Shiverwood Shade – Pulling Away
Shiverwood Shade’s song “Pulling Away” begins with melancholy synths before the guitars explode with a powerful mix of punk and nu metal riffs. The pleasant vocal lines that lead from the bridge into the chorus remind one of Spiritbox’s contemporary heaviness, and at around 0:28, the vocals burst into the song with great rage. As the chorus approaches, the powerful guitar work and sing-along vocal hooks combine to provide a really vibrant and dynamic sound. The track is very impressive, delivering aggression while remaining friendly. A little smoother mix and less compressed guitar tone could help the instruments breathe more naturally, but even so, the song already has tremendous radio potential and seems ideally suited to live performances. A short stop for a cappella vocals around 3:05 enhances the impact of the last chorus, which finishes the song with explosive intensity and drive. Pulling Away’s strength lies in its mix of modern metal production and emotion-driven delivery. The band knows how to create tempo, moving from difficult verses to big choruses without losing fire. The synth layers also contribute to the song’s mood, giving it a modern vibe, while the raw vocal anger maintains its underground nature. Shiverwood Shade clearly has the ability to stand out in the present-day alternative metal scene, especially if they keep improving their already good songwriting approach.
