Whether you love or hate Bring Me The Horizon, it’s hard not to be amazed by their musical journey. Starting their career with deathcore music, they’ve evolved into a band that explores a wide range of musical styles. Each album they release experiments with different sounds and often sets the trend for the time. Notably, their 2013 album “Sempiternal” – often referred to as BMTH’s Black Album – brought them mainstream attention and solidified their place in the music scene.

“POST HUMAN: NeX GEn” was a long-awaited and delayed album. The Post Human project began with the nine-track album “POST HUMAN: SURVIVAL HORROR” released in 2020. Before COVID hit, vocalist Oliver Sykes wrote “Parasite Eve” after reading about a Japanese virus and contemplating how a major outbreak could impact the future. Inspired by the video game Doom Eternal and Mick Gordon’s in-game music during the COVID-19 lockdowns, Sykes contacted Gordon to work on “Parasite Eve” and the rest of the album to create a cohesive sound.

The Post Human project was announced as a four-part series. Sykes stated, “Each will be completely different in sound and mood. This is something we’ve never done before. Our albums usually had an overarching theme, but the music always felt like a collage. That was great, but sometimes you want a soundtrack for a specific mood or situation.”

After four years, the second installment, “POST HUMAN: NeX GEn,” finally dropped on May 24, 2024, despite an initial release date of September 15, 2023. Shortly after the delay, in late 2023, the band announced that keyboardist and co-producer Jordan Fish was leaving the band with the statement, “Bring Me The Horizon has decided to part ways with Jordan Fish.” This departure marked a significant loss for the band, as Fish had played a major role in shaping their sound since the 2013 “Sempiternal” album and helping them fill stadiums.

The album opens with a 19-second intro titled “[ost] dreamseeker.” This short piece sets the stage for a new journey with the prompt “Let’s begin.”

The second track, “YOUtopia,” clearly pays homage to Deftones. It features a grand yet dark riff reminiscent of “Be Quiet And Drive (Far Away),” with vocals that carry a similar vibe. It’s a strong, emotional start to the album with lyrics like “There’s a place I wanna take you / But I’m not quite there myself.”

The third track, “Kool-Aid,” is one of the album’s highlights. Produced by Zakk Cervini, Oli Sykes, and Dan Lancaster, it hooks you with powerful drums and massive guitar riffs. Sykes’ unique touch makes this song shine, blending heavy instrumentation, impactful vocals, and thought-provoking lyrics. It’s a standout addition to BMTH’s discography.

“Top 10 staTues tHat CriEd bloOd,” the fourth track, deserves kudos for its quirky capitalization. The song deals with themes of pain, trauma, and self-acceptance. Despite the dark lyrics, the track has an upbeat feel, showcasing BMTH’s ability to blend pop sensibilities with rock roots. The production is bright and modern, with prominent synths that give it a synth-pop vibe.

Next up is “liMOusIne (feat. AURORA).” This track also has strong Deftones vibes, featuring a bass-heavy, grunge-infused sound reminiscent of ’90s alternative rock. The lyrics depict a toxic love, with lines like “Drag me down some more” and “I’ll swallow the ball for you” highlighting desperate longing and personal sacrifice. AURORA’s vocals float over the track, adding a layer of emotional depth.

The sixth song, “DArkSide,” opens with guitars and synths, setting the stage for Sykes’ vocals. It’s an alternative rock piece with BMTH describing it as a deep exploration of inner turmoil, mental health struggles, and battling darker urges. The lyrics convey personal conflict and the struggle to maintain control over one’s mental state.

“a bulleT w/ my namE On (feat. Underoath)” features a remarkable vocal performance by Oli Sykes and Spencer Chamberlain. Sykes’ blend of clean vocals and screams pairs perfectly with Chamberlain’s raw and passionate delivery. The song’s themes of heartbreak, anger, and despair are powerfully conveyed, with lines like “If Jesus Christ returns / We’ll just kill the fucker twice.” The collaboration with Underoath melds BMTH’s sound with post-hardcore influences, resulting in a unique and original track. An eerie outro with gunfire leads into a brief interlude.

The eighth track, “[ost] (spi)ritual,” might remind listeners of Sleep Token. It’s a trippy, atmospheric piece that I really enjoyed.

“N/A,” the ninth song, stands for “Not Applicable” or “Not Available.” It could also reference “Narcotics Anonymous (NA),” as Sykes fearlessly addresses his addiction struggles. The song opens with Zakk Cervini’s lines, “Okay, folks, we’ve got a new face joining us / Why don’t you go ahead and share a little bit about yourself?” creating a support group meeting atmosphere. As the song progresses, the chaos intensifies, featuring a catchy chorus that will likely become a fan favorite at concerts.

The tenth track, “LosT,” continues Sykes’ personal confessions, discussing medication and suicidal thoughts. The song has a strong emo vibe, reminiscent of My Chemical Romance, with electronic and pop elements. The high-pitched synths and vocal effects contribute to its chaotic and unsettling atmosphere. Despite its dark themes, it’s an enjoyable track with a fun music video featuring Sykes running around like Captain Jack Sparrow.

The eleventh track, “sTraNgeRs,” starts with Sykes’ almost sickly vocals and Lee Malia’s humble guitar. The lyrics hit deep, maintaining the album’s melancholic tone.

“R.i.p. (duskCOre RemIx),” the twelfth track, stands out for its electronic music elements, though it’s not my favorite on the album. However, it transitions smoothly into “AmeN!”

“AmeN! (feat. Lil Uzi Vert and Daryl Palumbo of Glassjaw),” the thirteenth track, is a standout. Featuring rapper Lil Uzi Vert and hardcore legend Daryl Palumbo, it’s a testament to BMTH’s efforts to evolve metal music. This track is a prime example of their innovative approach.

“[ost] p.u.s.s.-e,” the fourteenth track, is produced by Cynthoni, an EDM musician. It’s an energetic piece that’s sure to get listeners moving.

“DiE4u,” the fifteenth track, was the album’s lead single. While it received “tiktokcore” comments on social media, it’s a well-arranged song with catchy lyrics, despite some lyrical simplicity. Sykes described it as a song about toxic obsessions and the struggle to let go of unhealthy things, reflecting a victorious and emotional period in his life.

The album concludes with “Dlg It,” the sixteenth track, designed to close the album on an emotional note. It’s one of my favorites and serves as a fitting end to a beautiful album.

Throughout this album, we’ve heard a mix of metalcore, emocore, post-hardcore, nu-metal, hyperpop, pop punk, electronica, and alternative metal, among others. BMTH blends these genres seamlessly, creating a cohesive chaos that works. As one of my personal favorite bands, BMTH delivers a 10/10 album. I eagerly anticipate the next two installments of the POST HUMAN project. Bring Me The Horizon continues to evolve and innovate, reviving metal music by pushing boundaries and embracing change. The metal community could certainly learn from their approach.