REVIEW: Assimilate - Gallows Humour

Assimilate, a metal band from Watford, Hertfordshire, bring us their new 10-track album “Gallows Humour”, produced by Taylor X.

Photo credit: Assimilate

This four-piece band impact us with a splice of nu-metal, alt rock, and hardcore punk, and it’s a mix that hits perfectly when conveying deep emotions. Assimilate are a band I’ve known for some time, and every time I’ve seen them live they’ve put on the most phenomenal show. They have unmatched energy and stage presence. Things are flying, people are flying, and the crowds are always super into it, so I was excited to see more music was heading our way in the form of their third album.

We start off with “Hell on Earth”, and boy does it hit good. After a little introduction, the true nature of the song comes in. It speeds up, it thickens, it intensifies. The whispers “Hell on” then a punchy “Earth” give another level of angst. A strong start, and a great pick for the first track. We’re seeing Assimilate emerge into their next era.

I want to jump to track three here, because “No End in Sight” is a shining star on this record. It stands out, with it’s elevator music/old school intro before jumping into the pit. The style of heavy vocals here are some of my favourite. The clean vocals are also incredibly complimentary. I get a dose of strong imagery in this song too, showcasing a dark place and a lot of heaviness. It feels like the track becomes a theme song to a something much bigger.

Album title track “Gallows Humour” gives us something I don’t think I’ve seen from Assimilate before. It’s slower to start, which for an album titled track seems rare, but it works well. Having this contrast makes it stand out, and in a really good way. It’s well paced and hard-hitting.

“It's our third full length album.” Frontman Jake Aston says. “It was recorded between February and September 2024. It's longest we've ever spent trying to make an album and there was a lot of friction and struggle in the band during the process. It's our first LP with a different producer. We worked with Taylor X, who usually specialises in electronic music, and the lyrics aren't purely personal like the last album. A lot of the album focusses on political/ethical/social issues.”

Assimilate have always released very personal music, which has told a story. Whether it’s exploring dementia, loss, depression, or the woes of navigating life, Assimilate are great at biting into those wounds and allowing us to peer into them, so steering into a more political album is something new, though not unexpected. Band aside, vocalist Jake Aston uses his social media platforms to openly discuss political and ethical issues, creating a new YouTube channel for his content - especially on the subject of animal welfare.

We’re already head banging to “You’re Not Yours” as soon as it starts. This is one for the live setlist for sure. It builds nicely, delving into more themes around manipulation and other narratives that the rest of the album holds. It’s gritty, and also smooth in the transitions between verses and the chorus.

“Reminiscence” is another favourite (it just seems too easy on this record). It has some eeriness to it, and feels a bit more explorative with its sound. It starts off softer, then goes back into the heaviness. “Sleepwalking through my own mind” is a nice visual lyric that really offers some kind of immersion, again with those nice clean vocals coming through. We near the end of the song, and the guitars come back from the mist, before absolutely flinging us into a brutal ending. This is a heavy headbanger, and honestly it’s perfect.

Image credit: Assimilate

The album ends with “Shadow of Yourself” and it’s a track that took me by surprise. Lyrically, it’s fantastic. There’s so much raw emotion that is carried through this song, and it’s another favourite from the entire record. You can here the melancholy in the guitars, and the small segments of heavy vocals really help to build on the emotions. It hits hard, and I couldn’t have picked a better track to end the record with for the impact it delivers. It’s strong, but also gets you to sort of take a breath as it unfolds.

All in all, it’s a stellar album. I’m loving the direction the band is going in with their sound. It has evolved, as have they. I can’t wait to see some of these tracks get played at a live show in the future.

Reviewed by: Courtney Wallace

Score: 9/10

You can find Assimilate on Spotify here.

You can also find them on Instagram here.