AN NCS PREMIERE: BORNBROKEN — “HOW STRONG YOU ARE”

Aug 282024

If you’re born broken, what do you do? Do you succumb to the idea that you’re fated to failure and become motionless or manipulative, or do you put away excuses and find out how strong you really are?

The Montreal band BornBroken have their own clear answer to that question, and provide it in the song we’re premiering today — “How Strong You Are” — from their forthcoming album (which seems to ask its own related question), Am I Invisible.

L-R: Mike Marino (Bass) | Michael Decker (Vocals/Guitar) | Rob Henx (Lead Guitar) | Carlos Ojeda (Drums)
photo by Eric Sanchez

As you might expect from what we’ve said so far, the song includes an anthemic and inspirational chorus, where the vocals rise into impassioned singing. But don’t expect music that feels like it’s seeing the world through rose-colored glasses. The music itself puts up with no excuses, but instead punches fast and damned hard.

Backed by battering percussion and thundering basslines, the song includes fiery, writhing riffage and hard-slugging, high-howling hardcore fury. It does soar in the catchy chorus, but even there the vocals also rabidly snarl, and the band always return to pile-driving the listener’s neck, punctuated by some start-stop bursts of high-speed jackhammering and gruesomely growled words.

On top of all that, the song includes a fluidly slithering and swirling guitar that itself spirals high, and a finale in which the vocals become truly harsh and scarring while the band inflict one last brute-force beating.

Here’s BornBroken‘s comment about this song:

“The song encourages listeners to take charge of their destinies and overcome life’s challenges with unwavering conviction. Featuring powerful guitar riffs and a driving rhythm, the track underscores the importance of inner voices and truth in the face of adversity. It is a call to action, reminding fans of their inherent strength and the importance of staying true to oneself amidst life’s battles.”

Am I Invisible is this band’s third release, but marks the advent of an almost completely new lineup and stylistic changes as well. Like the theme of today’s new song, it lyrically dives into subject matter that explores “existential despair, personal strength, societal division, and the relentless march of time”.

The album lineup consists of Mike Marino (Bass), Michael Decker (Vocals/All Guitars), and Carlos Ojeda (Drums). The official new lineup also includes lead guitarist Rob Henx, who joined after the album’s recording.

BornBroken will release Am I Invisible on September 20th, and it comes recommended for fans of Chimaira, Machine Head, Slipknot, Decapitated, and Testament. It was produced, mixed, and mastered by Christian Donaldson of Cryptopsy fame, and features artwork design and logo by Michael Decker and BornBroken.