Review: Emmure - The Respect Issue

Artist: Emmure
Album: The Respect Issue
Label: Victory
Released: 5/13/2008



BSTscore: 54

Emmure is back with their 2^nd full length on Victory. The Respect Issue picks up where Goodbye to the Gallows left off, with a little refinement. The band continues to pummel listeners with breakdowns and flat out heavy music. At times, it feels like crawling through quicksand as the guitars are tuned so low that all the melody is pulled from the songs. Fortunately, the whole record isn’t that way.

The Respect Issue sounds like a Zao record one minute, a Throwdown record the next, and then tossed with a dash of east coast hardcore for good measure. The songs are fast, aggressive, and passionate. Based on the bands first album, this album is about what I expected to hear from the band. The only song that seems out of place is the instrumental “Dry Ice”. For some reason, all metalcore bands seem to think that they have to include one of these on their albums. It has gotten stale, and although it is the most melodic song on the record, it seems out of place.

Lead vocalist Frank Palmeri has a diverse voice that gives the songs that “change of pace” element. The majority of the screaming is raspy (ala Zao), but there are plenty of guttural, death metal-esque growls thrown in as well. The clean backing vocals add to the east coast hardcore feel. My biggest problem with the album is the vocal transitions. With the exception of “Chicago’s Finest”, which is hands down the best song on the record, the raspy to guttural to clean pattern is like a bad roller coaster ride. It’s like someone is punching you in the stomach around every turn.

If you are looking for a heavy, in-your-face album, then The Respect Issue is perfect for you. It’s passionate, lyrically and musically. It has little or no melody and if nothing else, gets the blood moving. I don’t think I’ll be listening to this much, unless I feel like grinding my teeth in my sleep…

Musicianship: 65
Vocals: 60
Creativity: 60
Impact: 30

Favorite Song: "Chicago's Finest"

Listen to Emmure