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Hard Reset (album)

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Hard Reset
Studio album by
The Word Alive
ReleasedAugust 25, 2023 (2023-08-25)
Genre
Length47:00
LabelThriller
ProducerHiram Hernandez
The Word Alive chronology
Monomania
(2020) 		Hard Reset
(2023)
Singles from Hard Reset
  1. "Nocturnal Future"
    Released: November 17, 2022[2]
  2. "New Reality"
    Released: March 3, 2023[3]
  3. "Strange Love"
    Released: May 19, 2023[4]
  4. "Slow Burn"
    Released: June 22, 2023[5]
  5. "Hate Me"
    Released: August 4, 2023[6]

Hard Reset is the seventh studio album by American metalcore band The Word Alive. The album was released on August 25, 2023, through Thriller Records and was produced by Hiram Hernandez. It is the first release from the band under Thriller Records.[7][8][9] This is the first album to feature guitarist Jose DelRio and drummer Daniel Nelson, and the last album with founding guitarist Zack Hansen, who left in 2024.

Background and promotion

[edit]

On November 16, 2022, The Word Alive released a video teaser for their new song "Nocturnal Future", available on November 17.[10] On that day, the band officially unveiled the single and its corresponding music video. In addition, the band also announced that they had parted ways with Fearless Records and signed with Thriller Records.[11][12][13]

On March 3, 2023, the band published the second single "New Reality" along with an accompanying music video.[14] On May 19, the band premiered the third single "Strange Love".[15] On June 22, the band released the fourth single "Slow Burn". At the same time, they officially announced the album itself and release date, whilst also revealing the album cover and the track list.[16] On July 7, the music video for "Slow Burn" premiered on the band's YouTube channel.[17] On August 4, three weeks before the album release, the band released the fifth and final single "Hate Me" featuring Julian Comeau of Loveless.[18]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Distorted Sound9/10[19]
Kerrang![20]
Wall of Sound8/10[21]

The album received generally positive reviews from critics. Izzy Sheldon from Distorted Sound rated the album positively calling it: "Overall, Hard Reset is a very cool album, knocking bouncy riffs and punchy vocals along every step of the way. The range of features on the album also add to this experimental feel throughout, but don't take away from the identity that The Word Alive has created for themselves. A super enjoyable listen."[19] Kerrang! gave the album 4 out of 5 and stated: "Hard Reset is a beefy offering. Some tracks feel slightly weaker than others, but even still, there's no bad songs here either, just ones that don't feel quite as bold. As it navigates through existentialism and worrying futures, its overall sound comes across as far more defined than some of their older material. This record feels like the mark of a re-birth for The Word Alive."[20] Wall of Sound scored the album 8/10 and wrote: "Making a statement after three and a half years away, Hard Reset leaves no doubts and a trail of destruction. Musically monumental and bursting with life, The Word Alive live up to their name like never before!"[21]

Track listing

[edit]
Hard Reset track listing
No.TitleLength
1."The Word Alive Is Dead..."2:42
2."Hard Reset"3:29
3."Strange Love"3:58
4."One of Us" (featuring Noah Sebastian of Bad Omens)3:43
5."New Reality"2:56
6."Hate Me" (featuring Julian Comeau of Loveless)3:41
7."Slow Burn"3:43
8."Fade Away" (featuring Craig Mabbitt)4:00
9."A New Empty" (featuring Philip Strand of Normandie)3:26
10."Static Rain"3:27
11."Invisible Army"3:20
12."Nocturnal Future"4:32
13."War with You" (featuring Matt Good)4:03
Total length:47:00

Personnel

[edit]

The Word Alive

  • Tyler Smith – lead vocals
  • Zack Hansen – guitars, backing vocals, keyboards, programming, bass
  • Jose DelRio – guitars, backing vocals, keyboards, programming, bass
  • Daniel Nelson – drums

Additional musicians[22]

Additional personnel

  • Hiram Hernandez – production, engineering, mixing
  • Mike Kalajian – mastering

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c https://www.metalepidemic.com/the-word-alive-hard-reset
  2. ^ "The Word Alive Premiere "Nocturnal Future" Music Video". ThePRP. November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  3. ^ "The Word Alive Debut "New Reality" Music Video". ThePRP. March 2, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  4. ^ "The Word Alive Premiere "Strange Love"". ThePRP. May 19, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  5. ^ "The Word Alive Share Details For New Album "Hard Reset", Debut "Slow Burn"". ThePRP. June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  6. ^ "The Word Alive Unveil New Single "Hate Me", Loveless' Julian Comeau Guests". ThePRP. August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  7. ^ "The Word Alive announce new album, Hard Reset, and release new track". Kerrang!. June 23, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  8. ^ "The Word Alive announce new album 'Hard Reset'". Distorted Sound. June 23, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  9. ^ "The Word Alive Announce New Album 'Hard Reset'". Rock Sound. June 23, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  10. ^ "The Word Alive Tease Music Video For New Single "Nocturnal Future"". ThePRP. November 16, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  11. ^ "The Word Alive Sign To Thriller Records, Share Crisp New Music Video for Single "Nocturnal Future"". Rock 'N' Load. November 17, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  12. ^ Rogers, Jack (November 17, 2022). "The Word Alive Drop Spine-Tingling New Track 'Nocturnal Future'". Rock Sound. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  13. ^ Trevan, Kelsey (November 17, 2022). "The Word Alive Return with Heavy New Single 'Nocturnal Future'". Wall of Sound. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  14. ^ Aarons, Ricky (March 3, 2023). "The Word Alive Stream Fresh Release 'New Reality'". Wall of Sound. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  15. ^ Aarons, Ricky (May 19, 2023). "The Word Alive Hit Their Peak On Post-Hardcore Induction 'Strange Love'". Wall of Sound. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  16. ^ "The Word Alive have announced a new album, 'Hard Reset'". Upset. June 23, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  17. ^ "The Word Alive Debut "Slow Burn" Video, Announce Tour With Dark Divine & Nerv". ThePRP. July 7, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  18. ^ Coward, Teddy (August 4, 2023). "The Word Alive Enlist Loveless For New Track 'Hate Me'". Rock Sound. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  19. ^ a b Sheldon, Izzy (August 22, 2023). "ALBUM REVIEW: Hard Reset – The Word Alive". Distorted Sound. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  20. ^ a b Roberts, Rachel (August 23, 2023). "Album review: The Word Alive – Hard Reset". Kerrang!. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  21. ^ a b "The Word Alive – Hard Reset (Album Review)". Wall of Sound. August 24, 2023. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  22. ^ "HARD RESET GUEST VOX PREVIEW - BAD OMENS, LOVELESS, ESCAPE THE FATE, NORMANDIE & FROM FIRST TO LAST!". YouTube. July 21, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
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