Melted Bodies isn’t your typical metal band. Since their 2020 debut Enjoy Yourself, the LA-based group has defied categorisation by blending metal with sharp social commentary and experimental sounds. Now, with their sophomore release The Inevitable Fork out on October 18th, they dive deeper into personal and existential themes and offer a raw and thrilling exploration of life’s pivotal moments.
Where Enjoy Yourself tackled consumerism and isolation with sardonic wit, The Inevitable Fork zeroes in on the inevitable tough choices we all face in life with the same chaotic energy that made them metal’s most unpredictable force.
Frontman Andy Hamm explains,
“We all have arrived at, or are approaching our own version of what I call ‘The Inevitable Fork,’ and this overarching theme informs most of these songs in some way, much of which is very personal.”
Addressing the mental and emotional crossroads we all encounter, each track feels like a different path on the metaphorical fork in the road. Whether the choice is to embrace one’s flaws and start anew or to fall into avoidance and overindulgence, the personal reflections throughout the album gives it a thematic cohesion without sacrificing the band’s signature intensity.
With the members coming from vastly different musical backgrounds, Andy’s indie roots with Local Natives, Scott McDonald’s time in Portland’s post-hardcore scene, Houda Zakeri’s punk edge, and Ben Majoy’s experimental electronic leanings, the band thrives on bending genres. In fact, all the genres are on display in The Inevitable Fork, be it punk, hardcore, or experimental electronic music. The chaotic bursts of metal to expansive atmospheric moments allow The Inevitable Fork to stay true to Melted Bodies‘ unpredictable nature. It makes the album as unpredictable as the band and just as gripping while showcasing the band’s ability to create a sound that’s equally visceral and cerebral.
Exploring the tension between survival and joy, conformity and purpose, the music reflects the inner conflict and shifts between relentless aggression and reflective calm. It’s a powerful continuation of the band’s sonic experimentation and offers both a visceral impact and moments of introspection.
The Inevitable Fork is a thrilling journey through life’s unavoidable choices and it’s an invitation to confront the uncomfortable truths about life, choices, and the paths we choose to take. With The Inevitable Fork, Melted Bodies show that they’re just as capable of taking a more personal and introspective approach without losing any of the intensity that made them stand out in the first place.
