Customer Reviews

Dead Alive

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

 

 

These guys have been dormant for awhile but it's been worth the wait. I thought they were done for good but they come thundering back from the catacombs with a highly polished gem of modern heavy metal. This time around, SE combines the savagery of Immune with the tight musicianship of This is My Blood to exemplary results.

Dead Alive's only weakness may be it's production- it's too good, slightly watering down the jakchammer riffs and merciless double bass, though I'm sure every song would be devastating live. The vocals are fierce and serated, with only a few moments of clean singing. Christian metalcore/melodic death metal is easy to spot these days and while SE occasionally ventures into this oft-trodden territory, they maintain their own distinctive sound that honestly bludgeons their brethren into forgotten corners. Today's metal scene is starving for new sounds and while SE doesn't exactly reinvigorate the genre, there are a few moments of shining brilliance that can't help but bring a smile to your face, at the same time peeling it off.

All things considered, Dead Alive is a roller coaster ride through everything that makes metal a joy to listen to, throwing everything at you but the kitchen sink (and even occasionally heaving that at you as well). You can't go wrong- grab this and mosh yourself silly.

Phwwooaaahhh!! SE have mastered their craft and taken it to a whole new level of adrenaline pumping, hair raising, face melting metal. Tighter than ever before with even catchier riffage and more amazing, creative (but not overindulgent) guitar solos, this album is head and shoulders above the crowd. Although it's pure death metal, even more traditional metal fans will be able to get into this album. But don't take my word for it, check out the samples. If you like a taste of it, you won't be disappointed by the full feast.

I'M A FAN OF THEIR MUSIC.I DO LIKE THE CD EVEN THOUGH I WISH THE SONGS WERE LONGER AND HEAVIER.THE PRODUCTION IS GOOD THOUGH I COULD BE BETTER.I GET THE CD FROM FYE ON 9/21/2009 AND I LIKE IT ONLY BECAUSE I LOVE DEATH METAL STYLE VOCALS.I HOPE THE NEXT CD IS HEAVIER AND MORE MELODIC

This album started out as a disappointment. After a few spins, I realized that as soon as the intense title track faded out, and I heard the haunting opening strains of "To End It All" again, I couldn't stop myself from listening to the whole thing again. It is still almost impossible for me to not listen to this album 2-3 times in row.

If you appreciate metal, do yourself a favor and headbang to this.

Soul Embraced sounds alot like In Flames on this release. even though they switched to melodeath, it's still tough. these guys have some thought-provoking lyrics too, although a tad violent on the song "Bloodstained Nevada". I noticed that these guys thanked Christ, but I did not go through the lyrics to see if God is mentioned. all I can say is these guys did a good job, and I especially like the "galloping" guitar on song number 3 ("Curtain Of Deceit"). rock on for Jesus, guys!

Musically speaking, I have to agree that a lack of creativity haunts this release. Sometimes the guitars just chugga chugga along with minimal variation. A beginner guitar player could learn some of the songs in a matter of hours I'm guessing. Living Sacrifice is much better (I only compare the two bands because of the mutual band members).

I don't think the production is all that great either. The album sounds good on my mp3 player (at 320 kbps), but the CD played on my truck's system sounds very muddled a lot of the time.

My main gripe (and the real reason for only two stars) is the fact that besides each band member thanking Jesus Christ or God, and a couple mentions of God in the lyrics, this album could very easily be considered secular. I'm talking from album art inside and out to song titles to 99% of the lyrics. Besides some of the lyrics on track six, almost nothing here is edifying or uplifting. If I wanted depressing non-Biblical secular metal I would have bought a Six Feet Under album. I really hope the upcoming Living Sacrifice is more Christ-centered.

the biggest problem with soul embraced is their total lack of creativity when it comes to songwriting.

thats all i'm going to say about this record.