MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE
Mychildren Mybride
[Solid State Records]
Verdict: 7.5/10
RIYL: AUGUST BURNS RED, SUICIDE SILENCE and EMMURE

Since the release of their Unbreakable record in 2008, MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE have been on an unstoppable path of musical greatness. They have toured heavily and garnered the attention and respect of fans and peers alike. Faltering only slightly with 2010′s Lost Boy, the boys in MCMB continued along doing what they do best: Spreading their brand of religious and positive fueled metalcore. With the release of their self titled record, MCMB have managed to reinvent themselves without alienating older fans and without a doubt, this new, more focused direction, will bring them new fans as well. Starting off this crushing new record is the intro, ‘intro(Morpheus)’. It’s brutality will have kids at their live shows salivating for more. (Having recently seen them recently with FOR TODAY and STICK TO YOUR GUNS, I am here to tell you, they KILLED it. Best I’ve seen ‘em in years. – JH) Following that beatdown of an intro is a track that has had some doubting the bands validity. Writing a “Part 2″ to any bands more popular song usually signifies a lack of creativity, this is not the case with ‘On Wings of Integrity Pt. II’ as it actually has a life of it’s own, separate from the 2008 rager, only sharing the song title. The band, while on the road, picked up a few tricks musically and aren’t afraid to show them off here. Experimenting more with programming and samples, MCMB have created a haunting but memorable mood throughout the albums 11 tracks. While these tricks work well for the most part, there are a few exceptions that seem a little to familiar. ‘God Of Nothing’ is a prime example as it starts off sounding eerily similar to SUICIDE SILENCE’s ‘You Only Live Once’. It quickly puts that comparison to rest though. Other tricks are the little guitar squeeks and squeels that litter the musical soundscape reminding the listener of EMMURE. Not to say this is necessarily a bad thing mind you, as MCMB infused an over-all new heaviness similar to the now defunct SOVEREIGN STRENGTH. Even vocalist Matthew Hasting’s vocals have found a new realm of sonic intensity. Some will criticize and possibly chastise this newer vocal style as it displays more clarity and passion, but along with the new sound, it is beyond a perfect fit. From start to finish, MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE have unleashed a record of immense proportions that should easily further their popularity among the legions of followers searching for something a little more real than radio rock. -by Jon Hole

Recommended listening: ‘intro(Morpheous)’, ‘Anathema’ & ‘Black Cloud’
Production credits: Produced by Zeuss @ Planet Z studios in Hadley, MA
Release date: March 13, 2012
In conclusion…With their third album, MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE have put to rest any doubters they may have had by releasing their deepest and most emotional record to date. Fans of MCMB, old and new, should rejoice.