By HANNAH ELLIOTT, tb-two* music critic, Robinson High

Grade: **, 2/5 asterisks

The name Flyleaf always rang a bell but I never actually knew the music attached to the name, but my guess wasn’t too far off. Over my years of being a music snob I have developed a peculiar set of skills, one of them being the ability to tell the general sense of music simply by knowing the name of the band. Usually names that emanate a certain cheesiness and fake rebel vibe such as “Flyleaf” force me to make judgments before I even hear the first song.

New Horizons is the Christian alternative metal band’s third studio album and it was announced days before the release that it would be the last album for lead vocalist Lacey Sturm. I will never be able to wrap my head around the reasons for a band to continue on without their lead singer, like Guns N’ Roses or Sublime, because the absence always leaves fans disappointed.

New Horizons obviously refers to the new beginnings in the distance for the band. A handful of the songs start off really strong and stray away from the harsh metal and forced vocals, such as Fire Fire and Bury Your Heart. New Horizon wobbles from rock to hard rock but maintains a steady, preachy vibe. I don’t like the “maybe if I yell it, it will make it more emotional” school of singing, but if you’re into that, then New Horizons wouldn’t be a letdown.

Fire Fire begins with really melancholy guitar, and Lacey’s vocals show diversity. Though the song is hard core, the melody is catchy and it doesn’t fall straight into the annoying loop of abrasive guitar colliding with harsh vocals.

Even if I don’t particularly fancy alternative metal music, I did find some softness amid the rigid screaming and guitar that makes it just bearable to listen to. Though the Texas natives don’t impress me, this metal might be your thing.

But if you are looking to try some new music, I would suggest you keep looking because I don’t see any substance here.