Album Review: Miss May I - Shadows Inside

Miss May I's popularity is testament to their work ethic rather than an extravagant image or tabloid headlines. The metalcore mob's heads-down dedication has endeared them to many.

Although occasionally ignoring the template (such as the strikingly melodic Never Let Me Stay), they can still craft homogenised fare; chug-a-thons littered with bipolar vocal trade-offs, gang shouts and Swedeath-infused leads feel beyond familiar nowadays. But to the Ohio-natives' credit, they inject considerable passion throughout, roaring out of the gate with the title track and maintaining the rage through to Killswitch Engage-esque closer My Sorrow. A succinct 35 minutes, Shadows Inside may not expand their following much, but you have to respect the singular focus.