Album review: Memphis May Fire – Shapeshifter

Shapeshifter has a fitting concept. It sees Memphis May Fire diving into the ‘masks’ we wear in our everyday lives, and the struggles of wrestling with identity in the age of social media. Facing up to the need to be perceived and understood, the eighth album from the Texas quartet sticks to their usual brand of metalcore, mixing heavier chunks and fry vocals with a more melodic side.

Opener Chaotic kicks things off promisingly, carried by a heavy groove as vocalist Matty Mullins implores the romanticism of depression and the ways in which mayhem and self sabotage can become addictive. Guitar and bass work together in a meaty blend here, and a later breakdown is dusted with some satisfying ‘blegh’s. Infection is similarly strong, featuring more feral, back-of-the-throat ad-libs, a gruesome finale cough, and with repeated screams of ‘die’, it certainly doesn’t hold back.

Moving further into the record however, its lyrical content starts to lose potency, and it feels like we’re being fed the same messages over and over again. Necessary Evil stands out as an offering that is a little more creative, with its stompy rhythms and heavier drumming patterns, but elsewhere the anticipation they set up at the very beginning seems to simmer out. Similarly to 2023’s Remade In Misery, it feels like things have been played safe.

On the whole, Shapeshifter deserves flowers for its playful production, and the individual pockets of instrumental flair, but it falls a little short when it comes to the delivery and exploration of its core theme. It’s definitely a listen for venting out frustrations, and one that will appeal to those seeking traditional metalcore sounds and familiar, heavy angst. It’s an enjoyable listen nonetheless, but it doesn’t really rock the boat. It’s definitely time for MMF to step outside their comfort zone.

Verdict: 3/5

For fans of: Architects, Polaris, Crown The Empire

Shapeshifter is out now via Rise