CD Review: Cold War by Of Mice & Men

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Cold World is Of Mice & Men’s second album since the departure of guitarist and vocalist Shayley Bourget. Unlike Restoring Force – the band’s previous album – Cold World is an evolution, rather than a revolution. Cold World scraps what didn’t work with Restoring Force and fine tunes what worked on the last album.The result is a solid nu-metal album with metalcore and alternative elements sprinkled throughout. Cold World opens with a movement of lighter tracks, starting with the relatively peaceful sounding “Game of War,” before throwing its audience into the more aggressive tones that Of Mice & Men is known for in “Pain.”

Although the album seems a bit too long in places, Cold World is this year’s equivalent to Bring Me the Horizon’s That’s The Spirit, as it represents a band ending its struggle and finding its new voice following a few years of unexpected events. If you’re a fan of metal music, Cold World is unlikely to disappoint.

Of Mice & Men
Cold World
Rise
Score: A-

—Brett Luft