Customer Reviews

Hunter

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

These days I am increasingly becoming jaded with newer metal releases. They are all starting to run together for me, as metalcore takes over the metal world. As I Lay Dying, Darkest Hour, It Dies Today, The Agony Scene... are these all the same bands? I don't know anymore. Not that those bands don't have a few songs that I enjoy, its just that the scene is becoming saturated - much like the nu-metal scene did years ago (there was actually a time when nu-metal was exciting and new in the mid 90's).

Thankfully bands like LOSA and their fantastic Metal Blade debut are actually pushing the boundaries of creativity and fueling inspiration for metalheads like myself. Which brings us to another fine release in today's metal world - A Life Once Lost and their new record "Hunter".

This record surprised me in how much I'm enjoying it. Almost sounding like the filthy offspring of Meshuggah and Lamb of God, their beats, guitar crunch and vocal delivery have me bobbing my head whenever I'm playing it. This band has come a long way since their last record, and they have truly begun to carve out their own sound here. Guitar playing is top notch, with riffery heavy and cutting, with some pretty interesting leads that actually don't sound like In Flames! These guys also crank out some pretty competent solos amongst the chaos. Drumming is probably the star here (though I am admittedly biased toward drumming), with addictive double bass patterns that are the main source of the Lamb of God and Meshuggah comparisons - certainly not a bad thing.

Its not the be all or end all of metal records, but as a jaded metal fan who is always searching for the something new, something better (or a new Opeth record), this record has got me excited about a new metal release that I haven't felt much this year.

Recommended track - "Vulture", which is also their single. If you're not feeling that song, then this band probably won't do much for you. Give it a couple listens.

Although the new artwork is cool, the digipak isn't really worth getting if you already own the regular cd. The cd is left as is, while you'd think the dvd is what makes it worth getting if you're expecting live videos. This is not the case however. It even boasts on the sticker on the front that these videos were filmed at Hellfest, and Sounds Of The Underground. So immediately you think, "live, right?" Not really. Although, this features the music videos for Rehashed and Vulture (both were shown on Headbanger's Ball), the other videos featured on here are no different from them. No live audio. It's all music videos, with audio like what you hear on the cd's. I don't feel completely cheated considering that these guys are one of my favorite metal bands, and the content of the dvd was still good, just not what I had expected it to be. I've bought loads of special editions, limited editions, whatever you want to call them, and they were all worth it.

So if you already own the cd and are thinking about getting this, think carefully. You've been warned.

A Life Once Lost are the true definition of a band that has evolved over each album they have released. Open Your Mouth For The Speechless found them tirelessly searching for a musical identity, The Fourth Plague was much more of a tolerable listen, and A Great Artist brought forth their full experimentation in tech-metal ala the mighty Meshuggah but without the full creative scope to step out of the shadows. Enter Hunter.

The easiest way to describe A Life Once Lost at this point in their careers would be a quality mix of Meshuggah and Lamb Of God, certainly not bad comparisons to have. If you're tired of all the gothernburg riffing and crave something with intensity, this is for you. Hunter is chocked full of stop/start riffing, southern-tinged leads, and plunty of pummeling drum work. Rob Meadows vocals attack you like a rabid dog (think Randy Blythe but not quite as low pitched). What is perhaps nicest about this album is A Life Once Lost have taken the concept behind tech-metal and have become one of the very few bands that can actually write cohesive songs out of its format. Admittedly, towards the end of the album the songs start to feeling a little to similar and start to run into each other, but other than that theirs not much to complain about here. Highlight tracks include "Pain & Panic," "Vulture" and "Rehashed." For fans of Meshuggah, Lamb Of God, Into The Moat, and The Red Chord.

The Good
"Rehashed" is loaded with all the fury and bloodlust that all good death metal tracks are mode of. "Needleman" is dominated by driving guitar riffs and thunderous drums as it delves into the dark side of drug abuse. A mind-numbing lick is permanently burned into your head on "Pain & Panic." You can actually hear vocalist Robert Meadows foaming at the mouth as he foretells his victim's untimely demise. The dark and heavy instrumental "Salai" would make a great intro track for the band's live show. The keyboard tones really add an extra eerie element. "Ghosting" is full of hatred and disgust for the living as the evil spirit plots his revenge. A Life Once Lost doesn't even think about going soft with the concluding track "With Pitiless Blows."

The Bad
If I didn't have the lyric sheet, I'd have no idea what they were talking about.

The Verdict
Hunter is so punishing that you'll ears will bleed or you'll end up killing someone (kidding...don't kill anybody).

this album is amazing, a life once lost have created a monster, that is called "hunter". Yeah they sound like LoG with a bit of Messuggah thrown in, but they stepped it up with thier own groove. Hell Randy of LoG appears on "vulture". If you love heavy music and like LoG (who doesn't) you should buy this album. Ferret Music has found a gem. \m/\m/

Review by Mike Watson:

On their much anticipated follow up to the Deathwish Records release A Great Artist, A Life Once Lost do absolutely everything, but disappoint. Graduating to the larger arena of Ferret Records, A Life Once Lost have stepped it up a few notches with their latest effort Hunter.

Hunter is a completely appropriate title for this record with as relentless, violent, and absolutely vicious nature. Listening to the album can basically be summed up as listening to their previous album, while being tracked down and attacked by a rabid wolf. This album is by far the most destructive and malicious metalcore album to come out so far this year. Hunter showcases A Life Once Lost in their prime. Pick up this album immediately, but be ready to bare your teeth.

this sounds nothing like lamb of god. lamb of god is a good band, ALOL are fantastic. this is the best cd ive hurred since a great artist. these guys mix metal, hardcore and a wee bit of tech all togeather perfectly. if you like into the moat, yes, lamb of god. ha. messhugga, and slightly like the number 12 looks like you.(only in very small doses). so pretty much if you like any heavy music, you can find somthing on here for you.

I think that ALOL finally found their groove with this album. I think they discovered the style that suits them best and have developed a unique-sounding, southern metal tinged, and sonically amazing set. Of course I became hooked when I heard "Vulture", which is one of the best songs, but for me, the whole cd was very solid with lots of catchy, ear-shredding riffs and interesting, unusual song structures. In this genre, it becomes difficult for me to tell some bands from others. Unless they have a very unique vocalist or a trademark sound of some sort, it all blends together for me. And that is not to say that I don't enjoy it, but just that some bands don't stand out from others on the same talent level. ALOL definitely stood out to me, and I hope they release a new one soon! 4.5 stars.

A Life Once Lost has changed their sound several times, from the odd melodies of their melodic hardcore debut to the more straight forward work on their "Fourth Plague" ep. On "A Great Artist" the band once again reworked their sound, this time in favor of a heavily percussive sound in which rhythm and grove takes precedence over melody or blast beats. This is a sound made famous by the likes of Meshuggah and Pantera, both important bands whose influence runs far and wide. "A Great Artist" was a good album but it didn't hold my interest beyond a few tracks ("Maudelin" is killer). On "Hunter," however, ALOL has come nearer to perfecting their new sound and for the first time their chameleon-like attitude toward metalcore appears to have settled. But come to think of it, "Hunter" has its breakdowns, but in truth I wouldn't call this metalcore. It's more or less straight metal.

"Hunter" is, like most everything ALOL has done, an extremely aggressive album. The vocals are painfully screamed, also common fare for the band, and the instrumentation is constantly on edge and always razor sharp. The standout performance on "Hunter" is definitely in the drums. It is clear that the drummer put a lot of thought into every section of every song, figuring out how either to take the lead in moving the song forward, or accompany the guitar work by providing an intriguing polyrhythm. The production is huge, especially on the drums, and crunchy but clear on the guitar, and this certainly rounds out the album very nicely. There is enough melody in the guitars to give each song a hook and the song writing is more or less straightforward but in a way that lets the listener move effortlessly through the album, start to finish. It is indeed rare that I find an album I can listen to start to finish and really enjoy every song. Once or twice the pace is slowed for some brooding tracks like "Hunter" and the percussive instrumental "Salai".

A Life Once Lost are doing their own thing, despite that `thing' being clearly influenced by some predecessors, and that is refreshing. Don't expect any melodic, Swedish-influenced metalcore here. "Hunter" is good ol' fashioned rock'n'roll metal with a violent streak a mile long. This is some good stuff right here. Not groundbreaking, not top ten all time, but very good.

I don't write reviews for heavy CDs very often simply because saying "His screams are as good as they come" and "The band is one of the best around" gets old. But every once in a while I come across a heavy band that reminds me why I love the genre. A Life Once Lost is one of those bands. I had never heard of them, I just happened upon it at a local store one day and liked the name of the band. It was cheap so I bought it. I'll be the first to admit that the vocals aren't amazing, they're nothing you haven't heard, but for some reason they work. In an age where you're not 'hip' if you don't have some clean vocals, ALOL doesn't seem to care in the least.

This CD starts off with the adrenaline pumping anthem Rehashed. I personally think this is one of the best songs offered, but don't let that fool you, this whole CD is one good song after another. This track is just a straight up heavy, in your face, song. Needleman, in my opinion, is the low point of the disc. It's good, but the lyrics seem used and the music just isn't up to par. Vulture makes up for Needleman's shortcomings however. From beginning to end this is by far the catchiest track on here. The vocals, music, everything seems to follow in the wake of Lamb Of God. But of this I'm not mad, I love LOG, and ALOL makes this their own song. The title track, Hunter, earns the album's name. It's got a slower beat but it's one of the strongest songs included. The chorus is as memorable as a chorus can be and the guitar work is amazing. I love every second of it. Basically, this CD offers one heart-pounding track after another. Needleman is the only discernable low point I can think of. I will mention that With Pitiless Blows is a perfect way to end this. Everything you could gather from the title is everything this song is.

A few of my favorite songs are Rehashed, Vulture, Hunter, I Give In, and With Pitiless Blows. If this is a Lamb Of God clone as others are saying, I don't know, nor do I care, all that matters is that this begs for your attention, it deserves it too.