Album Review: Injury Episode by Static Dress
Album artwork for Injury Episode by Static Dress.
Leeds based Post-Hardcore outlet, Static Dress, return with their highly anticipated sophomore record, “Injury Episode”, four years since their debut release, “Rogue Carpet Disaster”, that was met with critical acclaim. We have seen the band taken to many heights, with stadium performances with Bring Me The Horizon, performing main stage at Download Festival 2025 and touring with Underoath, their milestones are undisputed. With a deluxe release of the first album, a handful of singles, comic books and a Gameboy Colour Game, fans have been eager to hear when they get to listen to the new record, with that being said, does this album hold up to the expectations, or has the hype carried this project?
The intro track, lose the rain, incorporates a Silent Hill type of interlude, with its whispered vocals and PS2 inspired soundscapes. As the whispers become evermore increasing in volume, it segways into the first song questioning, which feels like an easy but familiar song for fans to get back into the world of Static Dress. It sets a mellow but fuzzy tone that is soothing and striking at the same time. The riffs are simplistic but have a major melodic sense of PANIC! Pretty straight forward with its easy going alt rock edginess and then you are slapped with a face melting breakdown, which gives off the “Yeah, we’re back” attitude.
Being that the band is influenced by Post-Hardcore, Alt Rock, and Emo Anthems of the 2000s, and stating other artists such as Underoath as a core musical influence, it only makes sense to feature Spencer Chamberlain and Aaron Gillespie on their track Nostalgia Kills. The absurd amount of screams that are showcased is enough to send even the biggest die hard fans of screamo into a frenzy, and that’s a huge compliment. An Elder Emo’s wet dream if you will.
Guitars are reminiscent of Thrice’s “Artist in the Ambulance”, whilst having a thicker, crunchier, albeit pulverising sound that is absolutely ear pleasing. Olli’s vocals, whilst may not be the most diverse, have a staple in not just his style but what he uses articulately. With the use of phasers, splicing, and distortion that can be quite ear piercing, the vocalist gives off a chaotic futuristic immersion.
Whilst there is a lot to get yourself lost in the album, there is so much atmosphere and story telling, and not just in the tracks but the interludes as well. Static Dress have always shined in making the listener feel like they are immersed in a story, and the world building further expands in terms of music and lore. Similar to their 2021 EP, “Prologue”, but on a grander scale.
Tracks such as …hospice, Adapter, and Adult Diamond have this touch of sad but beautiful, tragic but hopeful outcry. Blissfully nostalgic as it is soul destroying. However, this body of work burns brightest in its most gut wrenching songs that pull no punches, namely: Pharmacy Film, Malebomb, and Classic. Death. Pose.
Somewhere past the halfway point the album does feel like it drags on a bit too long, particularly in the track dull blade disguise, which does bring a “same same” vibe that previous tracks had already presented. However, the following track, Classic. Death. Pose. is a striking, unrelenting 2 minutes monster of a song. Not only are the riffs, screaming vocals, and hard hitting drums giving every ounce of fury, the mix of the song itself feels more intense, even to the point where you may have to take a breather from how constructively produced that number is. It has this warm, piercing, fuzz driven, almost nauseating tone, which is chefs kiss.
Not a lesson to be endured but one to go from… eases its way into the final track on the album with a simple “Gooodbye”. Treading is an explosive, raw and melancholic ending that feels bittersweet in edgy crunchy aggression. After consuming each track you will be left with a heart-wrenching ache that will make you want to start the album from the beginning.
“Injury Episode” sticks to what the band does best and goes as far as it can. A love letter to our teenage angst modernised in glorious fashion.
FFO: Underoath, At The Drive-in, Fleshwater
SCORE: 8/10
Injury Episode is out NOW on all streaming platforms via Sumerian Records.
