The album that captured the feeling of the world ending
In short: Bring Me the Horizon traded touring for isolation in the Lake District to craft Sempiternal. The result was a sonic paradox: an aggressive, electronic-heavy record that frontman Oliver Sykes described as possessing a euphoric "happy sad" feeling, sounding like a soundtrack to the apocalypse.
Sempiternal represents a pivotal shift for Bring Me the Horizon, moving from independent roots to a major label deal with RCA Records. While the band feared that signing with a powerhouse like Sony Music would force them into making "radio-friendly" music, the label actually encouraged them to write their heaviest work yet. Instead of leaning solely into aggression, the band synthesized diverse influences including nu metal, ambient music, pop, and reggae, alongside the "weird pianos" found in Danny Boyle film soundtracks.
The album's architecture was shaped by a deliberate move toward isolation. After finishing their previous tour in 2011, the band stopped all media appearances to focus on writing. They chose the Lake District for its solitude, though they struggled with a long break from songwriting. A key catalyst for the new sound was producer Terry Date—known for his work with Deftones and Pantera—and keyboardist Jordan Fish. Fish transitioned from an outside collaborator to an "essential" leader in composition, helping craft heavy electronica loops like those found in the opening track, "Can You Feel My Heart."
Lyrically, Sempiternal serves as a self-reflective companion to their previous dark record. While that album explored depression, Sempiternal focuses on managing stress and analyzing the consequences of one's actions. Sykes utilized a "yin-and-yang" structure to explore these themes, often polarizing lyrics with opposing sentiments. The project also carries anti-religious undertones, specifically addressing personal experiences where faith was suggested as a cure for mental health struggles.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Sempiternal (album)
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