ASTRONOID – Stargod

The Boston trio Astronoid, comprising Brett Boland, Daniel Schwartz, and Casey Aylward, have always occupied a singular niche in the heavy music landscape, with their unique blend of shoegaze, post-metal, and synth-laden textures. On their fourth full-length album, Stargod, the band makes its boldest move yet, a deliberate and successful pivot toward a more accessible, pop-oriented direction. This latest effort is a masterclass in evolution and is arguably the band’s most varied and dynamic work to date.

From Blast Beats to Bright Hooks

The songs on Stargod are markedly more dynamic and accessible than anything the band has released previously. This shift feels like a necessary and natural progression, as the band had arguably exhausted how far they could push the original wall-of-sound metalgaze formula without rehashing their previous songs, which their previous album, Radiant Bloom (2022), occasionally felt like. The wall-of-sound remains, but it is less constant and more strategically deployed, found for instance in delightful flashes on the intros to the album opener “Embark” and closer “Arrival”. The result is a record that feels expansive without being overwhelming.

The songwriting showcases a band unafraid to experiment with new textures. Tracks like the aforementioned “Embark,” featuring a pop-y punk rock riff, and the slower, almost ballad-like title track “Stargod,” prove the band’s versatility. At times, the more accessible, pop-leaning passages draw clear comparisons to Coheed And Cambria, much due to the similarities in Brett Boland’s high-pitched vocals and timbre. This pop crossover choice, while not the most original direction a modern metal band could take, works brilliantly for Astronoid, resulting in an album with solid and skillfully written songs. Where Radiant Bloom was flirting with this direction, Stargod takes the full step.

Clarity, Control, and Passion

The musicianship across the board is excellent. Casey Aylward’s guitar solos remain scarce, as has been a constant throughout the band’s discography, but when they appear, they are tastefully delivered and enhance the songs. They are never flashy just for the sake of it, despite being technical at times. A particular highlight is the enjoyable guitar solo on “Love Weapon”. Daniel Schwartz provides solid support, with bass and synth work adding depth and texture. Brett Boland, in addition to his expressive vocals, impressively handles drums and guitars, showcasing remarkable versatility. His vocal performance is more nuanced and emotionally charged than ever, anchoring the album’s emotional core.

Stargod’s sound quality is exceptional. The mixing, handled by Boland and Schwartz themselves, is remarkably dynamic, ensuring the moments of aggressiveness and wall-of-sound have the necessary impact while carefully preserving the delicate and ethereal textures of the quieter passages. Mike Kalajian at Rogue Planet Mastering provides a final polish that achieves maximum loudness without succumbing to the compression issues that can plague wall-of-sound aesthetics. The balance between the massive guitar tones, prominent bass, and Boland’s layered vocal harmonies result in a crystal-clear sonic design. Even the delightfully dreamy metalgaze track “Dream Protocol ’88” retains its delightfully dreamy wall-of-sound elements while maintaining clarity.

Themes of Loss and Hope

Lyrically, the album explores heavy topics of mortality and meaning, dealing specifically with death and the loss of loved ones. These darker motifs are masterfully contrasted by the album’s uplifting and ethereal musical tone, often built around major chords and shimmering synths. The juxtaposition creates a compelling emotional tension. The lyrics are introspective and poetic, offering glimpses into personal grief and resilience without becoming overly sentimental.

A Pop-Infused Leap That Lands

Astronoid has matured significantly from their debut, Air (2016), which was defined by its ethereal metalgaze, blast beats, wall-of-sound, and constant vocal harmonizing. While their sophomore album, the self-titled Astronoid (2019), honed their craft and became more dynamic, and Radiant Bloom flirted with new ideas, it is Stargod where the band truly steps out with its most varied album. The risk of taking such a noticeable deviation from their original sound ultimately pays off.

Their approach feels authentic and well-integrated, and they have successfully moved forward without compromising too much of their core identity. This has resulted in songs that are both emotionally resonant and musically engaging. The band has certainly addressed one critique from their early days, the need for more dynamic contrast, which was noted when Metal Express Radio covered their NYC show in 2019, supporting TesseracT and Plini. Stargod is a huge statement that solidifies Astronoid’s distinct place in the metal landscape.

Astronoid is

Brett Boland – Vocals, guitars, drums, and additional synthesizers
Daniel Schwartz – Bass and synthesizers
Casey Aylward – Lead guitars

Stargod tracklist

1. Embark
2. Love Weapon
3. Stargod
4. Third Shot
5. Explosive
6. Dream Protocol ’88
7. Beneath The Lights
8. Depressed Mode
9. Vicennium
10. Arrival