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First off, there is no better band making metalcore than Unearth. Unfortunately, this album does not show growth from The Oncoming Storm. If anything, this is a continuation of their last effort. III: In the Eyes of Fire is heavier and there is less of the clean singing, but there are not significant signs of change or evolution. The music is powerful, fast, and strong, as with every Unearth album. The drumming on this album is better than any of the previous releases. Trevor’s vocals seem more intense than ever. Their ability to write a great and creative breakdown is not lost even after 3 full lengths and a couple of EPs. Overall, you won’t buy a better metalcore album released this year and probably not next year. However, you’d be more impressed if you listen to their older material. This is leagues ahead of every other band in their genre and I can only hope that their next album shows more growth than this one. |
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Review: Unearth - III: In The Eyes of Fire
Saturday, August 5, 2006
Review: Bury Your Dead - Beauty and the Breakdown
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by: rob tatum “Tired.” “Too much like the last album.” “Just okay.” Those are just a handful of things I have said to describe this album. That is never a good thing. As much as I loved Bury Your Dead’s Cover Your Tracks, their latest release, Beauty and the Breakdown, is a pretty big disappointment. I spent an extra week on this review, just to give the album a chance to show me something that I missed when I first listened to it and unfortunately for Bury Your Dead, I’m still waiting… Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that the band did anything bad on Beauty and the Breakdown, it’s just that there is nothing new to offer when compared to the last album. I think it’s good for bands to pick up where they left off and then let it carry them forward with their next release. This album is like treading water. It sounds like a B side to Cover Your Tracks. There is nothing to distinguish this album from the band’s previous two albums. Alright, enough with the negatives… This is still a Bury Your Dead album. It’s hard-hitting and full of energy. You still can put this into the “moshcore” stack of your collection and listen to it whenever you need to let out some aggression (ala Throwdown). Mat Bruso’s vocals are still some of the strongest in hardcore music and the musicianship is still just as in your face as before. The breakdowns are still powerful and the lyrics are perfect for screaming along. If I had never heard Cover Your Tracks, I would consider this an amazing album. Too bad that isn’t the case though. This is still better than a good chunk of hardcore music being released, but I don’t think the band spent enough time trying to enhance their songwriting ability and thus released, in my eyes, a sub par album for the group. Writing music doesn’t have to be about reinventing yourself with every release, but when progression is sacrificed, it’s never a good thing. |
Thursday, August 3, 2006
Review: All That Remains - The Fall of Ideals
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All That Remains had every opportunity to “sell out” and tone down this record. They were getting recognition on MTV and received great reviews from their performances on last year’s Sound of the Underground. As a fan of the band, I’m glad to say that The Fall of Ideals picks up where their previous release, This Darkened Heart, leaves off and carries the band forward. Musically, the band did not reinvent the wheel for this album, but there is not repetition in their songs or structures. The guitar work and drumming are very strong and make each song just as powerful as the next. I especially like the fact that the 80’s metal riffs are not overdone and are a tasteful addition to the breakdowns and speed metal riffs. The band’s ability to write melody into such heavy music certainly has propelled them to the top of this genre. Anyone who listens to All That Remains has to notice the driving force behind the band. Vocalist Phil Labonte has one of the most diverse and talented voices in heavy music today. His ability to change from guttural death metal vocals to powerful screams to melodic harmonies is unmatched. The pure strength in his voice carries this band. The only complaint I have is that his lyrical style still needs some refining. This album does a better job of incorporating more specific lyrics, but largely, the songs are generic. Nitpicking aside, this is a great album. It won’t redefine any genres or get a Grammy nod, but this is what metal and metalcore should be. Heavy, energetic, and powerful. The Fall of Ideals is a good listen no matter what your mood may be. I love when good bands actually meet your expectations with a record. This definitely met mine… and then some. |
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Review: Across Five Aprils - Collapse
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It’s amazing what a few years can do for some bands. Across Five Aprils’ first full length, A Tragedy in Progress, was a very solid debut but it showcased the band’s youth and lack of cohesive song structures. That cannot be said about the band’s latest release, Collapse. This album clearly shows maturity and more dedication to the song writing process. The first thing I noticed about this album is that the clean singing, which was both awkward and out of place on their first album and even a bit on their latest EP, was much more fluid on this record. Although it is still a little off key, the clean singing really accents the screams of vocalist Brandon Mullins. I think that it is becoming harder and harder for bands to effectively mesh emotional lyrics and hardcore without being chastised for selling out or whatever, and although this album could fit that bill, I really feel that there is something behind this release. Musically, I can’t really say that the band has grown dramatically, but since the songs are so much more complete than their previous releases, it’s hard to criticize the musicianship. The songs are much more consistent in melody and no longer contain those random breakdowns that would throw off the song. I’m glad that they got over the whole “this song has to have a breakdown” attitude that seemed to handicap them in the past. I don’t think this is groundbreaking. I don’t even think it’s a must have unless you enjoy this genre or band, but even so, this is a very good album. It flows so well and no matter how many times you listen to it, it doesn’t get old. I’m impressed by the steps this band has taken in just a couple of releases and I know the future is bright for this band. |
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Spotlight: Protest the Hero
| bst spotlight band. Need something refreshing? How about something from Canada? How about both? Try Ontario's Protest the Hero. The band is powerful and melodic. Their music is strong and meaningful. Check them out on this year's Warped Tour. For more info about the band, follow the links below. protest the hero official website |
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Review: Millencolin - Machine 15 Format 2
| Artist: Millencolin |  | Musicianship: 75 |
BSTscore: 74
Sweden’s Millencolin has returned with another release on Epitaph. Machine 15 does an excellent job of exhibiting the band’s strengths and their evolution. I remember when I first saw this band in 1997, their songs were not as serious and over the fifteen years the band has been together, their music has matured. Continuing to capitalize on the sound that started on Pennybridge Pioneers (and continued on Home from Home and Kingwood), this album has terrific flow and melody.
Vocalist/songwriter Nikola Sarcevic continues to provide a unique voice and solid lyrics to mesh with the band’s sound. Again, it is the band’s melody that is their strength and prevents Sarcevic from having to push his voice beyond its limits. In the past, there have always been a handful of songs on the band’s albums that really didn’t fit, but I commend the band, as Machine 15 is the most complete album the band has released. I hope the band continues to focus on its ability to create excellent melody and flow, without completely neglecting their punk rock roots.
I enjoyed this album, but I have a feeling that others may not share my perspective. I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t know if it’s quite “punk” enough for the punk crowd, and maybe not “rock” enough for the mainstream. I think it’s a good listen from start to finish, but I fear that it doesn’t do enough to distinguish itself as something truly special. I definitely like the direction the band has taken with their last handful of albums, and I hope that more people will share my appreciation of this band.
Favorite Song: “Done is Done”