Album Review: Acres – The Host (Solid State Records)

Out on May 2nd, 2025, via Solid State Records, ‘The Host’ is the brand-new, and third, full-length album from the alternative metal band, Acres.

I genuinely thought Acres had hit their peak with their last release, Burning Throne, but it turns out I don’t have f**king clue what I am talking about. Which bodes well for this review.

I enjoy being wrong though, especially when it’s about music, and I was well and truly wrong about the peak of Acres. So much so, that I’m not even going to suggest that THIS is their peak, because it’s now clear to me that they’re a band with so many layers that there is no peak, they just keep climbing. Sometimes fast, sometimes slow, and sometimes with detours, but always moving upwards. This, their third album, is the personification of who they are, coupled with what they’ve learned over the years and given fresh life by their enviable urge to always do something different.

You’ll hear Acres, in some songs more than others, but you’ll also hear a band evolving, and God damn, isn’t that exciting!?

Excitement that is palpable as the album gets underway with the moody, yet vibrant, sound of Bloodlust. Acres pushing the boundaries of their sound, as well as the wider alternative rock and metal scene. All by creating burgeoning gloomy EDM-infused atmosphere that powers up in dramatic style, leading to an absolutely slamming end.

It’s a challenging start, but one that promises a hell of a wild ride, and that is only further emphasised by the crashing intensity of Not So Different. This is where you really hear their developed ability to create anthemic alternative music. You’ll hear Acres at their heaviest here, but then there’s the chorus. An outstanding listen, but so is Staring at the Sun, which also has a killer chorus. Here, old-school Acres fans will find themselves in a more comfortable place as this is a track with classic Acres style misery embedded within.

Dropping one of their heaviest tracks to date with Built to Bleed, Acres continue to showcase a varied palette. Here we have an eardrum busting, skull cracking, and bone crunching effort that just so happens to be impressively infectious, while not sticking to conventional heavy ways.

Things then get a bit bouncier with the strong melodies and excitable tempo of Your Goodbye, a track that shares plenty with the pop rock and pop punk genres, especially because of its chorus. Whereas Steal the Light, slowly, transforms into something exceptionally bright and daringly cinematic. Again, in an unconventional way that might have some initial head-scratching vibes, but by the end, will have won most over.

Finally, it’s the poppiest track on the album, the irresistible Around Again, and Acres at their prettiest. Even if its subject matter (broken relationships/toxic merry-go-rounds) is an emotional one. A very brave track to end on, but one that defiantly tells the listener that Acres are not the same band they were.

Acres have taken a bold approach to this album. Keeping it short, focusing on their strengths, and giving it an incredible amount of replay value. It’s seven tight listens, around twenty-two minutes of music, this is going to be played over and over again all year. Especially as it is so damn good.

Acres – The Host Track Listing:

1. Bloodlust
2. Not So Different
3. Staring at the Sun
4. Built To Bleed
5. Your Goodbye
6. Steal The Light
7. Around Again

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