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ARCADE STORIES: DESCENT SINGLE REVIEW

  • 5 days ago
  • 3 min read

Yuwi/Mackay Alternative Metalcore band Arcade Stories has unleashed their latest single 'Descent'. Arcade Stories released their first single 'Submerse' in 2020 followed by their debut EP 'High Score Diploma' and several single tracks. Arcade Stories has shifted their sound over time from Alternative Rock to Metalcore, resulting in an interesting blend of

dynamic synths, chunky guitars, striking drums and emotional provoking lyricism. With several stand out bands emerging from Northern Queensland, it is rapidly becoming a hub for "one's to watch" in the Alternative Music scene. When the oceans have run dry, And there's no light left in the sky, All the shadows in front of me Is the future that could've been, Could we get much lower, Wish for this to be over, A relief from the abyss, Inching closer to death's kiss. I'm going to start this one off with talking about the vocals. Adam has a beautifully rich and clean tone to his voice which sits almost like velvet in the ear. He is able to flip between a heavier in weight style to higher and lighter scream and into a clean vocal attitude that provides a dynamic and well rounded sound profile throughout Descent. He is a versatile vocalist and the only thing I was left wanting with his performance (and mostly for selfish reasons,) was a BLEGH! to really pull the breakdown of the song together.

Lyrically, Descent explores the theme of what it’s like to be at our lowest point, regret and hopelessness, but with a glimpse of acceptance. Prior to its conclusion, Descent reveals a raw desire to experience more - love and pain alike, before moving into a place of brief calm. It’s this contrast of emotional openness to the overwhelming heaviness that helps give Descent it's defining edge.

Bring the end of our descent, Cut off all the thorns, We are floating on the edge, With our wilted roses, A single light in the void, That cuts through the endless noise, Do you feel lost and alone, Now that all the stars are gone. Instrumentally, my first reaction to Descent was "What a Bop!" and after listening to it many more times afterwards that view didn't change. It feels like you are in a tug-of-war game, being pulled this way and that as the track winds down and speeds up, taking you around corners and into a wall as you hit the breakdown full force. In general I can be quite picky with Synthesizer use as it is very easy to go over board and have it take over a track, however Arcade Stories use it at a very delicate level, enhancing but not pulling you away from the overall story telling experience. The music holds you perfectly in the space of frustration, despair and longing of rock bottom, while presenting the tranquility of hope as you make the choice to pull yourself out of the darkness and into the light. The vocals and instrumentals slide into place with each other perfectly for the narration of the story. Arcade Stories definitely has the potential to grow into something very special and I am excited to see where they go from here. Bring the end of our descent (descend with me), Cut off all the thorns (descend with me), We are floating on the edge (descend with me), With our wilted roses (with me).



You can find Arcade Stories on: Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube, Facebook and Instagram



9/10

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