Customer Reviews

Eighteen Visions

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The new self titled effort from 18V is exactly that, new. In No way shape or form is any of the band that recorded 'Until the Ink Runs out' represented on this, as the band has decided gone more in a rock direction. While they have attempted this on 'Vanity' with "I don't Mind" and went more Boldly with 'Obsession', I feel here they have definetly accomplished what they set out to make, a great rock and roll record. Lots of solid songs more dedicated than on 'Obsession', which in comparison seemed like more of a failed attempt to achieve this. There really isn't a bad song on this cd. And it's very well produced, sounds very sonically tight.
However, if you've stuck with the band this long, you may be extremely dissapointed with this release, after all there is basically no hardcore elements on this, and the metal isn't really meant to heavy at all. But as a fan that has watched the band progress, you really can't be too suprised that they've gone in this direction. With each release this band has changed, and you as a fan have to ask yourself if you can put aside the fact that they made some death-metalled-grind-hardcore, you'll find that this really is one of the best rock records out this year, better than the Lost Prophets cd, and more in league with Velvet Revolver and such. I give it a 4.

I went to HMV just to see what they had for music, and when i listened to Eighteen Visions on one of those 3-disc music listeners. Let me tell you i was hooked for good. I kept listening to this cd for hours after i bought it and i'm still hooked on it. As well as i don't usually buy one singer or bands cd's, i usually buy a mix cd like much music 2001. So for hard music lovers and people who don't like buying one certain band go out to your local music store and buy EIGHTEEN VISIONS, not sure if this will be helpfull but out of the twelve songs i like eleven of them and my favorite song is broken hearted, just for you hard rockers this is a slow song warning.
( yes it's a slow rock song NOT a heavy song like song number two victim.)

As someone who's never heard of Eighteen Visions before the release of this album, I've found myself enjoying their self-titled effort quite a lot. I don't have their "screamer" albums as a frame of reference, I can't rate this based on how much they "sold out", just on how much I enjoy the music on this disk. Eighteen Visions really seems to have embraced the rock music of the 80s when they made this album, and in my opinion, it's to the album's benefit. Songs like "Pretty Suicide" and "The Sweetest Memory" strike a nice balance between modern and retro sounds, and while they won't appeal to people looking for heavier, more hardcore sounds, they're great songs in their own right. As good as those are, however, I find myself gravitating towards "Victim" and "Coma", which rock out a little bit more in comparison. Almost every song on this album is quite listenable, and I've listened to it multiple times without getting tired of it.

Still, it's probably best for new fans, like me, who haven't heard of 18V until recently. While it won't please fans of their hardcore style, it's a worthy purchase for anyone looking for a straight-up rock album.

Seeing Eighteen Visions for the first time 4 years ago during their Vanity era, it's amazing that a band would risk it all by transcending from metalcore to straight up hard rock... For 18V, it worked very well. Hardcore fans will be disappointed. It could very well be my diverse taste in music, but I'm completely addicted to this album. I've listened to this entire CD over and over again.

18V incorporated their 80's hard rock influence and I LOVE it to death! Several tracks are reminiscent of Def Leppard, Skid Row, and Guns N' Roses... Very guitar, vocal, and melody driven. James Hart utilizes his voice to his advantage by singing a lot more and did an awesome job. The music itself is amazing, with different layers of guitar work, tight drums and basslines, and huge, catchy hooks. The overall production is awesome and seemed well thought-out.

Sell outs? Not at all. Growing and evolving? Definitely. I highly respect musicians who will take risks and create music THEY love. This album is amazing!

I used to hate these guys but to my shock and apall I heard Victim on the radio and was hooked. I know many of you complain about them changing their style (which usually ruins a band) but in this case it's just soooo much better. While the whole cd doesn't quite live up to the stigma of Victim it is much better than their previous attempts..WHICH COULD EXPLAIN WHY FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER THEY'RE ON THE TOP TEN BILLBOARD ROCK CHARTS...so for all you saying it's not as good..you must be mistaken or it certainly wouldn't be there :D In Short, this is a big step forward for a band that until now was quite insignificant.

Sure, this album compares nothing to "Vanity" which is mine and most others favorite 18v album. But hey, if you follow the band they've been saying how much different this one was going to sound. Yes i agree it's a little trendy and alot of bands are changing their styles on there newer music. Take a look at AFI,UnderOath,Thrice and alot of other good bands. Lets face it bands evolve for whatever reasons. Some change for what they believe and some do it for other reasons. Give it a chance.

Eighteen visions have never been a GREAT band, they have always been a middle of the road band. Lets get something straight about Eighteen Visions right away. They have not a shred of originality about them, and thieve their hooks and trademark sounds from other genre's and bands. For instance, they have a frequent tendency to indulge themselves in nu metal riffage that is reminiscent of late 90's Limp Bizkit and Korn. This was prominent throughout their previous album 'Obsession' and held the band back from producing anything of great interest. Thankfully, if not abandonning this tendency altogether, they have at least cut it down to a few tracks. Although fans of the band would deny this, 'Obsession' was more or less a nu metal album, but despite this, still showed a bit of promise and a bit of swagger that stopped it from failing completely. The self titled 'Eighteen Visions' is a huge improvement on 'Obsession' in every aspect (apart from perhaps lyrics). There is evidence of classic rock in many of the tracks, and first single "Victim" is so ram packed with hooks that it is impossible not to sing along. Sadly, this and "Tonightless" are probably the best tracks on tha album, with the others just being less good versions of these two. Still it is worth a listen in any case, this is genre theft used to good if not great effect. It is just a simple case of there being more to these songs than on previous albums. If you are unfamiliar with the band, just get this and ignore everything that came before it.

Well that seems to be what 18v is attempting with their Self-Titled effort, and first for Epic Records. Be forewarned: If you are looking for anything that remotely resembles this band back in their heyday or a rebound of sorts from "Obsession", this is not that album. "Eighteen Visions" is simply a progression (if you want to call it that) from the last album. There's new elements introduced into the music (some electronics, hardrock edge) but for the most part this record just feels like an "Obsession" pt 2. For newer fans this is definitely a record to check out, and for those who hated the direction 18v was taking with the last record, be prepared for more of the same.

So what's different this time around? Well if you heard "Obession", not much. They've ditched their screaming almost totally (just a few screams found in select places throughout the record) and gone the clean vocal route. This isn't necessarily that bad of a thing, but James' voice sounds a bit different on this record. It's due to the vocal lessons he took before recording the album (which oddly enough was recommended to him by Avenged Sevenfold vocalist M. Shadows, which I think is laughable because M. Shadows has probably one of the worst clean voices in this type of music.) Half the time James comes off trying to sound like some sort of Scott Weiland meets Axl Rose mashup. His lyrics also seem to be further on the decline (even worse than "Obsession" I hate to admit.) What happened to when he was writing epic pieces like "Flowers For Ingrid" or "Champagne And Sleeping Pills"? Your guess is as good as mine.

Musically the band just sounds like any standard, hardrock/alternative band that you'd hear on the radio today. Very much like they sounded on "Obession", with a bit of an electronic influence.. If you've heard the two songs that were leaked for sometime, "Victim" and "Black and Bruised" (ironically the album's two best tracks), then you will know what to expect. Long gone are the intricate metal riffs of "Until The Ink Runs Out" and the blistering heaviness of "Vanity". The only thing they've really done to regain any of their old flavor this time around is bring back the breakdowns that were absent on "Obsession." That's not really saying much though since no breakdown on this cd can match up to even the average harcore band's breakdown nowadays (and almost all of them feel out of place in the songs that they appear in.) Ken and Keith are talented guitarists, yet they seem to be content just playing simple, watered down riffs. Mick gets a few solo spots here and there, but otherwise his bass playing seems to be virtually unimportant. New drummer Trevor takes over behind the kit, and it's pretty obvious to tell he's not nearly as good as Ken was (although maybe with the type of direction the band is going for he doesn't really get an opportunity to shine.)

I'd say maybe half the songs on this album might be "listenable" to the 18v faithful, and the rest are just throwaways (or "Obsession" B-sides). The hardcore-meets-hardrock style that Eighteen Visions is going for works well sometimes on tracks like "Victim" and "Black and Bruised", and not so well on misses like "Truth Or Consequence" and "The Sweetest Memory" (both of which sound like poppy power ballads.) Elsewhere "Coma" is a welcomed surprised which its electronic driven verses, subtle screams and nice riffing. Probably one of the few saving graces. In the vein of the last record, "Our Darkest Days" leads off the album, although it is pretty horrid (sounds like orchestral singing over a breakdown, and yes that's bad). "Tonightless" is another "semi-ballad" style song (and the first single) that pretty much defines what most of the album is like. If you like that song, you'll love the cd; If you don't, then don't waste your time. The album totals at just over 45 minutes, and while it has its moments, seems to drag a bit near the end.

"Eighteen Visions" is the band's ultimate attempt at mainstream appeal. While it doesn't make me happy that they seem to have totally abandoned their roots in hopes of this, There's a few things about this record I like. If you're an older fan and expecting any kind of a return of sorts, then I'll tell you now that this is not it. If you dug "Obession" then most likely you'll fall in love with this cd just as easily. I can't help but feel dissapoited by how this band is just drifting into obscurity though. Maybe they just don't want to be lumped in with all of the run of the mill hardcore acts that are all over the place now adays. For that I don't blame them. It would have been nice for one of the first bands of this whole new-school metal-hardcore movement to show these new bands how you're supposed to do it though. Alas this isn't that record. You'll have to make the ultimate call, but I don't see this record making much of a lasting impression.

Well produced album but not really something I'm a huge fan of. Lots of whining about lost girlfreinds, broken hearts, woa is me kinda metal. For fans of AFI, MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, and AVENGED SEVENFOLD.

Eighteen Visions sounds like a blend of hard rock, progressive, and metalcore. most of the metalcore bands I have listened to have a screaming vocalist, which makes the vocalist of Eighteen Visions sound like he's whispering. not only is this band signed to Epic, but also Trustkill too. if you like metalcore bands (e.g. Killswitch Engage,etc),pick this up. also, I honestly don't know why there is a Parental Advisory sticker on this album, because they only cuss a few times in one or two songs. it's not like they are advocating violence or substance abuse.