatest asset of Deadlights' music is the excellent back-and-forth vocals of screamer Dylan Davidson and singer Tynan Reibelt. They've got the same kind of light-darkness chemistry that Spencer and Aaron from Underoath have. They are the ace up the Aussie band's collective sleeve.

Yet after a few listens to 'Born Of A Lie', I'm rather sorry to say that if you took Tynan and Dylan's vocals out of the equation for their newest single, you're left with a bland metalcore instrumental that sounds like any other core band doing the rounds currently. Right down to the pinch harmonics, jumpy guitar riffs, quick drumming, and the breakdowns. I wanted to like this, as I like Deadlights a lot, but I just can't. (Though that Morse Code-like synth line that plays in the verses is cool as fuck.)

[caption id="attachment_1109691" align="aligncenter" width="760"] New album 'The Uncanny Valley' is out May 21st.[/caption]

If there's one thing bands in heavy music are obsessed with writing about and sharing imagery of, it's the relationship between A.I. and human beings. From the old days of Fear Factory, to Crystal Lake in 2018, to ERRA more recently, Deadlights are no different on 'Born Of A Lie.' This is a song about humanity and creation, fake news and information bias, what's digital vs. what's real, and just feeling plain hopeless. Y'know, all of that cheery existential dread, generational loathing, and philosophical questioning that metal loves! Well-directed by Third Eye Visuals, who even 3D printed a fucking robot for it, complete with its own brain prop, the clip mixes a variety of technological, religious and apocalyptic animations next to the band playing within a church for maximum on-the-nose metaphors.

In the past, the band have tackled interesting concepts, but this one has been done to death by dozens of others before, and Deadlights' take doesn't offer a new or interesting perspective. Same goes for the generic song; I feel Deadlights can do better. Either way, they're a great band, and I'm still interested in new album 'The Uncanny Valley', which arrives May 21st!