Christopher Adam, the driving force behind Refiner,
joined Rottweiler Records in early 2025 and
quickly made his presence known. A multi-instrumentalist with a sharp instinct
for blending aggression and melody, he introduced Refiner
as a project meant to explore the more emotional side of metalcore, with
layers of electronics and atmosphere. After two EPs, “Return To Dust” and “Mistake”,
this self-titled album arrives to pull all his creations together into one
unified release, enriched with a few new ideas.
The album opens with “All
Aboard”, an introduction that builds a sense of excitement before “Not The End”
lands with massive guitars and strong, determined energy. The song has an
uplifting tone that matches its lyrical push toward resilience. “Upside Uʍop”
brings in a darker groove, where electronic elements move against the heavy
riffs in an interesting way. “Return To Dust” sounds the most anthemic, with
melodies that stick easily and choruses that hit an emotional nerve without
becoming melodramatic.
The physical release
adds instrumental versions of each track, which underline the structure of the
songs and how well the electronic and metalcore elements blend together. The
remix “God Doesn’t Make Mistakes” closes the album on a slightly different
tone, more experimental and layered, while the radio edit of “Return To Dust”
serves as a condensed reminder of the album’s main focus.
Overall, Refiner is a cohesive and thoughtful project. The
sound is tight and consistent, the production has punch, and Christopher Adam’s songwriting shows sincerity. It
doesn’t aim to overwhelm with technicality or overproduction, it’s
straightforward, emotional, and designed to leave an impression through energy
and honesty. For fans of Neck Of The Woods, Bleeding Through, and My
Place Was Taken, this album will offer a familiar yet engaging
experience, one that blends heaviness with reflection. It might not shake the
foundations of metalcore but it has a clear sense of purpose and identity.
Score: 6.5
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