Divided By

iTunes Review

Following their lauded 2010 progressive hardcore EP All of the Above, the Toronto quintet Structures changed up their musical style. Divided By eschews Structures’ previously innovative arrangements for a turbulent metalcore sound. Dark ambience and discordant guitars set the stage for the opening song, “Atlas,” where machine-gun rhythms blast alongside six-string temper tantrums and Nick Xourafas’ glass-gargling grumble drowns out the competing melodies. “Hydroplaning” follows, with Xourafas’ growls going head-to-head with Spencer MacLean’s feral shrieks. Underneath this screaming war, bursts of guitars fight for their lives before the song shifts gears to make room for melodic singing at the end. “Encounter” detonates with gang vocals before a maelstrom of pummeling drums and winding guitars hail down like fire and brimstone. Rubbing against the chaotic grain, the closing song, “/,” is easily the most melodic offering here. Fans of the progressive leanings on the preceding All of the Above may miss the unpredictable song changes, but Structures changing their game plan midcourse is pretty unpredictable in and of itself.