When We Don't Exist

Editors’ Notes From the grandiose orchestral intro to “The Worst in Me,” it’s evident that Like Moths to Flames’ debut will be a monumental mountain of metalcore. The Columbus, Ohio–based quintet specializes in gargantuan breakdowns and towering choruses. Singer Chris Roetter (former frontman for Emarosa) steps up his game here as he commands the band with a feral rasp, sounding like his favorite cocktail includes rusty carpet tacks and turpentine. He ushers in Lance Greenfield’s propulsive drumming in “Gnf” with a deep guttural growl before railing against the song’s antagonist: an emotional neophyte about to be lyrically sucker-punched as Roetter drops his weighty words like anvils. The brooding start of “No Hope” detonates into a sonic cavalcade of chaos before a melodic chorus rises from the ashen ruins. The razor-honed lashings get more brutal in “You Won’t Be Missed,” where a similar contrast of heavy verses and melodic choruses hoist up a triumphant life-after-abuse sentiment in the chorus, making good on the song's title. The standout song “Your Existence” begs to be blasted from the Ozzfest stage.