Other meanings of Dark matter
Music
Dark Matter is the fourth studio album by American metalcore band The Word Alive, released on March 18, 2016, through Fearless Records. It marked a stylistic shift toward a more mainstream rock and electronic sound, and was the last album to feature guitarist Zack Hansen on lead vocals for a track.
The Word Alive began writing for Dark Matter in early 2015, following extensive touring for their previous album Real. The band aimed to incorporate more electronic elements and accessible melodies, drawing influence from alternative rock and pop. Recording took place at Interlace Audio in Portland, Oregon, with producer Kris Crummett, who had worked with the band on their earlier releases. The album was mixed by Crummett and mastered by Howie Weinberg.1
Guitarist Zack Hansen contributed lead vocals on the track "Pieces", marking a rare occurrence in the band's discography. The album's title, Dark Matter, was chosen to reflect the band's exploration of darker themes and the unknown, both lyrically and sonically.2
Dark Matter showcases a departure from the band's earlier metalcore sound, incorporating more synthesizers, clean vocals, and anthemic choruses. Critics noted influences from alternative metal and hard rock, with some comparing the album to the works of Bring Me the Horizon and Issues.3 Lyrically, the album explores themes of personal struggle, existential dread, and the search for meaning, often using cosmic metaphors. The title track "Dark Matter" deals with feeling invisible and insignificant, while "Trapped" addresses mental health and feeling confined by one's own thoughts.4
The album was announced on January 20, 2016, alongside the release of the lead single "Trapped" and its music video. A second single, "Dark Matter", was released on February 26, 2016, with a lyric video. The band promoted the album with headlining tours and appearances at festivals such as Warped Tour. Dark Matter debuted at No. 95 on the Billboard 200, and No. 5 on the Hard Rock Albums chart.
Critical reception was mixed to positive. AllMusic praised the band's willingness to experiment, stating that "Dark Matter finds The Word Alive expanding their sound without losing their edge."5 However, some reviewers felt the album was too polished and lacked the raw aggression of earlier work. Despite this, the album was a commercial success, becoming the band's highest-charting release at the time.
One notable detail is that the album's artwork, designed by Paul Romano, features a black hole, symbolizing the concept of dark matter. The track "Pieces" features guest vocals from Zack Hansen, marking his only lead vocal performance on a studio album. Additionally, the deluxe edition includes acoustic versions of "Trapped" and "Dark Matter", which were recorded during a live session. The album's recording process was documented in a series of studio vlogs posted on the band's YouTube channel, offering fans a behind-the-scenes look.
This article is about the album by The Word Alive. For the physical concept, see Dark matter.
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