Album Review: I Killed The Prom Queen - Beloved

“Never again will it be like it was before.” These words, uttered during Bright Enough, reiterate that after a lengthy period between drinks (for those members who aren't straight edge, that is), post-hiatus and several line-up shifts later this represents an entirely new era for Australia's metalcore royalty.
Axeman/clean singer Jona Weinhofen is the sole remaining founding member, but despite an eight-year gap they've segued between LPs so fluently as to suggest this could have been issued within mere months of predecessor Music For The Recently Deceased. Strings and synths add extra spice, as does Soilwork (still a major influence; see Thirty One & Sevens) frontman 'Speed' Strid, contributing his golden tones to Calvert Street. The Beaten Path also channels Swedish demigods Dark Tranquillity. New growler Jamie Hope, formerly of much-missed The Red Shore, lends a brutal edge to proceedings, while not being a million miles removed from ex-grunter Ed Butcher. Metal mastermind Fredrik Nordström returns as knob-twiddler, affording a sheen cleaner than a school dormitory on inspection day. Meanwhile, the presence of more blood-splattering beatdowns than a UFC pay-per-view will sate pit ninjas.
Ultimately, Beloved is a slick, hook-heavy albeit familiar record offering few surprises, and perhaps in 2014 won't resonate as it would had it been unleashed a half-decade ago. Irrespective of whether this wins over grizzled punters who belittled Prom Queen's fringes and American-pandering moniker during appearances on metal bills, it's primarily penned with satisfying their dedicated following in mind, and on that front succeeds.