While She Sleeps - Brainwashed

The latest album from While She Sleeps has been such a comfort on my phone the past few months that I would be remiss not to include it here in AFGM.  While I am not overly familiar with the five piece group from Sheffield, their latest album, Brainwashed, struck a familiar chord with moi.  Since then, it has become a regular on my playlist for both the gym and for my cycling adventures throughout the city.

For those not aware of the group, be sure to look into While She Sleeps.  Formed in 2006, the quintet has maintained the same members since 2009, and has produced two full length albums (+1 EP from 2010).  Their debut album, This Is The Six, was a commercial success for the group, and debuted at #27 on the UK Album Chart.  I am sure that fans of the first album were only hoping the sophomore would live up to expectations.  From the reviews that I have read throughout the internet, it seems they exceeded them.



"Brainwashed is the product of anger and frustration directed towards a number of personal and political topics, and it is all the better for it. While She Sleeps can now press on and regain their status as one of Britain’s prestigious exports – not that they ever lost it, mind you." -MOSH

So for some details, Brainwashed was released on March 23rd, 2015 via Search and Destroy Records/Sony Music.  Production was handled by Carl Brown (Trivum), mixing was handled by Ted Jansen (Tremonti, Kid Rock, 3 Doors Down, Florence + the Machine, Breaking Benjamin, etc), and mixing was handled by Colin Richardson (Machine Head, Slipknot, Trivium, As I Lay Dying, Chimaira, DevilDriver, etc).

(Album artwork courtesy of While She Sleeps and Search and Destroy Records/Sony Music)

1. The Divide
2. New World Torture*
3. Your Evolution (Deluxe Edition CD)
4. Brainwashed*
5. We Are Alive At Night (Deluxe Edition CD)
6. Our Legacy*
7. Four Walls*
8. Torment
9. Kangaeuzu Ni
10. Life In Tension
11. Trophies of Violence*
12. No Sides, No Enemies
13. The Woods (Deluxe Edition CD)
14. Method In Madness
15. Modern Minds

(* = AFGM Recommendations)

While I do not feel these guys are reinventing the genre, or throwing something completely different at us, but they paint a great picture for what a metalcore band can sound like with proper song writing, energy, and tenacity.  Lawrence "Loz" Taylor's vocals have come up in numerous album reviews citing some excellent lyrical content and pitch for some of their hit songs that have been embedded into this article.  All in all, the music is very tight, the structure of the albums can be both anticipated and surprising, and the final product is very refined.

"‘Brainwashed’ is a rallying call, harnessing the intense power of all their past personal pressure and recapturing that thrumming, era defining vitality which sees them remain scene kingpins. We can tell that While She Sleeps have come back from the very brink, and they sound all the more unified for it. A more than welcome return." -Dead Press

Holy fucking shit are we glad for the return of While She Sleeps and enjoying the fuck out of Brainwashed. WSS have done the unthinkable and out done their tremendous debut This Is The Six. The three years that've spanned the two releases have been torment for the band with concerns over their continued existence. We chatted to the guys at House Of Vans as the they hosted an all day take over. -Metal Hammer Official

So I hope that the videos and the reviews have given you the urge to check out the rest of WSS' catalog.  For a band that has only produced two full length albums, there is a lot of hype behind this quintet.  After spending countless times repeating the album over and over, I can fully understand people's enthusiasm.  I cannot wait to see what 2016 touring schedule holds for the group!