Tag Archives: review

03.27.13
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[DOUBLE MUSIC REVIEW + BONUS TRACKS] Bring Me The Horizon – Sempiternal

bringmethehorizonsempiternalcoverBRING ME THE HORIZON
Sempiternal
[Epitaph Records]
Verdict: 8/10
RIYL: Underoath, Thrice, Dead Poetic

Let’s get this out of the way: BRING ME THE HORIZON is just a bit polarizing. Whether it’s the band’s image, their reputation, or their sound, it is really difficult to go into an album without preconceived notions. With that said, do your best to keep an open mind with the group’s latest effort, Sempiternal. While There is a Hell… was a slight departure for the band, BRING ME THE HORIZON is a new animal now. These English chaps now bring equal doses of melody and brutality. This is no longer a deathcore band. Sure, there are still more than enough of breakdowns on the album, but those are met with clean vocals, electronics, and something akin to post-rock dynamics at times. Sempiternal finds the band leaving behind the metalcore pastures of old; now the group is a full-fledged post-hardcore beast. You will hear some Thrice-isms, a few nods to Dead Poetic, and even some Brand New (in the excellent “Seen It All Before”). Oli Sykes has even developed something akin to a croon, which he puts on display across the majority of the album’s tracks. Hell, some of the melodies on the album, when married with excellent keyboard work, sound downright Linkin Park-like. I would not have expected anything like that two albums ago. Thankfully, despite all of the experimentation in Sempiternal, BRING ME THE HORIZON still remembers how to bring the noise. “Shadow Moses” and “Anti-Vist” are excellent bangers that showcase how well the newer, more mature band works. Their brutal moments are well balanced with the more prominent melody. I think the band should consider a name change. While this is still the same band, the new sound is sure to welcome any open-minded listeners. – by Nick Senior

SECOND OPINION REVIEW:
Verdict: 9/10

Let’s start off by saying die hard fans of BMTH’s Count Your Blessings will not recognize this to be the same band. Sempiternal sounds nothing like any of their previous releases, and that includes the atmospheric broadening heard during There Is A Hell, There Is A Heaven... Even that album had enough “old” BMTH to keep it a little familiar. But not Sempiternal. For one, there’s barely any screaming on it. It’s mostly sung (even if the sound is raw and gruff more often than not). It’s also a very melodic album. With all this being said, Bring Me The Horizon have really come out with a surprising memorable album. Sempiternal is fucking theatric, which is great. The opening track, “Can You Feel My Heart”, is one of their best songs ever (and there are several other tracks on here that can also be labeled as such). It’s one of those songs that lifts you out of your seat to sing along. In fact, you could sing along to much of this album. There are plenty of catchy and memorable sections to warrant such activity. Moving forth in the album, other obvious favorites include “The House of Wolves” (the brick-by-brick chorus is contagious as fuck), “Empire (Let Them Sing)” (which will get you swinging your fists and bringing forth a revolution), “Sleepwalking” (one of the catchier and melodic tracks, with a lot of heart), and “Go To Hell, For Heaven’s Sake” (which is the most well rounded track, brining in quiet sweatness and thunderous attacks). Even with having chosen those tracks to highlight, there are several other must-hears. Basically, what it comes down to is this: forget what you used to know about BMTH. Approach this record as if it is a new band (because it may as well be). If you do that, chances are high you’ll find a lot to love from Sempiternal. — by Nathaniel Lay

Bonus tracks review…

Verdict: 10/10 (just for the 3 bonus tracks? unheard of!!)

Having not been the bands biggest fan of their last record, I was a little overjoyed when the first few songs released from this record were really good. Sempiternal reminds me of another UK band now, ARCHITECTS (UK). The last few records explored different avenues of dynamics and made it work. BRING ME THE HORIZON have finally followed suit. A full album review is very unnecessary here as my fellows writers have aptly done so, SO, I will give a 3 song review of the bonus tracks, also known as ‘The Deathbeds EP’. Starting it off is the track ‘Join The Club’. It has atmosphere and a very distinct THURSDAY meets ALEXISONFIRE vibe. It rocks, it thunders but never becomes overbearing or utterly annoying. It’s the only one of the 3 that sounds even close to the bands previous outing. Next up is ‘Chasing Rainbows’. This little number has a very THRICE-y kinda vibe but follows closely to what the ARCHITECTS (UK) have been pulling off. Its fast paced and full of unexpected hooks and melody. Last but not least, ‘Deathbeds’. This track is very ethereal and is almost a companion piece to the ARCHITECTS (UK) track ‘Hollow Crown’. Lyrically it’s almost a very romantic piece. Yes. I said romantic. Overall these extra tracks almost make this whole album…legendary. -by Jon Hole

Guest appearance: Hannah Snowdon on ‘Deathbeds’

03.27.13
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[REVIEW] Fit For A King – Creation/Destruction

fitforakingFIT FOR A KING
Creation/Destruction
[Solid State Recordings]
Verdict: 7/10
RIYL: August Burns Red, A Day to Remember, Oh, Sleeper

I sometimes feel like I’m often too hard on metalcore. I grew up on the genre, back when metalcore was fresh, furious, and, most importantly, fun. Somehow, bands tried substituting breakdowns for riffs, clean vocals for passion, and keyboards for songwriting. Clearly, not all modern metalcore pales in comparison to the “good old days”, but I often find groups lacking in execution. FIT FOR A KING is not one of those groups. Of course, this Texan group does everything big. The hooks are massive; the riffs are solid, and the breakdowns hit hard. The hooks are really where the band shines. Fans of the Heaven and Hell style that A Day to Remember favors will surely appreciate the vocals on this album. The melodies are really well done and are certain to stick in your head.

The ultimate problem with FIT FOR A KING is that they know all too well what they want to do with their sound. All but one of the album’s tracks follow a very similar formula and wind up being somewhat indistinguishable from one another. It’s not as if they are the same riffs or melodies, but I found myself getting lost as to which song I was actually listening to on the record upon repeated spins. I enjoyed each song, but the “same-ness” is a problem the band needs to fix in future releases. Is FIT FOR A KING the answer for stale metalcore? Right now the answer is uncertain, but there is little question that the band has released a successful major debut. If they can improve a few things, they will surely be a force to be reckoned with. – by Nick Senior

Classification: Melodic, Aggressive Metalcore

03.27.13
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[REVIEW] Those Who Fear – (Un)Holy Anger

unholyangerTHOSE WHO FEAR
Unholy Anger
[Facedown Records]
Verdict: 6/10
RIYL: Sleeping Giant, Overcome, Volumes

THOSE WHO FEAR offers up something a little bit different from the rest of the Facedown Records roster. While all of the bands are heavy enough, THOSE WHO FEAR is downright angry. This is pissed off music, a quality not normally associated with most Christian metal. The problem is that aside from the shift in the lyrical tone, THOSE WHO FEAR doesn’t offer much of anything else novel. Theirs is a sound that is heavily rooted in East Coast hardcore, with a slight djent bend. The music is hard-hitting and groove-laden, so the mood of the music matches the aggression of the lyrics. Of course there are too many single note breakdowns, and there is not a single bit of melody found within Unholy Anger. However, novelty is clearly not the name of the game here. THOSE WHO FEAR is clearly better suited in a live setting than on a recording. There is a great energy that over half of the tracks exude. Some would call this groove, but there are more than just djent riffs and breakdowns here. The problem is that the remainder of the band’s sound is mostly boring. When it doesn’t click on all brutal cylinders, THOSE WHO FEAR, I’m afraid, cannot overcome the boring songwriting across an entire album. The songs really mold together, so much so that it is difficult to differentiate most of the middle of the album. Thankfully for the band, the beginning and end really bookend the band’s sound well. Those songs showcase the fun elements of heavy-hitting hardcore. The middle of the album seems to be taken too seriously, and maybe that is why the middle is somewhat lackluster. Regardless, the band needs to do more to separate itself from the hardcore pack. Releasing half of a solid hardcore album won’t cut it in today’s crowded scene. – by Nick Senior

Classification: Righteously Angry Groovy Hardcore

03.19.13
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[REVIEW] For the Life of Me – Closure EP

for the life of meFOR THE LIFE OF ME
Closure EP
[Self-Released]
Verdict: 7.5/10
RIYL: Balance and Composure, Basement, Brand New

Calling a punk or post-hardcore album “fresh” would seem nearly impossible in 2013. While many bands have released excellent outputs in those genres, they tend to tread over the same territory. It may not be entirely fair to call this EP “fresh”, but it’s certainly a breath of not-so-stale air in a genre that clearly needs it. Coming out of the land of hipsters and the Ducks, Oregon rock group FOR THE LIFE OF ME has offered up something quite enjoyable here. Closure hopefully offers anything but closure on the band’s young career. The group’s sound clearly is inspired by groups like BRAND NEW and BALANCE AND COMPOSURE, but there is something unique in the waters of Oregon. Lurking throughout the EP’s seventeen minute run time is a sense of experimenting within the punk template. These songs prefer intelligence to fun, which is always dangerous for punk groups. Nary a buoyant melody nor a rollicking riff is found within Closure. Instead, the band prefers to write really enjoyable music. The EP is not quite perfect, as some of the fresh moments don’t quite catch on; however, FOR THE LIFE OF ME is clearly onto something here. The passion is evident from the first note, and it carries throughout the EP. If the band can push its freshness a bit longer, it might be set for a significant breakout. Fans of thoughtful punk will be more than happy with what Closure has to offer. – by Nick Senior

Classification: Punk/Post-hardcore
Stream album: http://forthelifeofme.bandcamp.com/

03.19.13
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[REVIEW] Louder Than Bombs – What Resonates

louder thanbombsLOUDER THAN BOMBS
What Resonates
[South Division Records]
Verdict: 6.5/10
RIYL: Hot Water Music, Polar Bear Club, Rival Schools

Punk is one of those genres that I find myself surprised at how well it’s aged. When I was 16 and MXPX and NEW FOUND GLORY were some of the greatest things ever, I didn’t imagine that the genre would still be really viable ten years later. While the pop variety is doing well on its own, the harsher side of punk has found its stride in the past five years. LOUDER THAN BOMBS’ newest record should find a musical home next to groups like HOT WATER MUSIC and POLAR BEAR CLUB. These Michiganers (Michiganians to some) have nailed down a nice sound that merges the rising gruff punk scene with some post-hardcore flourishes.

One of the main issues with the album is that the songs really lack the punch and bite you would like from the best of punk. Each of these ten songs is enjoyable enough on its own, but the album tends to drag a bit through its twenty-seven minute run time. I am sure each of these songs would be great on shuffle, but What Resonates doesn’t resonate enough to encourage multiple listens or continued streaming. Those who are fans of any of the bands in the recommended section will surely enjoy LOUDER THAN BOMBS, but I’m left a bit underwhelmed by what the album offers as a whole. The rating should key you in that this is no slouch of an album. What Resonates certainly is a good album, but LOUDER THAN BOMBS needs to tighten its sound out a bit to really stick out from the punk pack. – by Nick Senior

Classification: Gruff Punk/Post-hardcore
Recommended Tracks: “Folly”, No News is Good News” and “Banish”

03.19.13
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[REVIEW] Caravels – Lacuna

_caravels_lacuna_cover_detailCARAVELS
Lacuna
[Topshelf Records]
Verdict: 8.5/10
RIYL: Gifts from Enola, We Were Skeletons, Further Seems Forever

I feel teleported back in time when I listen to CARAVELS’ debut full-length. “Retro” is one of those “in” things right now, with 80s music and fashion coming in style. It’s only a matter of time until the 90s is re-represented. Thankfully, CARAVELS embody what was so great about the music that didn’t make the airwaves in that era. Theirs is a sound that is emo, not “emo”. The music alternates between beautiful post-rock interludes and intricate post-hardcore. Each song laughs at the standard verse-chorus formula, as the vocalist lets the music bring the beauty. Thankfully Lacuna features a heavy dose of melody. Each song is expertly designed for maximum enjoyment.

While the vocals couldn’t be much different, I am oddly reminded of FURTHER SEEMS FOREVER’s musicality throughout Lacuna. The music unravels its intricacy more with each listen, like a ripe red onion. At its outside layer, the music equals the abrasive nature of the vocals. This is loud music for quiet people. CARAVELS is not bombastic or brutal enough to appease metalheads, but the passionate noise will surely please most listeners. However, once the heaviness seeps through, the rest is even more impressive. The guitars and drum-work are superb, allowing the music to ebb and flow organically. For an example of what I’m talking about, check out songs one through ten, in order. While the album is a tad bit homogeneous, CARAVELS’ carefully crafted sound is best experienced in one fell swoop. Fans of intelligent noise will surely enjoy Lacuna, as these gentleman have released one of the first truly great albums of 2013. – by Nick Senior

Classification: Throwback Emo/Post-rock
Recommended Tracks: “Hundred Years”, “New Zealand” and “Having Had & Lost Some Infinite Thing”

03.13.13
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[REVIEW] Wolves At Bay – I Was The Devil Once

wolves at bat=yWOLVES AT BAY
I Was the Devil Once
[Animal Style Records]
Verdict: 9/10
RIYL: Reverse the Curse, Brand New, Heart to Heart

An excellent EP is both gratifying and irritating as hell. On one hand, it is always an accomplishment to release twenty minutes of consistently impressive music. On the other hand, I wish the band could have come up with another ten to fifteen minutes of music to make a full length. WOLVES AT BAY’s latest EP falls into this category. I Was the Devil Once is a six song stunner, packed to the gills with excellent music. The band’s style is altogether familiar and unique, hearkening back to a time in post-hardcore before breakdowns (henceforth B.B.). Each of these six songs is energetic, melodic, intelligent, and (maybe most importantly) fun. If I had to pick an album highlight, “Forget Who I Was” is an excellent specimen. It is undoubtedly the most up-beat song, but don’t let that fool you: the rest of the EP still brings it. Ultimately, the EP serves as yet another reason to give this Connecticut group a chance. Their sound is definitely brings back some of the positive memories of early 00s post-hardcore. Fans of anything that came out of New Jersey in that era will surely dig WOLVES AT BAY. – by Nick Senior

Classification: Post-hardcore/Emo
Recommended Tracks: “The Whole”, “Damn” and “Thing”

03.13.13
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[REVIEW] The Venetia Fair – Every Sick, Disgusting Thought…

the venetia fairTHE VENETIA FAIR
Every Sick, Disgusting Thought We’ve Got in Our Brain
[Self-Released]
Verdict: 8/10
RIYL: Panic at the Disco, Foxy Shazam, The Dear Hunter, My Chemical Romance

Where do I begin with THE VENETIA FAIR? Unique is not often an adjective I use when reviewing albums. I admit I love classifying albums based on what else is out there, but mere comparisons don’t do the band justice. I have honestly not heard a band that goes to the extreme that THE VENETIA FAIR does. While many bands like adding circus-style melodies to their sound, this album takes it to a whole new level. This is progressive music that is actually progressive in spirit. This is not overly technical, nor does it completely eschew traditional songwriting. Instead, this is the sound of a band successfully channeling a unique vision. If you are a fan of thematic post-hardcore bands like THE RECEIVING END OF SIRENS, MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, or FOXY SHAZAM, then there is little doubt you will enjoy what THE VENETIA FAIR has to offer. The music on the album (sorry, it’s too long to type out over and over) shares a sonic kinship with the aforementioned bands, yet it carries its own tune. The band trades out the harsher elements of post-hardcore for a smattering of piano and a circus style. Give a listen to “(IV) The Saints of Gomorrah” to get an idea of what to expect.

If there is a drawback with the album, it may actually be its uniqueness. Sure, novelty is fun for a few songs, but giving the listener fifty minutes of circus punk is a bit much for one sitting. Thankfully, the less bombastic elements of the band’s sound become more prominent upon multiple listens, allowing the melodies to shine forth. Vocalist Benny Santoro understands how to sound both soulful and unhinged at the same time, which certainly fits well with the band’s style. As of this writing, I am unsure whether this is an excellent release or just a successful novelty. However, if you are a fan of post-hardcore and progressive music, then you owe yourself a chance to hear what THE VENETIA FAIR has to offer. – by Nick Senior

Classification: Circus Progressive Post-hardcore
Stream on Bandcamp: http://thevenetiafair.bandcamp.com/

03.02.13
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[REVIEW] Vinnie Caruana – City By The Sea

vinnie carunaVINNIE CARUANA
City by the Sea
[Run for Cover Records]
Verdict: 8/10
RIYL: Anthony Raneri, The Movielife, Go Radio

If you are unfamiliar with the name VINNIE CARUANA, then one quick listen to any song on his debut EP will refresh your memory. His voice is one of the most unique in punk music, as the vocal member of The Movielife, I Am Avalanche, and Peace’d Out. Much like the debut from Bayside’s Anthony Raneri, Vinnie embraces his heart-on-his-sleeve persona. While the songs may be stripped down from the standard punk format, City by the Sea is six tracks of unplugged bliss. While there is also percussion and piano, the EP is really just a man alone with his thoughts and a guitar. The difference between many acoustic outputs and City by the Sea is that Vinnie is quite talented, and his thoughts are poignant. Lines like “When there was nothing else, I know that I’m not here just for myself,” showcase the level of emotion fans of Vinnie’s past works remember. If you’re more in the mood for upbeat folk, then “Boy You’re in Heaven” will be your cup of tea. The hook is easily the sharpest on the EP, and it’s been stuck in my head since I first heard the song. Of course, with any side project, the results will be compared to the artists other work. Nothing on here is as fantastic as anything on Forty Hour Train Back to Penn, but that’s clearly not the point. Vinnie had a vision of writing some acoustic folk jams, and City by the Sea clearly succeeded with that goal. Sometimes an album can be as simple as that. – by Nick Senior

Recommended Tracks: “Boy You’re in Heaven”, “City by the Sea” and “If I’m a Battleship, Then You’re the Northern Lights (Thank You)”

03.02.13
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[REVIEW] Everlyn – A Ticket To The Moon

everlynEVERLYN
A Ticket to the Moon
[Self-Released]
Verdict: 5.5/10
RIYL: Tonight Alive, Paramore, Icon for Hire

It’s really unfair, but every female fronted rock band is starting at a disadvantage. They will inevitably get compared to Paramore. Hailing from Spain, EVERLYN aims to sound a little different and A Ticket to the Moon shows the band hitting the mark a few more times than it misses. First off, Karol is a great vocalist, who certainly knows her way around a melody. She certainly leaves her mark on the album as someone other than a Hayley Williams clone. Unfortunately, the music surrounding her is a bit disappointing. EVERLYN plays fairly generic alternative rock that went to school with Paramore and Anberlin. There are occasional riffs or keyboard flairs (see “Pointless Road”) that break the mold, but the majority of the album is nothing listeners haven’t heard before. Fortunately, the band is adept at songwriting enough to compensate. Despite its score, the album is certainly a grower, as the melodies take hold in your brain. This enables the album to come across better than it actually is. I hesitate to call A Ticket to the Moon a success, but it’s clear from this alone that EVERLYN has the potential for greater things. If they can expand their sound from the prototypical anthemic rock format, who knows how good these Spaniards could be. – by Nick Senior

Recommended Tracks: “Pointless Road”, “Tested Lives” and “Analogies”

03.02.13
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[REVIEW] 96 – Caught In The Grips

96_Caught_in_The_Gripes96
Caught in the Grips
[Hotfoot Records]
Verdict: 6.5/10
RIYL: Madball, Comeback Kid, Youth of Today

Hardcore isn’t what it used to be. Back in the “good ol’ days”, hardcore had an attitude and intelligence about it. Sure, there was enough anger to scare your parents, but the songs were different. Now, hardcore is about shoving as many breakdowns per song as possible and cliché lyrics. Welcome in one of Hotfoot Records’ latest signings, 96. The group embodies what hardcore was ten, fifteen years ago: groovy, angry, and fun. The album flies through thirteen tracks in twenty minutes, without stopping for air. Picking album standouts is almost a joke. Except for two tracks, the rest hardly stand out. Sure, there is the occasional guitar lick or gang vocal that distinguishes itself from the rest, but the name of the game here is fast and furious. One of those moments is the thirty seconds of “Iced Tea”. From one track you gather how freaking serious these Jersey boys are about their iced tea, and it’s hilarious. Moments like this are fun in the midst of a socially conscious album. I hate to sell 96 short, but this is such a succinct release. I was caught up in the fun of Caught in the Grips, but, like many hardcore albums, I was easily able to let go once the ruckus was over. The replayability value is high here, but the memorability is not. As it is, 96 certainly has a promising future in hardcore. – by Nick Senior

Recommended Tracks: “Iced Tea” and “Had Enough

03.02.13
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[REVIEW] Octaves – Greener Pastures (Reissue)

octaves-greener-pastures-300x300OCTAVES
Greener Pastures (Reissue)
[TOPSHELF RECORDS]
Verdict: 9/10
RIYL: Poison the Well, The Bled, The Chariot

In an age of downloadable media, reissues seem pointless. While hipsters and audiophiles still purchase vinyl, the majority of listeners recognize the dawn of the digital age. That said, this reissue is vital to your musical library. If you have yet to bask in the glory of OCTAVES yet, then I think it’s time to thank Topshelf Records dearly. I had not heard of the band prior to this reissue, and it has left me all but salivating for more music from this Baltimore group. Thankfully, the reissue is out this week, just in time to prepare your ears for the band’s full-length in April. The main reason I find OCTAVES so endearing is that the entirety of Greener Pastures is fantastic. Other reasons include songs one through eight. In all seriousness, I have said for years that I don’t understand why more bands haven’t started taking sonic cues from POISON THE WELL, and here comes OCTAVES out of the woodwork. The riffs are meaty, and the dissonance is certainly there. However, OCTAVES is no one-trick pony. Each of the eight songs on the album oozes energy and technical prowess. Latent in there is some southern charm, a la THE CHARIOT and EVERY TIME I DIE. I struggle to find a favorite track, as the mini-album is remarkably consistent. Needless to say, fans of metalcore in its earliest stages will find more than a little bit to love about Greener Pasturers. Sprinkle in some progressive and chaotic tendencies, and you have an absolute band to watch in 2013. – by Nick Senior

Classification: Progressive Post-Hardcore
Recommended Tracks: The Whole Damn Thing
Stream: http://topshelfrecords.bandcamp.com/album/greener-pastures