Review: The Human Abstract - Midheaven

Artist: The Human Abstract
Album: Midheaven
Label: Hopeless
Released: 8/19/2008

BSTscore: 99

When I first heard Midheaven I was left scratching my head with a bit of a dumbfounded look. For anyone that was familiar with The Human Abstract’s first full length, Nocturne, you would have expected something vastly different. At the time, I was a little disappointed, but that would fade with each listen. Gone was the prog-metal and screaming (for the most part). I really had to cleanse my head of all of that before I could truly appreciate this album.

Some might say the band went soft. Others might say they sold out. After realizing the band lost one of their primary songwriters during the recording of the album, it’s a little easier to grasp the change, whatever the cause of it. For anyone who did hear the first album, you’ll know the amazing musical ability of this band. Midheaven is no different. The collective ability of this band is only rivaled by the likes of Protest the Hero. There is another level and this band has it. The most obvious change is that instead of breakdowns, there are more melodies. Not stripped-down, boring melodies, but off-timed, progressive, elaborate melodies. Mix in the intricate guitar work and thundering rhythm and you have some of the most complete songs I’ve ever heard.

Nathan Ells did little to display the true depth of his voice on Nocturne. After listening to Midheaven, it’s easy to understand the departure from the screaming. His vocal range and overall melody is terrific. And while there are occasional screams from song to song, I feel the band made an excellent decision when they chose the new direction. Lyrically, you won’t find any verse, chorus, verse on this album. The “concept” approach is certainly not my favorite, but the strength of each song by itself is enough to erase my skepticism.

Every time I have listened to this album, I have been more impressed. There is a depth to each song that you have to hear to truly appreciate or understand. Midheaven is remarkable in so many ways. There are “catchy” parts that I have found myself singing when I’m not even listening to the album (“A Dead World at Sunrise”, “Calm in the Chaos”) and there are absolute technical masterpieces (“Metanoia”, “Breathing Life into Devices”). I can’t even think of another album I own that can claim both of these. That is saying a lot. I’m not ready to anoint The Human Abstract as the greatest band on earth, but Midheaven is one hell of an album.

Musicianship: 100
Vocals: 95
Creativity: 100
Impact: 100

Favorite Song: “Counting Down the Days”

Listen to The Human Abstract

Video Review: I Killed the Prom Queen—Music for the Recently Deceased

Artist: I Killed the Prom Queen  Album: Music for the Recently Deceased Label: Stomp Records/Metal Blade Released: 7/31/2006

BSTscore: 89

Musicianship: 90
Vocals: 95
Creativity: 85
Impact: 85

Listen to I Killed the Prom Queen

Video Review: Between the Buried and Me—Colors

Artist: Between the Buried and Me Album: Colors Label: Victory Records Released: 9/18/2007

BSTscore: 96

Musicianship: 100
Vocals: 95
Creativity: 100
Impact: 90

Listen to Between the Buried and Me

Review: For the Fallen Dreams - Changes

Artist: For the Fallen Dreams
Album: Changes
Label: Rise Records
Released: 1/8/2008

BSTscore: 90

Every once in a while, I stumble upon a band that I can’t stop listening to, regardless of the band’s strengths or weaknesses. Saginaw, Michigan’s For the Fallen Dreams is one of those bands. The band’s album, Changes, has been on repeat in the car, at home, and at work for a couple of weeks now. For some reason, it’s one of those albums that just clicks for me.

Musically, the band is something along the lines of a bastardized offspring of Misery Signals and Bury Your Dead. I can’t say they’ve stepped too far outside the box with their brand of metalcore, but the melody of the guitar work makes for some of the best sounding songs and breakdowns I've ever heard. For music this heavy, I can’t use words like beautiful, but it is close. On the flip side, the punishing rhythms will put you back in your place pretty quickly.

One of the glaring strengths, and yet weaknesses, of For the Fallen Dreams is vocalist Chad Ruhlig. It’s certainly not his fault, but his voice shares an uncanny resemblance to former Bury Your Dead vocalist Mat Bruso. First time listeners are bound to assume they are hearing Bury Your Dead. The angry, crisp vocals are a perfect fit for the music, but only further the comparisons. Chad’s lyrics are passionate and sing-along friendly, adding to their effectiveness.

Changes is an excellent album. From the anthems “Brother in Arms” and “Never Again” to the epic “Through the Looking Glass”, there isn’t a bad song on this release. I have to knock the band a little, as I can’t help but dwell on the similarities to other bands on the same genre, but it doesn’t change the quality of the music. The combination of brutal breakdowns and melodic harmonies is one that works for me and I look forward to more from For the Fallen Dreams.

Musicianship: 95
Vocals: 90
Creativity: 80
Impact: 95

Favorite Song: “Hopeless”

Listen to For the Fallen Dreams

Review: August Burns Red—Thrill Seeker

Artist: August Burns Red Album: Thrill Seeker Label: Solid State Released: 11/8/2005

BSTscore: 86

Ferocious. There's one word that encapsulates August Burns Red.

Technical, gifted, staccato. More words to describe the band, for good measure.

Consider me a late arrival on the August Burns Red scene. The first song I heard from the band happened to be "Composure," from their second album, Messengers. That 18-wheeled semi-truck of a track blindsided me with an aural barrage that I'm still recovering from today. That's all I needed. I immediately bought Messengers, which led me to buy the band's first album, Thrill Seeker.

I'll review Messengers at a later time. As a bit of foreshadowing, I'll just say that Thrill Seeker is a stronger effort.

So I guess this is a reverse review, if that makes sense.

August Burns Red is a polished metalcore band. The group has it all—complex riffs, ear drum dislodging percussion, complex song structures, and brutal breakdowns. Most songs cease to follow the traditional verse/chorus plan in favor of a more organic flow. Everything makes sense, and the evolution of the music is apropos.

Standout selections include the surprisingly melodic "Speech Impediment," frenetic "The Reflective Property," driving "A Shot Below the Belt," and schizophrenic "Barbarian."

I feel it's appropriate to give the breakdowns a specific mention. Thrill Seeker is littered with them, and they are seismic. Spectacularly seismic. "Too late for Roses" acts as a shining example featuring a minute long blitzkrieg at the very end. It is as impressive as it is devastating.

The musicianship is paramount. Guitars are expertly executed. There are lots of tastefully employed solo-laden sections with an equal palm-muted "chugga chugga" chord representation. The drumming is fantastic with a syncopated style melding just the right amount of power and precision.

The vocals are good. They do their part in contributing to the whirlwind of audio aggression. Thankfully, there is variety in the screaming, from high to low.

While there are definite standouts, Thrill Seeker has solid tracks throughout. August Burns Red didn't break ground on new forms of metalcore with this release. They didn't have to. In a genre that is sorely lacking decent new material, this album stands out as a refreshing surprise.

Musicianship: 95
Vocals: 80
Creativity: 85
Impact: 85

Favorite Song: “Too Late for Roses”

Listen to August Burns Red

 
August Burns Red—"Too Late for Roses"

Review: Cancer Bats - Hail Destroyer

Artist: Cancer Bats
Album: Hail Destroyer
Label: Metal Blade
Released: 6/24/2008

BSTscore: 88

Why beat around the bush? This album rocks. The 2^nd full length from Toronto’s Cancer Bats, Hail Destroyer is just about everything I could ask for in a hardcore album. The songs are catchy, energetic, and melodic. Using a straight forward approach to their songwriting (similar to the stripped down method used by Across Five Aprils on Life Underwater), the songs flow, keep the listener interested, and beg you to sing along. What else could you want?

None of the musicianship is groundbreaking, but it doesn’t have to be. The southern metal “twang” to the guitars is very reminiscent of Every Time I Die (Buffalo, Toronto, coincidence?). Each time I listen, I catch more intricacies that help with the melody, but you won’t catch clichéd solos or breakdowns; they are subtle and fit with the music. The band does a great job of mixing punk and metal into the songs to give each song a unique identity.

One of my favorite aspects of the album is the lyrics. Slightly twisted, but positive in the same light, the direct messages won me over very quickly. Check out “Deathsmarch” for an example of what I mean. The pop culture references in the song titles get bonus points from me. The vocals sound a little stretched at times, but Liam Cormier has a very clear delivery that makes singing along seem like 2^nd nature when listening to Hail Destroyer. There are guest vocals on three songs, including “Harem of Scorpions” which includes Tim of Rise Against.

This leaves me craving more from Cancer Bats. If you don’t have this or their previous full length, Birthing the Giants, I highly recommend that you pick them up as soon as possible. The band’s energetic sound is infectious and will have you listening to this on repeat for quite some time.

Musicianship: 85
Vocals: 90
Creativity: 90
Impact: 85

Favorite Song: “Harem of Scorpions”

Listen to Cancer Bats

Review: Everclear - The Vegas Years

Artist: Everclear
Album: The Vegas Years
Label: Capitol Records
Released: 4/15/2008

BSTscore: 59

I’d be the first to say I was skeptical of a covers album. Rarely does a band release an entire album of other artists’ material and have it leave a lasting impression. This release has a bit of “a way to bridge a gap between albums” feel to it, but at the same time, it serves as a bit of retrospective for the band. For Everclear, The Vegas Years has its ups and downs, but doesn’t feel completely out of place.

After losing a bit of their thunder from the middle to late 90’s, the band has undergone some lineup changes, but with lead singer/songwriter Art Alexakis still in the mix, the band’s sound has largely remained the same. Although these are all covers, the band is able to put their touch on a number of the songs. I think that with the eclectic mix of songs on this album, everyone will find a least one or two songs that are enjoyable. I definitely think the live Van Morrison cover is the best (it captures the energy of the crowd effectively), but other standouts include “Our Lips are Sealed” and “The Boys are Back in Town”. I could have done without the novelty, theme song covers, and a few of the slower songs, but it does offer variety.

Personally, I would say I was underwhelmed by this release. It is not a bad album, but it doesn’t really give me anything to remember it by or a reason to want to listen to over and over again. Everclear is still a solid rock band, even if their peak was 10 years ago. While The Vegas Years may have been a nice change of pace for the band, I hope they stick to their own material for future releases.

Note: All scores are based on the Everclear version of the songs. Lyrics were not taken into account during scoring.

Musicianship: 70
Vocals: 75
Creativity: 55
Impact: 35

Favorite Song: “Brown Eyed Girl”

Listen to Everclear

Review: Alkaline Trio - Agony and Irony

Artist: Alkaline Trio
Album: Agony and Irony
Label: Epic
Released: 7/1/2008

BSTscore: 89

So it’s been 10 years since the first time I saw Alkaline Trio and things certainly have changed. Something tells me I won’t be seeing them in a venue that holds 150 people ever again. The band is back with their 6^th album, Agony and Irony. Building off the momentum of 2005’s Crimson, the band has found the support of a major label and continue to surge in popularity.

All of that aside, the band has not compromised its sound or direction. Sure, through the years the songs have gotten a little darker, at times a little slower, but one thing is clear, it’s still Alkaline Trio. I actually caught the first single, “Help Me” on the radio (don’t ask), and I immediately knew it was Alkaline Trio before the first words were sang. Few bands have that impact.

I might always be a bigger fan of the band’s early material (who isn’t?), but that doesn’t mean that the new material should be ignored. For all the fans that turned their back through the Vagrant years, let’s get real, there will never be another Goddamnit, so let it go already. The band still has the ability to twist a dark song into a pop hook and Agony and Irony exhibits that throughout. Songs such as “I Found Away” and “Ruin It” start slow and dark and transform with driving melodies and catchy choruses.

Vocally and lyrically, the band continues to keep things simple, yet effective. Matt Skiba and Dan Andriano are still one of the best vocal tandems and carry the band’s melody even further. Skiba’s usual dark lyrics are scattered all through Agony and Irony. Some of the album is a little whiny, but listeners should have come to expect that from the band by now. Regardless, the songs are strong and meaningful.

I really feel this is one of the band’s most complete albums. It’s not perfect, but it’s something that I can listen to over and over without getting tired of it or skipping past songs. Agony and Irony delivers everything I’ve come to expect from Alkaline Trio and more. The dark and yet catchy lyrics and melodies pull the listener in and never let go.

Musicianship: 90
Vocals: 95
Creativity: 80
Impact: 90

Favorite Song: “Over and Out”/”Lost and Rendered” (tie)

Listen to Alkaline Trio

Review: Cataract - Self-Titled

Artist: Cataract
Album: Cataract
Label: Metal Blade
Released: 4/1/2008

BSTscore: 66

Swiss metal group Cataract is back with their self-titled 5^th full length album. The first thing I noticed was how the production has unleashed a more polished sound from the band. Their music hasn’t changed, but the sound quality provides a depth to music that I feel was missing on the previous albums I had heard. The album is heavy with driving guitars and thundering rhythm. I wouldn’t call it unique, but there is a solid mix of hardcore, thrash, and “southern” metal.

The guitar work, as with the band’s previous releases, is straight forward and adequate. It meshes well with the backbone that is Ricky Durst’s drumming, which is the strength of the band and album. The songwriting strength is exhibited best in the songs transitions. While the band mixes multiple genres into their sound, the flow of the songs is uninterrupted.

Lyricist/Vocalist Federico Carminitana provides a strong voice and lyrics that are worthy of the band’s sound. The best comparison I have is Himsa’s John Pettibone, but Carminitana has more range. His raw vocals fit the songs and the occasional screams are within the limits of his voice. Lyrically, the album follows suit with Cataract’s past releases, showing a dark and angry side that encompasses their sound.

While Cataract hasn’t done anything to hurt their standing in the metal community, I feel that they may not have done enough to help it either. Cataract is a good listen, but not a great listen. I would put this album somewhere in the middle of the road between technical and melodic, which makes keeps it from leaving a lasting impression. There are a handful of good songs, but not enough to propel the band to the next level.

Musicianship: 70
Vocals: 70
Creativity: 60
Impact: 65

Favorite Song: “The Separation of Life and Time”

Listen to Cataract

Review: Capital - Homefront

Artist: Capital
Album: Homefront
Label: Revelation
Released: 10/30/2007



BSTscore: 73

Long Island’s Capital brings an energetic brand of hardcore with Homefront. Pulling from the punk and hardcore sounds of DC and NY, the band’s sound is similar to Strike Anywhere and Avail. It’s melodic, yet aggressive and passionate.

The strength of the songs on this album lies in their simplicity. You won’t find elaborate solos or breakdowns, but the music is catchy and begs you to sing along. Vocalist Tommy Corrigan offers a clear delivery and very direct lyrics. The song "Disclaimer" has some of the best lyrics I've heard in a long time. Personal, yet not isolating. Keeping to their hardcore roots, the band gets their point across in a short amount of time, as some of the songs are better measured in seconds, than minutes.

I think the 13 songs on Homefront are a needed refresher in a genre that gets watered down at times. The band doesn’t overdo anything and plays to their strengths. The members experience in other bands give Capital an advantage over the majority of bands out there. I look forward to hearing more from this band.

Musicianship: 70
Vocals: 85
Creativity: 65
Impact: 70

Favorite Song: “Disclaimer”

Listen to Capital

Review: 36 Crazyfists - The Tide and its Takers

Artist: 36 Crazyfists
Album: The Tide and its Takers
Label: Ferret
Released: 5/27/2008

BSTscore: 84

The Tide and its Takers is the latest release from 36 Crazyfists and the band’s first on Ferret. After the success of 2004’s A Snow Capped Romance, the band’s 2006 release, Rest Inside the Flames, almost didn’t see the light of day. With a new label in tow, the band is back and as strong as ever.

To accurately describe the band’s sound is a tall order. I would say that they are somewhere between metalcore and radio metal (nu-metal if you want to get technical). It’s just catchy enough to be played on the radio, but at the same time, heavy enough to scare off the weak (See “The Back Harlow Road”, “We Gave it Hell”, and “Vast and Vague”). This album is very diverse and has appeal to a wide variety of genres. The acoustic title track completes the album nicely.

The strongest aspect of 36 Crazyfists is how recognizable their sound is. This is, in large part, due to the vocals of lead singer Brock Lindow. His unique voice is unmistakable, giving the band a true identity. The only real comparison I have is Daryl Palumbo of Glassjaw, but more melodic and less eclectic. With a decent range and a good mix of actual singing to offset the screams, the vocal harmonies fit the music very well. Personally, I think the screaming on this album is much stronger and flows with the music better than the band’s previous releases.

I think The Tide and its Takers does an excellent job of capturing the band’s sound and energy. For those that haven’t heard the band’s past releases, starting with this release is a good place to sample 36 Crazyfists. I’m sure you pick up on the things that have impressed me through the years.

Musicianship: 85
Vocals: 90
Creativity: 80
Impact: 80

Favorite Song: “Vast and Vague”

Listen to 36 Crazyfists

Review: Belay My Last - The Downfall

Artist: Belay My Last
Album: The Downfall
Label: Media Skare
Released: 10/2/2007



BSTscore: 74

I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised with this album. I had not previously heard of Belay My Last and I was ready to dismiss this as “just another band playing death metal” when I first put it in my CD player. I’m glad I made it past my first impression and gave The Downfall a few more listens.

This won’t be the first or last time I express my distaste for guttural, death metal vocals. With that said, I actually don’t mind the deep bellows from vocalist Jason Denney. His mix of raspy screams and clear growls is comprehendible and fits the music perfectly. For once, I don’t think the band would be better without the guttural vocals. The best comparison I have is The Acacia Strain. Another positive is that the band’s lyrics are passionate and angry. I like the fact that they are personal and I know that listeners can relate to them.

As for the music, it’s fast, heavy, and solid from start to finish. What I really like about The Downfall is that the songs flow really well. The trendy thing to do of late in this genre is to write a blast beat filled part, stop completely, play some technical riff, and growl away. Belay My Last stays away from this trap and I thank them for it. At times, the album is more metalcore than death metal, which is okay with me. Their sound may not be unique, but it is still a good listen.

Standout tracks for me include “Miss America”, “One More Foot in the Grave”, and the title track. The band exhibits an aggressive and effective approach as exhibited in the technical drumming and guitar work. Next time you are looking for something new or someone asks you for a good band they’ve never heard of, I definitely would give this a shot.

Musicianship: 80
Vocals: 75
Creativity: 70
Impact: 70

Favorite Song: "Miss America"

Listen to Belay My Last

Review: Children of Bodom - Blooddrunk

Artist: Children of Bodom
Album: Blooddrunk
Label: Spinefarm
Released: 4/15/2008

BSTscore: 78

Finland’s Children of Bodom is back with Blooddrunk, the band’s sixth full length. From the start, it’s clear that the band is out to pummel the listener’s ear with their brand of metal. As usual, the first thing that will impress on any Children of Bodom album is the guitar work. Blistering solos are abundant and impressive. They are backed nicely with thundering bass lines and drumming, as well as keyboards (Get out from under your rock, they have keyboards).

The lyrics and vocals are up to par with other releases from the band. The songs are passionate and angry. I still have my complaints with Alexi Laiho’s voice at times. He has the ability to produce crisp, clear screams, but for the majority of the album chooses to use a much raspier and harder to understand voice due to the pace of the songs. Think older In Flames (Yes, I compared them to a Swedish band, sue me…). I think that the vocals take away from the overall flow of the album, but are not horrible by any means.

Regardless of my nitpicking, this is another solid release from one of the heavy hitters in metal today. The guitar work alone sets this apart from other bands, and is sure to impress even the toughest critics. The band has received a ton of exposure since the release of 2003’s Hate Crew Deathroll and I don’t think that will change with Blooddrunk.

Musicianship: 85
Vocals: 70
Creativity: 80
Impact: 75

Favorite Song: "Banned from Heaven"

Listen to Children of Bodom

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

Review: In Flames - A Sense of Purpose

Artist: In Flames
Album: A Sense of Purpose
Label: Koch / Nuclear Blast
Released: 4/1/2008

BSTscore: 78

One of the things that I love about In Flames is that no matter what, when you hear them, you instantly know it’s them. Whether it is their early material as the forefathers of the Gothenburg sound, or their more recent material that has evolved into yet another unique genre, you can’t deny the band’s ability to stand out from the crowd.

A Sense of Purpose continues to push the band’s more refined sound that has been present over the last few releases (Reroute to Remain, Soundtrack to Your Escape, Come Clarity). It’s not quite thrash, it’s not quite rock, but at times it feels like both. There are a few more guitar solos on this release, but nothing like the older material. This is a crisp, melodic album that does a great job of mixing a little bit of everything.

Lead singer Anders Friden continues to utilize the strength of his vocals on this release. His crisp delivery accents his formidable range. The “clean” singing (if you can call it that) enhances the record’s melody and further carries the flow of the songs. The lyrics continue to focus on personal struggles and refrain from becoming generic.

There are plenty of reasons why this band is the pride of Sweden, and A Sense of Purpose does not disappoint. I love how this band’s albums continue to grow on me the more and more I listen to them. Most bands don’t release more than a handful of albums together, but I hope that In Flames continues to evolve for another 15 years. This may not be the band’s best release to date, but it’s close.

Musicianship: 80
Vocals: 80
Creativity: 75
Impact: 75

Favorite Song: "March to the Shore"

Listen to In Flames

Review: Bury Your Dead - Self-Titled

Artist: Bury Your Dead
Album: Self-Titled
Label: Victory Records
Released: 3/18/2008



BSTscore: 56

Bury Your Dead is back with their self-titled release. Continuing with what seems to be a trend with the band, there is yet again a different lineup. The notable change, but not necessarily noticeable, is new vocalist Myke Terry.

Let’s be honest, Bury Your Dead has never set out to write the most complex, intricate music. Their goal is to have fun and provide heavy, energetic songs. On this album, the band has gone back to the well again. I guess if it’s not broken, then you don’t have to fix it, right? The majority of the album has the same feel as Beauty and the Breakdown. One of the songs that caught my ear because it strays from their usual sound was “Year One” as there is melody and singing.

I would venture to guess that if most people didn’t know the band had a new singer, they may not notice the difference. Myke’s voice has a little more range and he can handle occasional singing to accent his screaming, but his similarity to Mat Bruso is almost uncanny. Lyrically, I can say that there is a bit of a new direction. While the songs remain passionate, I don’t think they are as “in your face” as the band’s previous releases.

With backing from Victory, the band has continued to grow in popularity with each release. While I don’t feel this is their best effort by any means, I wouldn’t expect the trend to change. I think the band has found something that works for them and changing that might be worse than sticking to it. I would have to lump this album in with the later releases from Throwdown. It’s okay if you want something to get the blood flowing, but beyond that, I won’t be listening to it regularly.

Musicianship: 70
Vocals: 70
Creativity: 45
Impact: 40

Favorite Song: "Disposably, Yours"

Listen to Bury Your Dead

Review: Bullet for My Valentine - Scream Aim Fire

Artist: Bullet for My Valentine
Album: Scream Aim Fire
Label: Zomba / Sony
Released: 1/29/2008



BSTscore: 83

Scream Aim Fire is the follow up to 2005’s hit, The Poison and the 2^nd full length from the UK’s Bullet for My Valentine. Vocal injuries to lead singer Matthew Tuck delayed the album, but it was worth the wait.

The band continues to pull from its 80’s metal roots with this release. Thrash parts are countered with melody. Screaming is offset with harmony. It’s a great combination that shows off the band’s abilities. The guitar work remains the band’s showcase and the solos and interludes do not disappoint on Scream Aim Fire.

The lyrics are generic at times, but they cover a wide range of topics. From the angry “Disappear” and “Scream Aim Fire” to the ballad-esque “Hearts Burst into Fire”, there is a good mix that will appeal to a wide array of listeners. Tuck has recovered nicely from his vocal issues, as any evidence of the problems is absent from this release. Bullet for My Valentine continues to balance clean singing with screaming in a way that is crisp and clear.

I feared that the band may water down this release a bit after blowing up with The Poison, but overall I think they avoided that. There are a couple of ballads, but they aren’t the clichéd “we have to do an acoustic song” type. From start to finish, the album flows well and is a good listen. It’s not ground breaking, but the band will continue to grow in popularity with Scream Aim Fire.

Musicianship: 85
Vocals: 80
Creativity: 80
Impact: 85

Favorite Song: "Take it Out on Me"

Listen to Bullet for My Valentine

Review: Himsa - Summon in Thunder

Artist: Himsa
Album: Summon in Thunder
Label: Century Media
Released: 9/18/2007



BSTscore: 69

This is the band’s first release with Century Media. With yet another member change, this effort combines the songwriting of Sammi Curr and Kirby Johnson, who have each written past albums individually for the band. The combined work of Curr and Johnson is both blistering and complex. Numerous solos coexist with heavy, fast-paced rhythm from bassist Derek Harn. The drums are thundering throughout as Chad Davis delivers punishing double bass giving the album a very heavy feel.

I have reasons to like the lyrics on this album, and I have reasons to hate them. I appreciate the wide vocabulary used in the songs as you won’t find any catchy pop clichés. On the other hand, I’m struggling to find a point to the songs. The lyrics are dark and have that “metal” cliché feel to them. I’d be interested to known the inspiration behind them because they are either really deep or really generic.

You are either a fan of Johnny Pettibone or you’re not. His guttural voice lacks range, but certainly not power. I have always been a fan of crisp delivery on past Himsa releases and little has changed on Summon in Thunder.

I think that Curr rejoining the band benefited the songwriting. It’s not that Johnson did anything wrong with Hair Horror, but Curr gives the songs added depth. Himsa is one of the few “thrash” metal bands that I can tolerate and the songs on Summon in Thunder have consistent flow from start to finish.

The band hasn’t knocked down any walls with this release, but they have established their sound as their own. I can tell a Himsa song almost immediately when it comes on and that can’t be said for every band. I think the album is a good listen, but it’s not something I can listen to on a frequent basis. I almost have to be in a “Himsa mood” and that isn’t enough to make my typical rotation.

The band has definitely gotten more exposure in the last 2 or 3 years and I think that will continue with this release. This isn’t music for everyone, but metal fans will love it.

Musicianship: 75
Vocals: 70
Creativity: 70
Impact: 60

Favorite Song: "Skinwalkers"

Listen to Himsa

Review: Across Five Aprils - Life Underwater

Artist: Across Five Aprils
Album: Life Underwater
Label: Victory Records
Released: 2/19/2008



BSTscore: 76

This is the 3^rd full length from Tennessee’s Across Five Aprils, but their Victory Records debut. Their previous releases came on Indianola Records.

Life Underwater is much more driving and raw sounding than the group’s prior release, Collapse. The guitar work is strong, with a nice mix and thundering riffs and melodic interludes. The rhythm section is solid and provides a good backbone for the songs. The band has certainly grown since their 1^st release, but little has changed since Collapse. The band has found a niche somewhere between metalcore and post hardcore.

I can say that there may have been some ambiguity in vocalist Brandon Mullins’ previous lyrics (if you weren’t listening close enough), but all that is out the door now. Tackling religion and politics without restraint, these are by far the most direct lyrics from the band (think Remembering Never or Underminded). As I have mentioned before, I am a big fan of using a negative approach (almost spiteful) to convey a positive message or different outlook.

I’m a little on the fence on the vocals. I felt the band’s last release was a big leap forward in the vocal department, but may have been watered down by too many clean vocals. That’s not the case on this album. The clean singing is still there, but it tends to blend with the songs a little better. Mullins has expanded his vocal range, but at times the screams take on the Mike Ski of Brother’s Keeper tone. It worked for Brother’s Keeper, but I’m not sold that it fits this band. I like that there isn’t fear of evolving or changing things up a bit, but this may not be the best direction.

Life Underwater as a whole may not as melodic as the band’s previous material (sans a couple of songs), but the album is tight and has a good flow from beginning to end. The arrangements are diverse, but not erratic. This is still a hardcore album, but you won’t find out of place breakdowns. Since the vocals didn’t sit with me at all times, I do wonder if the songs would have changed had the band stuck with the deeper screaming.

Across Five Aprils has a unique sound and isn’t afraid to try new things. I appreciate the willingness to change song structures and vocal tones without sacrificing the band’s overall sound and approach. I hope that the band continues with this direction and perhaps the next release will be even better.

Although this is a solid album and a good listen, it’s not one of those albums that pushed out everything else in my collection. It does grow on you the more you listen to it, but it probably won’t make your regular rotation. Now that the band is backed by Victory, I’m sure they will reap the benefits that other bands have. I don’t think you’ll hear this on the radio, but this album won’t hurt the band’s popularity.

Musicianship: 75
Vocals: 75
Creativity: 80
Impact: 75

Favorite Song: "Dreamer's Disease"

Listen to Across Five Aprils

Review: Killswitch Engage - As Daylight Dies

artist: killswitch engage album: as daylight dies label: roadrunner records released: 10/30/2007 by: rob tatum musicianship - 13/15 Not much need for improvement here. As solid as ever. lyrics - 12/15 Certainly not lacking heart or passion, but for every personal line, there is an equally generic line. vocals - 14/15 Howard continues to utilize one of the most unique voices in music. His voice is easily one of the clearest to understand whether screaming or singing. Backing screams are crisp and clear as well and are well layered. songwriting/flow - 14/15 KSE are masters of writing melodic, heavy music. There are occasional parts that will remind listeners of the band’s blistering early material and may scare off the timid ear. impact/creativity - 12/15 This album doesn’t reinvent the wheel and picks up where The End of Heartache left off musically. The moment you hear it, you know it’s KSE. Very solid from top to bottom. “now” factor - 13/15 Something about KSE’s songwriting has this undeniable pop “hook” even with the screaming and occasional blast beats. It’s hard to argue against listening to them and even harder to turn it off once it’s playing. future/prediction - 9/10 Although KSE hasn’t strayed from their sound, this album will continue to get radio play and increase their popularity. Their ability to write catchy melodies will inevitably bring them further into the mainstream. favorite song: the arms of sorrow overall: 87/100 listen to killswitch engage