Customer Reviews

Courting Tragedy & Disaster

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is HIMSA like you've never known them, ever. From the European power metal opening notes of "Dominion" all the way through to the ascending, chaotic climax of "When Midnight Breaks" - HIMSA delivered the record I had hoped they would. "Courting Tragedy and Disaster" is an album for those who appreciate pure, raw power that runs like a freight train over your soul. It is smart and brutal while it yields its punishing delivery. With that said, it is not for those who are looking for a simple-minded mosh on every track, HIMSA are way too smart and talented for that easy fare. If you like the New Wave of American Heavy Metal (Shadows Fall, Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage) and have a penchant for hardcore, The Misfits, Slayer and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal of old (Iron Maiden, in particular) then you're going to love this album, I guarantee it. God loves, HIMSA kills.

Himsa is one of the best metalcore bands out there, and if they manage to hang in there, they could soon be one of the scene leaders. This album is full of solos left and right, as well as absolutely amazing guitar work. This feels like an attempt to bring the style of 80's thrash and mixing it with new school metal and hardcore. Here are the facts: no whiny emo singing here, not too many breakdowns, just amazing guitar work and a great metal sound with tough guy vocals. Although breakdowns are sometimes essential in a hardcore band, Himsa does just fine without them. To tell you the truth this sounds more like a metal CD, but it is easy to listen to and not too brutal. If you want a good metal CD with hardcore ethic you should pick this up and skip the 100's of poser bands inhabiting the genre.

I love the heavy metal scene but my friends are into the hardcore scene. I went to a hardcore show featuring Atreyu, Underoath, and Himsa, and these guys blew ME away, but not my friends. I've picked up a few hardcore albums since, including Atreyu, As I Lie Dying, and 18 Visions and these guys simply don't compare.

The guitarwork on this album is masterfull, but definatly not labeled as 'hardcore.' Heck, when I saw them the second time, their drummer, Tim Mullin, had an Emperor t-shirt (black metal)! It's very true that these guys are comparable to In Flames, At the Gates, Callenish Circle, but not other hardcore bands.

If by some chance someone reading this listens to thrash stuff, definatly pick this up, those who listen pure hardcore, including the previous Himsa release (which I didn't care for) may want to skip. All in all, I'd give it 5 if my friends enjoyed it, but they don't.

Highlights:
1) Dominion
3) A Girl in Glass
4) Kiss or Kill
5) Jacob Shock
9) Scars in the Landscape

This does NOT sound like Groundbreaking Ceremony. This CD is sort of like a fusion between Himsa, In Flames, The Haunted, with a ever so slight touch of D.E.P. VERY well done music. Amazon should really get some sound clips up. This is easily the best metal CD I've bought all year.

Love this album will remind of hauntingly similar sound that Chimaira has out called Impossibility of Reason. Might want to check that one out or be like me and take out the samples to find out what I mean.

On Courting Tragedy & Disorder, Himsa exhibits quite a change from the hardcore influence that was prevalent on earlier recordings. Frontman John Pettibone's tough-guy screaming is pretty much the only link to their roots, as the band (only bassist Derek Harn remains from the original lineup) now heads in a decidedly metallic direction.

These days, the metal genre has many subcategories that are attached to it (it seems that more are sprouting up every day), and if I were to classify Himsa's current sound, I would say that they have a progressive metal-core sound with a bit of a thrash influence - the musicianship is definitely superior to many similar bands, with plenty of solos thrown into the mix. In addition, the songs experience many tempo shifts, which definitely keeps the listener on their toes. The vocals suit the music just fine - Pettibone is aptly credited with "screams and whispers" in the booklet, as the band goes from ambient to aggressive in many songs.

In summary: This is a good album to listen to while running into walls, starting a mosh pit in your car, or wreaking havoc in your living room. Definitely pick this up if you're into the more aggressive metal genres.

Hmmm... I heard about himsa when i saw them with underoath & atreyu--all bands are amazing but himsa was my favorite out them all. I quess its an decent album over-all specialy track 3 & 5... If you into pure metalcore with an difirent style--buy himsa's "courtin tragety & disaster" its well worth it! Himsa is pretty amazing live too...I might add!!

This CD is alright, but citing a previous review, it's definately slanted more towards DEP than In Flames or The Haunted. However, its nowhere near as good as those bands. Pretty good music for the most part.

They just keep getting better. I put it in my CD player a week ago and havent taken it out yet.

As a true believer in metal, I feel I should give some imput. Metal is not rock, it is the "underground/raw" version. True metal is not played on broadcast radio. What [i]they[/i] play is a toned-down version of true metal. Got that? So, therefore, true metal is comprised of melodic bridges and scores that are molded not only to enhance the songs, but to show the true talents of the band. Himsa accomplishes this with this album. (This is also a favorite of ours to party to.)

I'm not gonna post metal bands to suggest, as you must find metal as we all do; but here's a word of wisdom: "Listen to what you want. If you want an awesome metal cd to buy, with melodic notes, raw amps and some screaming, you'll like this album."