In their initial 13-year run, Poison The Well established themselves as one of the leaders of metalcore. That influence has merely grown in the 17 years since 2009’s ‘The Tropic Rot’. For many, they considerably wrote the blueprint for metalcore, including the all too familiar clean/screamed vocal interplay.
Following album anniversary reunion shows in 2015, and more importantly, in 2022, Jeff Moreira (vocals), Ryan Primack (guitar), and Chris Hornbrook (drums) felt reinvigorated to write and record new material. Completed by Vadim Taver on rhythm guitar and Noah Harmon on bass, and aided by Will Putney (Knocked Loose, Body Count) on production duties, Poison The Well have returned with ‘Peace In Place.’
From the outset, this is the sound of a band reenergised. Hornbrook’s dense percussion battles Moreira’s blaring voice and Primack’s chugging guitars, as ‘Wax Mask’ quickly becomes a thrill ride, before a haunting melody briefly appears. There is very little let-up as ‘Primal Bloom’ punishes before ‘Thoroughbreds’ bolts out with a destructive stomp and intensity.
‘Everything Hurts’ sees a shift in tone, leaning into Moreira’s soaring melodies, before crashing down as he reflects on imperfect but mutual relationships, empathy and shared flaws. When it’s paired with the rugged, almost anthemic charge of ‘Weeping Tones,’ Poison The Well are firmly in their stride.
Throughout, there is a muscular and dynamic execution. Whether that be on the use of chugging and wide guitars heard on ‘A Wake of Vultures,’ that segues into atmospheric strums in its conclusion. This respite is short-lived due to the explosive drum work of Chris Hornbrook on ‘Bad Bodies’. Anchored by brief, hypnotic guitars and visceral words of “If I could crawl beneath your skin, I’d die afraid of what’s inside of you.”
Alongside moments such as ‘Drifting Without End,’ Moreira taps into an introspective frame of mind. While the musical weight of the quintet is superb, it is these flashes of emotional honesty that elevate ‘Peace In Place’. Its misleading title doesn’t entirely come from a place of angst, even if there’s a rawness throughout. It comes from a place of hope, one that reaches for self-acceptance.
‘Peace In Place’ ultimately proves that 17 years away has done nothing to blunt Poison The Well’s edges. If anything, the distance has sharpened their focus. ‘Plague Them The Most’ drives that home with a final burst of controlled fury, a reminder that the peace referenced in the title was never going to come quietly.
This is far from an influential band returning to familiar ground. Poison The Well consolidates their strengths across 10 tracks that offer plenty of longevity. For longtime fans, this return feels like running into an old friend who hasn’t lost any of their edge. While for those hearing PTW for the first time, you can’t go wrong with ‘Peace In Place’ being a solid entry point.
‘Peace In Place’ by Poison The Well is released on March 20th on Sharptone Records.
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