Customer Reviews

I, Lucifer

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

 

 

Hey everyone.

I will begin by saying that Destroy the Runner's debut album "Saints" was one of the best metalcore albums I had heard in a long time. Incredibly catchy chorus', with very well done singing, heavy breakdowns, and good screaming. All around a solid album.

Then I heard the new track off of "I, Lucifer" titled "Mr. and Mrs. Cuckoldom." I knew instantly, having heard that they were going for a new a sound, what the sound was going to be. More melodic, more of an "emo" sound (which I don't think this is emo, he's a higher pitched singer, doesn't mean it's emo."

Having listened to the entire album a few times now, I can say this. The new sound is good. Is it as good as Saints? No. Is it different than Saints, and for that matter, different from many other sounding bands? Yes.

If your looking for old DTR, with lots of screaming, heavy breakdowns, with soaring choruses, you won't find that here. But here is what you will find.

1. Crumbs for the Murder - 5/5 - Very solid opener. The heaviest on the CD. The drumming is well done throughout (this song and the entire album). Classic DTR formula here. Still not as well done as "From the Red" (From Saints, one of the greatest metal songs I've ever heard). The riff throughout the song is very memorable and it works nicely.

2. Isabella's - 5/5 - I really like this one. I like the chorus, its very catchy, and well done. I really like DTR's new harmony's, it sounds very nice with the new singer. The drumming really drives the song here again. Kudos to their drummer.

3. Mr. And Mrs. Cuckoldom - 5/5 - The first song I heard of the new album. Very good track. More screaming in this song.

4. A Bag of Marbles - 4/5 - Solid Track. Nothing to stand out, but overall a good song.

5. I, Lucifer - 4/5 - Not really sure about this song. Its a good song, with a nice main riff, just not to sure why they chose it for the title track of the C.d. I like the singing in it, but nothing to stand out again.

6. It's Always Colder in Paris - 5/5 - Very good song. The chorus is incredible catchy. Its run time is only 2:37, which is kind of disappointing coming from one of the best songs on the CD. Overall, very solid track.

7. A Pathetic Psalm - 5/5 - Some more screaming on this song. Not enough though. Soaring chorus, with backing screaming, which is nice to hear. One of the better tracks on the CD.

8. Luxuria - 5/5 - The opening few seconds sound like it could start out really heavy, with a nice breakdown, but it doesn't unfortunately. Good chorus, heavy guitars, driving drumming. Good song.

9. On Falling Leaf - 5/5 - I really like the singing in this track. Good backing screaming as well. One of the heavier songs on the album. Catchy chorus, with the drumming really driving the emotion in the song. One of the best.

10. A Novel of War - 4/5 - Probably the most melodic, softest song on the CD. Lots of really high pitched singing, almost sounding like Protest the Hero singing at some points. The chorus is decent. Nothing to special here.

11. A Mountain So Big, A Question So Small - 3/5 - Kind of disappointing for a closer. Its an ok song, nothing to great.

Overall this CD is very good, it has alot of strong points, and few not so strong.

The Upside: Solid drumming, excellent singing, creative songs.

The Downside: Not heavy enough, by a long shot. Saints had some of really heavy moments, this album does not.

Hope this was helpful! Enjoy I, Lucifer everyone. Kudos DTR.

Mike.

Destroy The Runner's first album, "Saints", was a fantastic debut release. Many people compared the band to As I Lay Dying at the time, as there were many similarities between the two. Despite not being overly original, the album was solid and catchy. "I, Lucifer" is almost the complete opposite of Saints. There is absolutely nothing wrong with change and musical progression for a band, but this switch was drastic. First of all, I will admit that the drumming is still very good. The rest of the music, however, now sounds like generic alternative emo rock, with boring, melodic lead vocals.

I'm not disappointed simply because Destroy the Runner doesn't scream much anymore, I'm simply upset that they've become a non-aggressive, non-technical, emo band. The guitar playing on Saints was much more complex and better sounding than on this release, and the vocals were more passionate. Some fans will undoubtedly accept the change and enjoy this album, but many fans that loved Saints will not think too highly of this release. With this album, Destroy the Runner sounds more like Fall Out Boy than themselves. The bottom line is, there are many emo bands out there today that sound much catchier than Destroy the Runner does on this release, so I find it unlikely that this album will take their careers to the next step. DTR must resort back to their roots on their next release!

I mostly got this CD for the song "its always cold in paris" and theres some other songs that are alright but overall this CD was pretty lame. listen to the whole cd before you buy it.

"I, Lucifer" is not the metalcore sound that you may have been looking for with Destroy the Runner's sophomre release. This album is more of a "heavy rock" album but myself, being a metal/metalcore fan still can enjoy this album. "I, Lucifer" starts off heavier than it ends with "Crumbs for the Murder" beginning with a heavy sound and good screaming vocals but the album than shifts to more singing and less heavy instrumentals. If you loved Destroy the Runner's first release "Saints" than you may not be that into "I, Lucifer" but i say give it a chance and if you like bands like Breaking Benjamin than you just may be satisfied with this similar style Rock album.

At first, I was angry that this album was nothing like Saints.

Then I actually listened to it. The vocalist really drives the point home that he is a real singer. He's really good! His vocal quality doesn't soar through any roofs, but the quality is very good and impressively consistent. The lyrics have a few slack moments, but in large part they really do this effort justice.

What I love about this album is the the atmosphere that the sound creates. The band keeps things relatively aggressive even amidst all the melody and smooth-flowing delivery. They do that mainly through the fresh, creative rhythms and strong drum performance.

I commend the band for this effort. Very good work. I'll be looking for more aggression next time around, but I have absolutely no resentment toward this one.

I've never really gotten into Destroy the Runner in the past, but I was drawn in by the couple songs that I heard on their myspace and some good words from my friends.

After I listened to the album all the way through I decided that they have a little flair that separates them from other melodic/hardcore bands. I believe that how the singer chooses to sing on the lower end of his vocal range is very interesting and unique. Good for him.

It's a solid album. I've heard lots of bands from the genre and they're not breaking new ground, but it's apparent that they're good at what they do.

I cant get enough of this album. There might not be as much screaming in this one compared to the last but it is just as inspiring, motivating, and entertaining. I got this album the first day it came out and i'm still not bored of it. If you like heavy chords with melodic singing and occasional screaming, youll like this album!!

I am probably one of the few to review this item who was introduced to this band with this album. I have no basis for comparison to previous albums but I love this bands sound. The only reason they lose a star is because the songs are not as consistent as on great albums but still, these guys have their own thing. I personally like the fact that the first song on this album is the heavisest in terms of screaming because the message in this song is very powerful, and makes it contrast to the songs with less screaming. I would have to agree that the drumming on the album is top motch and the lead singer is very talented. These guys take a step up from the traditonal "scream during the verse and sing during the chorus" formula that many bands seem to adhere to. They sound like they are more interested in making music their way, and to me it really shows. If these guys keep moving onward and upward we can expect to hear amazing things from this band. Great album.

Its sad that the metalcore fans view Destroy the Runner's evolution as going "emopop". Sure I Lucifer is a more melodic album that definitely leans to emo - its a shift from their Saints album we all love.But judge it on its merits not your hunger for more of the same. Kudos to M. Walton for a thorough and well balanced review of this album. Tthis album is a valient and largely successful attempt to evolve the band's sound, explore new options and still provide the heavy, hard driving foundation that brought the fans to the Saints. As with was the case with Saints, huge kudos to drummer Marc Kohlbry who really is the backbone of all that is great about Destroy the Runner.

'Saints' is one of the premier metal core albums ever and rates with

Still Remains 'Love and Lunacy', and any As I Lay Dying.

I'm disappointed mainly with the clean vocalist in 'I, Lucifer'. They really had the vocals nailed in 'Saints'. This albums production is weaker, yes more 'emopoppy'.

This band has real talent when it comes to core metalcore writing, and production. There is no need to change anything!!! You can build on that

God given talent guys! I look to their third album, hoping they are learning their lesson, and I can hear a 'Saints II' come out.