Monuments

This or the Apocalypse | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 16, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: LIFEFORCE RECORDS
• ASIN: B001DCMROQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #107,369 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Hailing from Lancaster, PA, This Or The Apocalypse brings what can only be regarded as "the thinking man's mosh" to the wor...see site for more info.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unexpectedly Amazing, September 16, 2008

By 

Kit Kitsch - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monuments (Audio CD)

It's amazing how much garbage has been released in the metal/hardcore scene over the past couple of years. That being said, I was pleasantly surprised by this release. I haven't thoroughly enjoyed an album this much in a few years. These guys have all the pieces of the puzzle, and this is honestly one of the best albums of 2008. And I just found out about them a few weeks ago.

With a name like This or the Apocalypse, I was expecting another trend rider of a band, throwing breakdowns around and pointlessly growling into the microphone. I was mistaken. The music is complicated, layered and heavy. This is the type of album it takes two ears to listen with, meaning you can't just stick one headphone in and start playing it. There's too much going on at once. And they handle it masterfully.

This is not a deathcore album. It's heavy, but it's very melodic. In fact it rides the melody instead of relying on being just plain brutal. The vocals are absolutely perfect for the music. Instead of forcing himself against the music, the vocalist screams with the music, creating perfect harmony with it. They faded the vocals against each other very well creating a layered sound. The vocalist doesn't have a lot of range, but he doesn't exactly need it. It doesn't feel like he's trying to impress anyone with how low or high he can get his voice. He's just going with the music.

The opener "No Horizons" pretty much sets the tone for the entire album. While it's not the best track on the album, it gives a good feel for how the albums will sound. It's pretty catchy, but I wasn't overly impressed when I first heard it. As soon as it hit "Monuments" I had a feeling that this album was going to be better than I thought. If you need a track to convince you to buy this album, listen to "Monuments." I wouldn't say it is the best song on the album, but it's the best song to start out with by far. It draws you in immediately and never lets up throughout.

After hitting off tracks like "Architeuthis" I didn't think it would get much better. Let me just say, the chose the perfect track to end this album with. It belongs nowhere else but the end. It's powerful, beautiful and feels epic. "Elegiac" is a tremendous track, and after listening to it, you'll have a hard time switching to another CD because of how impactful it is. I love it when bands end their CDs like this. It is absolutely perfect.

I have only one problem with this album and that's the rather fruitless track "Memento Mori." I understand what they were trying to do. It's is a peaceful track to rest from the dissonance of the others. But it really isn't that well done, and after listening to the rest of the album, I know they could've done better. It falls flat as a instrumental track.

Other than that, there isn't a lot wrong with this album. If you're a metal/hardcore fan this is definitely an album you have to check out. It's not incredibly original, but at the same time, I don't feel like it's really been done before. They have the breakdowns and the heaviness, but they don't go overboard with it. They just play the music, and that's what's important.

If you ever took a chance on an album from a band that you've never heard of, this is that album. I hope these guys get more popular because their way better than half the total crap that's out there. I honestly believe this is one of if not THE best album of 2008. Hell, even if you count 2007 AND 2008, this CD is one of the top.

5.0 out of 5 stars what an amazing album, January 19, 2012

By 

Rick E. - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Monuments (MP3 Download)

There isn't much else to say. This album is such a powerful piece of work. If you get a chance go see these guys live, you won't regret it.

4.0 out of 5 stars Makes me wonder why they went mainstream, December 10, 2010

By 

Rabid Lemming (Chico, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Monuments (Audio CD)

This album is loud and full of sounds, throughout the entire range of your speakers. It sounds methodical while melodious. Haunts what's left is very much out of character if this albums is what they were like. Not the packaged sound you'd expect. Just another band trying to make it's way in the world.