Customer Reviews

Maylene and the Sons of Disaster

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Like their label-mates 'The Showdown', these guys have turned out a very solid & promising first album. They have a unique sound - it's not easy to compare them to any particular band out there. Edgy guitar tone, wide-ranging, well-done vocals and a very solid bottom end all in service to excellent writing and catchy, hook-laden riffs and leads. This band is a very welcome addition to the metal scene. The only real complaint I have is I don't think there are quite enough guitar solos. The guitarists are certainly capable (tracks 1 & 4), and tracks 2 & 8 have cool, bluesy-sounding solos that stumble lazily along, and it would be nice to hear them show-off a bit more.

And fix up your bar because this will put hair on you where hair doesn't belong. Crunchy riffs, clean solos, and ferocious vocals. It's a mix of hardcore and southern rock. The truth is in the music folks. Dixie-core...or Kentucky Fried Hardcore? Whatever you call it, it's an evolution. Give it a listen, you'll be out of Jack and back on your Harley and to your favorite bar in no time.

I didn't know what to expect when I put the headphones on to test this CD out, all I knew was Dallas from old Underoath was the singer. When I hit play, I was bombarded with riffs that would make even the dudes in Metallica crap their pants. This is metal more akin to Pantera or even modern groups such as He Is Legend and Disciple. If you like your music heavy, get this one. This is what I call Kentucky Fried Hardcore!!! For fans of: Pantera, Lynyrd Skynyrd, He Is Legend, The Showdown.

Dallas from underoath in a southern band? Yes it's true. This cd rocks, I didn't know what to expect but after listening to it I'm hooked. Just because it's Dallas from the OLD underoath, you can't expect it to sound like underoath. If you love the OLD underoath (not the NEW bull crap EMO) then you might not like this cd, it's not as hard as say "Cries of the Past" but it is still very GOOD....

Underestimated awsome young band. Full of hope and glory,full of glorious riffs but never full of themselves. A real down to earth tunefull metal band. Dallas has one of the richest,razor blade gargling voices in rock.
I have listened to all types of music over a 35 year period,all types of rock...there is just something very special about Maylene.

This band is great. Low down, grungy, furious southern-style hard rock. It's a phenomenal blend of highs and lows that makes you feel like you can take on the entire world. They also have a soft side though that really shines, exemplified in the song "Tale of the Runaways." Oh, and the lead singer is super nice. I met him after a concert and he was the chillest guy I've met in a long time. A+

I've listened to Dallas from Underoath and I loved his lyrics. These are a little different sounding than underoath because I think it's southern metal or something, but it is still Christian. I saw them about 2 times live and they are amazing live. One of the best songs on this album is "Just wanted to make mother Proud" and "Memories of the grove". I love in the beginning he references, "if the blinders were just gone, would you then feel Jesus". And also in just wanted to make mother proud it says "but it seemed to be so quiet around me, and out of nowhere I feel a peace cover me". It reminded me of the day I got saved and everything was peaceful and I felt a huge wave of relief come over me".

Having absolutely no familiarity at all with Underoath, which I've found from reading other reviews is the lead singer's former band, I can only speak of this album's vocals. More on that in a moment.

One thing I can say about this album is the music is absolutely fantastic. Heavy, groovy riffs with only the sparest moments of thrash. It's a perfect sound for someone like myself who loves heavy riffs but not too much speed, over-the-top double-bass drumming, and million-beat-per-minute timing. The breakdowns are great and those groovy, chugging, sometimes bendy riffs are original enough to not remind you of some other band's song.

Knocking this down a star (I reserve 5 stars for really momentous stuff) is the lead singer. He simply yells his way through the entire album, and I personally don't find his voice appealing. There's not a whole lot of variation, just yelling and yelling and yelling the same way in every song. He lacks the gut power and stylistic range of, say, Pantera's singer. Flat, uninspired yelling.

This can be chalked up to personal preference, of course. If you listen to the samples and like what you hear, be aware that what you hear is every moment of every song (except the final cut) with little variation.

First off this album is the heavier of the two maylene albums. The black metal fans of old Underoath should avoid this album unless you enjoy southern metal. Those same fans should also write their reviews with respect and just warn others of their style change for black metal to southern metal. Now, I enjoy this album a great amount. Also their live shows forces you to mosh, scream, and enjoy a great show.
1.Caution: Dangerous Curves Ahead 5/5
2.The Road Home to Panther Creek 5/5
3.Bang! The Witch Is Dead 4/5
4.Tough As John Jacobs 5/5
5.Gusty LIke The Wind 4/5
6.The Mind of A Grime 5/5
7.Lady At The Gate 4/5
8.Never Stop Haunting 5/5
9.Hell On The Rise 5/5
10. Just Want To Make Mother Proud* 3/5
*This is an acoustic, soft song, but still quite enjoyable*


And one other thing UNDEROATH ROCKS !!!!!!!!!

This is a great album, great songs beginning to end. This new "Southern Hardcore" is a breath of fresh air. Very innovative. I don't know if there are other southern hardcore bands, so I can't compare Maylene to any others, but it seems they've really got this thing nailed down. I typically listen to Norma Jean, The Chariot, Underoath, but Maylene is now my most listened-to.