Customer Reviews

Determination

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you are one of the few people who truly appreciate the melodic intricacies of Euro-metal, and who also long for the brutal assault of dual-guitar/double-bass breakdowns as heard in almost every hardcore band worth listening to, then this is the band, and album, for you. Described as being MetalCore, which is truly poor description of such a tight band, God Forbid astonishes audiences with a vast array of musical knowledge and prowess. Originally from New Brunswick, NJ (I am also from New Brunswick, but I promise you, no biases are present here, I am just a lover of hard music) God Forbid showcases a talent all their own. From the intro to the last track, this album flows and pulses like it has a mind of its own.

Lyrically, Byron "B" Davis screeches, yelps, and growls his way into your very soul. Mainly implementing a hardcore style of vocal, B succeeds in displaying what he intended: Pure rage. On the guitars are three men whom play together like none other. Doc and Dallas Coyle (yes, they are brothers) harmonize and chug with perfection. Their style is a mixture of At The Gates and In Flames melodic death metal guitar with a groove similar to Arkangel. They also can break down with the best of them. On bass is John Outcalt who is white. Oh, did I forget to mention that all the members of God Forbid save for John are black? Who cares? I don't! Race doesn't matter, only music. John is a superb bassist who can be overlooked, but shouldn't be. His style is straight out of Cliff Burton's playbook. Just listen to his amazing solo on 'Wicked.' Playing the skins is Corey Pierce. Pierce really does just that. His mastery over the double bass is so prevalent its sickening. He is similar to Raymond Herrera on the double bass, but is a much more hardcore-influenced drummer when it comes to the rest of the drums.

As for the tracks on "Determination", they are just as intricate as the members of the band are. The best songs in my opinion are:

Broken Promise - If you like to be assaulted by breakdown after breakdown, apply within.

Divide My Destiny - A truly melodic masterpiece reminiscent of In Flames, but more groovy.

Wicked - An older song of theirs that has been remastered, but nonetheless, simply fantastic.

Determination Pt. 1 & 2 - First one is real hard, second is really melodic.

Go Your Own Way - My favorite because it combines everything that is amazing about this band.

Definitely buy this CD. No questions. Just buy!

God Forbid also has an EP "Out Of Misery" and their first full length LP "Reject The Sickness" out on indie labels. These are equally great. Buy these too!

Let me say that if all metalcore bands were this good, it would be hard to find time to listen to them considering how big the "scene" is. To get to the basics of this cd: heavy, brutal, melodic, and talented all rolled into one. What this cd most reminds me of is the old stuff from Cave In(until your heart stops in particular), with some actual talented leads thrown in along the lines of euro metal or it's influence, Iron Maiden. This cd isn't melodic enough to fall into the gothenberg style, but it's well produced, heavy, and very talented. It's stange to see a band this dynamic come from the US, especially one that is metalcore. Well worth your time if you like heavy metal such as Lamb of God, old Cave In, Unearth, Shadows Fall, etc.

Godforbid is by far one of the best metal acts out now...They bring you nothing but that pure american metal with an sound that is out of this world! Byron's vocals are one of a kind plus the messege the godforbid sends is very interesting.If your a fan of true metal and your anti nu-metal like me...Well, pick this album up now!

God Forbid have crafted probably the most visceral, intense, and technical metal release in years with "Determination". Byronde's vocals absolutely shred; he sounds like he's going to pass out any minute from screaming so hard. The guitars are insanely good, displaying an incredible technical sense with riffs that sound like Megadeth on crack, but heavier. The bass player follows the guitars' lead, providing great support and a huge low end. The drums are probably the most impressive; the double-kick work is some of the best I've heard in a long time, and the overall drum sound is just huge. I recommend this cd to EVERY fan of true metal out there, as this tops my list of the best metal cd's of this year.

God Forbid sounds like the music inside the head of a serial killer with Tourette's syndrome. Get this CD!!

This IS a good album, if you read "limpbizkitsnumbaonefan" or whatever's review it's obvious that his collection consists on no-talent mainstream nu-metal bands (he couldnt at least put down some GOOD mainstream bands like System Of A Down, Incubus, Nonpoint, Queens of the Stone Age or any of the like)... he obviously hasnt discovered the talent that albums by God Forbid, or other creative artists that thrive on EXPERIMENTATION and have recognizable talent, rather than cookie cutter ... Puddle of Mudd, Limp Bizkit, Drowning Pool etc. that dont deserve thier success... i mean come on CRAZY TOWN? CREED? And to top it off... SUM 41??? Never get an album by those artists for the love of god... theres more talent in this one band than all those put together. Don't get me wrong, if your the type that has good musical tastests but Metalcore isnt your cup of tea there's nothing wrong with your opinion, and you may want to pass on this album. Otherwise, If you like God Forbid and want to discover other bands that are even more impressive, check out Atreyu, CKY, Demon Hunter, Zao, Norma Jean, Coheed and Cambria, Glassjaw, Dredg, Finch, Thursday, the Dillinger Escape Plan and enjoy true talent!

God Forbid formed and released their first disc in 1998, then spent the following several years trying to make it big. Though they would have to wait six years for a breakthrough release, their first great album came a mere three years later. 2001's "Determination", which was God Forbid's first release on Century Media records, should have been this New Jersey-based quintet's breakthrough because every ingredient is here for a superb thrash/metalcore record: catchy songs, great riffs, walloping drums, and rough, emotional vocals.

The album begins with a mid-paced instrumental, "Dawn Of The Millennia," which boasts a strong, driving double bass attack and punchy guitars. The next two songs, "Nothing" and "Broken Promise", continue in that same vein, but with faster tempos. The latter track also has pounding power chords, catchy, thumping drums, and an explosive ending with almost thunderous riffs and blast beats. "Network" and "Wicked" both have churning, headbanging guitar hooks and the latter also features two little and somewhat wild solos. "God's Last Gift" is doubtlessly the record's finest song. It's a quite awesome instrumental with swift, pounding drums, slamming, buzzsaw riffs, and a ripping solo. And, lastly, "A Reflection Of The Past" is another instrumental, but this one is serene and somewhat pretty, with good, harmonic guitar melody.

God Forbid did finally get the recognition they deserved with 2004's "Gone Forever", but "Determination" definitely should have been their breakthrough album, because (with talented musicianship, exceptional songwriting, and mostly crisp production), it should be very easy for all metalheads to fall in love with. Recommended.

If you were to look at the bands that are bringing back the original sound of metal (the way it should be), God Forbid would have to be one of the best. Unfortunately, forefathers of the genre like Slayer won't be around forever. The next generation needs bands to carry the torch, bands that are heavy in a creative fashion, instead of cookie cutter "metalcore" garbage. God Forbid is leading this charge. While this album is not their greatest, it is a large step in the right direction. They somehow manage to sound raw and refined at the same time. Check this out as a nice precursor to the metal masterpiece that is their next album, "Gone Forever".

What can I say? This is simply one of the best albums I've purchased recently, and what an album it is. Merging the NJ hardcore scene with melodic death reminiscent of, say, In Flames, we are subjected to the musical assault of God Forbid.

The vocals are screamed in true hardcore fashion, sometimes bordering on a death-scream-like-thing, but still intelligable. The guitars and bass display excellent knowledge of musical captivity, delving headfirst into some dual-guitar melodies, then crushing into riffs that sound like no other band I can think of (perhaps Meshuggah?). The drums keep the thump needed to drive a band of this caliber, and sometimes spice things up with some unique fills that are just as interesting as the riffs pummeling through the storm.

All in all, an excellent CD and one worth picking up, whatever the cost.

Are you sick of nu-metal? I know you are. Are you tired of Fred Durst and his never-ending quest to be the biggest egotist on the planet? I know you are. What do these have in common, you ask. The bands that are included in the above, save for a few of the forerunners are just re-hashing old material. Well, God Forbid will save us all. The music contained on "Determination" has never sounded so feral, and meaningful in a long time. Upon first listen you can tell that there is a painstaking attention to the craft. An attention to all that is good in metal, without ripping anyone off. I am not kidding you when I tell you that fans of Slayer, Machine Head, At the Gates, the Haunted, Lamb of God, Hatebreed, just about any hardcore, and any black metal for that matter will be drawn into this cauldron of sonic devastation. It is dumper-heavy, has grooves everywhere, solos complimenting perfectly where needed, and a singer that once and for all sounds convicted to what he is saying. Yes, it is that good. I listen to a lot of metal, and this is the best thing to come out in the last four to five years easily. Go get it, and change your life. I'm out.