Customer Reviews

An Ocean Between Us

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

i got into this band back in 2004 and was obviously blown away. eagerly awaiting for "shadows are security" when i caught word that they were writing material for the next album and again i was in awe. everything about this band is top notch. inciteful lyrics, stellar musicianship, high energy rythyms and heart felt melodicsm.. as i lay dying in a nutshell. now you have to give credit where it's due, i hate it when i hear some reviewer saying nothing but terrible things about this band because they're all christians. that's just being narrow minded and ignorant.
now with that being said "an ocean between us" raises the bar again. they've obviously changed their sound but kept their signature elements. the vocals are more discernable and there are more sung vocals too with out sounding like your generic "metalcore" wannabe band currently out there ripping off every good riff from as i lay dying. this time around there's even a ballad type song on this disc and it just proves that whatever this band wants to do it can and make it sound so incredibly good.
if you're into extreeeeeeeme music this is a must have.

I have no qualifications for reviewing this album as a musical expert or critic. I can, however, tell you what I think as a long-time lover of metal and rock. I first came across AILD through their video "The Darkest Nights," went out and bought "Shadows Are Security"--and was blown away! Not only do these guys bring high energy to their hard-edged sound, they add melodic vocals and chord changes.

"An Ocean Between Us" is just as good as the previous album. It doesn't have the rawness that pervaded "Frail Words Collapse," yet the relentless onslaught remains. The lyrics, as always, are thought-provoking, full of symbolism, and the music has some new things while not deviating too far from their established sound. I still haven't decided if this is better than SAS, but it hasn't worn out yet. I'm still listening, still discovering new things, still loving AILD.

If you're a fan, this is some good stuff. If you're just getting introduced, AOBU is a great place to begin.

After 30 reviews and an average rating of 4 1/2 stars, that alone should tell you this album is worth checking out. I consider myself a lifelong metal connoisseur dating back the the early 80's so I think I'm as qualified as anyone to speak about quality metal albums. I don't claim to be THE authority on metal by any means, but I've been around long enough to have a historical perspective on what good metal and bad metal is. Younger generations, through no fault of their own simply do not have the benefit of hindsight when it comes to rating new material. They often don't know a recycled or ripped off product when they hear it because they aren't old enough. It doesn't make their opinion less valid mind you, just less informed.

That said, there are a lot of metal bands out there to sift through from all sorts of sub-genres and styles. So many sound the same and so much of the music is utterly forgettable. Rare is a band that stands out so clearly that it warrants across the board recommendation regardless of your specific tastes in metal. As I Lay Dying is that band and An Ocean Between Us is that album.

Incredible musicianship, incredible vocal work, pensive lyrics, gargantuan riffs, memorable solos, melodic sensibility (yes, actual melody has been heard in a metal album again!) and impeccable song structure make this album stand at the top of the list of metal releases in 2007. AOBU grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go until the final track ends. Expect to hear much more from As I Lay Dying. I suspect the best of this bunch is yet to come.

As I Lay Dying began their career as a true crossover band. But for their junior effort, 2005's "Shadows Are Security," their sound adopted a surprisingly "more metal" edge (i.e. occasional clean backing vocals and guitar solos). In this reviewer's opinion, that was a solid, if not at all mindblowing album, but it did well with fans, and went on to sell a fairly whopping 275,000 copies. Thus, now, two years later, AILD's influences (hardcore and metal) have rather non-surprisingly shifted even further in favor of the latter. Their newest offering, 2007's "An Ocean Between Us," takes more than a few cues from the likes of Killswitch Engage (and almost every other modern metalcore group for that matter) by adopting big, cleanly-sung, and often emo-ish choruses.

What is surprising about this album is how successful it turned out to be. Even though this standard metalcore heavy/melodic verse/chorus formula has been driven into the ground over and over again, As I Lay Dying do an exceedingly good job of it here. They have struck a superbly effective, tasty, memorable, rich, and well-rounded balance of thrashy, hard-hitting, blood-pumping aggression and infectiously catchy, sweet, commercially accessible melodies.

And the record's even bigger and more delightful surprise is its impeccable musicianship, particularly the guitar work of Phil Sgrosso and Nick Hipa. Both of these axemen are fairly young and overlooked, but they will more than likely start to get the credit they deserve now. They sound extremely confident and play to their full potential throughout this record, and they chock every one of these eleven songs (discounting "Separation" and "Departed," two moody interlude tracks) full with tons of positively excellent and very deft, powerful, energetic, and muscular thrash riffs. And not only that, but they've gotten quite competent at and comfortable with soloing, too! Elsewhere, frontman Tim Lambesis turns in a visceral, heartfelt performance on the microphone (he does all of the harsh, dirty vocals), and newfound band member Josh Gilbert does a really nice job at the melodic singing parts, as well as helping to steady the rhythm section by tossing in a handful of solid bass lines. Finally, drummer Jordan Mancino's talents have also improved greatly since "Shadows Are Security." He anchors and sometimes drives these songs with an abundance of impressively skillful, technical, and forceful double bass and blast beats. Overall, "An Ocean Between Us" lands somewhere between KSE (whose guitarist, Adam D., produced this disc, by the way), Atreyu/Trivium, Slayer, Metallica, At The Gates, and Lamb of God.

Opener "Nothing Left" wastes no time, and dives head first into thrash fury. It begins with some fiery, chugging, groove-oriented leads that almost be outtakes from Metallica's second full-length, 1984's classic "Ride the Lightning." These leads are driven home by suitably strong, hammering drums, thunderous rhythms, and a good, epic chorus. Two guitar solos (one melodic, the other blazing) also come ripping through during this song. Set closers "Wrath Upon Ourselves" and "This Is Who We Are" work similarly - the former boasts a breakneck, and almost crushingly brutal beginning, and the latter features more hot, crunching licks. But both tunes remember to counterbalance their aggressive parts with an open catchy chorus (the latter is also of note for its cool piano outro).

Elsewhere, there are three main highlights from a melodic standpoint. "Forsaken" (which has a peaceful classic metal intro) and "I Never Wanted" are probably the closest things to a ballad you'll find on this album because both are centered around huge, anthemic, sweetly crooned and terrifically soaring choruses that seem tailor made for singing along with and getting stuck in your head. Also of note, the almost buzzsaw riffing in "The Sound of Truth" is ultimately held down by a wonderfully epic and memorable, Gothenburg melodeath-influenced melodic leads. A melodic, winding solo (which is possibly As I Lay Dying's best to date) also crops up here.

However, on the flip side, there are a handful of decisively heavy standout tracks here, too. The ripping title cut is bolstered by propulsive, scathing riffage, pounding drums, and hardcore-worthy vocals (though the onslaught does briefly relent for some well-placed guitar harmonies and emo-lite vocals in the choruses). Later on, "Within Destruction" and "Comfort Betrays" play like full-on thrash, and are absolutely blistering, rocketing, and rip-roaring riff monsters. These songs evoke the heyday of Slayer, are bursting at the seams with brutal guitar-drum interplay (including lots of pummeling blast beats), and don't both with any vocal pleasantries (they substitute slow breakdowns for melodic choruses). Lastly of note, "Bury Us All" heaps on even more caustic, heavy-duty, turbo-charged riffs and driving, booming double bass kicks, especially deep, mean, and from-the-gut bellows. Some humming bass notes, a hardcore-esque shout-along refrain, and a superbly ripping solo (which lasts about twenty seconds) are also tucked into the mix.

As I Lay Dying were never the most unique or original band out there, and unfortunately, "An Ocean Between Us" does nothing to change that. It does feature their all-time best, and most mature, powerful, memorable, realized, and contagious songwriting and musicianship, though, so it does mark a huge step forward for the band (this is doubtlessly their finest work yet). So, in conclusion, few will debate that "AOBU" is a milestone in modern metal, but it is a heavy, intense, sometimes brutal, immensely enjoyable, thoroughly listenable, and overall very fulfilling album from beginning to end. Recommended.

This is the best hard album I've listened to in a while. AILD keeps the same overall style as Frail Worlds and Shadows, but the songs feel a little bit quicker and more complex. This record features some of the bands hardest and softest moments. There is also a lot more singing. In some of the songs, the singing seems a bit forced and therefore takes something away from the music.
Don't get me me wrong, overall, this is a fantastic album, and have no worries that AILD tried to sell out or anything like that, because the music on this album is as aggressive, or more, than it has ever been. I think that the increased amount of singing on this album is due to a genuine attempt at expanding their style as artists and not merely an attempt to attract a more mainstream audience.
The music on this record is brutal and it really got my adrenaline going, and the lyrics are thoughtful and positive (ironic huh)? This album is a must buy for any fan of harder music.

I hear traces of all the possible influences that contribute to this albums homogeneity. Don't get me wrong, the sound they produce in "An Ocean Between Us" is definitely unique. So well done is this album, that it lends to a very impressive forceful dynamic listen. I only hope they can continue this trend they've set and improve to this degree in their future albums, while remaining innovative and discerning at the same time. I heavily recommend this purchase to any die hard whom can appreciate the grassroots/progressive mixture of hardcore metal and hardcore punk genres.

This album is horrifyingly beautiful, kinda like a disembowelled supermodel trying to strangle you with her entrails in the middle of an intimate act!! Time signatures so rapid and precise like a mexican knife fight on amphetamines as well incredible vocals so melodic that you'll murmur "I never wanted...." this music to stop playing!!!! You'll swear two gorillas high on cocaine have taken up residence inside your ear canals!!

This album is not one to casually skim really quickly; I did when it first came out and if you don't pay attention you might think "yeah it's ok but not as good as the last album." I put it away for awhile and then came back to it and let me say this album grows on you. You end up liking it more and more with every listen. The grooves are thick like molasses with large, picturesque scenery through the building crescendos. Then it breaks down leaving you defenseless and then pummels you again. The first track is very reminiscent of "battery" from Metallica, with an awesome intro that pulls you in and then kicks it up a notch with sharp staccato riffs and insane double bass blasts. Not enough to be a rip off, just enough to be a snifter; a taste if you will, of greatness. Track 9 might be the best metal song I have ever heard period. So dense and layered like a thick forest with an intense storm blowing through it. The imagery is amazing and makes you feel like your listening to the soundtrack of the biggest gut wrenching Epic movie you've ever seen. Just kick back and turn it up loud and drink in all the subtle nuances and beauty. I'm into all kinds of music but to me these guys are the cream of the crop for what they do. It's really one of those gems in a sea of mediocrity, where sometimes bands in this genre think faster and louder is better but they forget about the subtleties and what makes this type of music the most interesting...

It's refreshing to see a young band continuously improve through good, old-fashioned hard work. As I Lay Dying's 2003 debut Frail Words Collapse was a C+ at best, but showed glimpses of something special looming. Two records and an absurd amount of tour dates later, we're talking about one of the best pure-metal bands America has to offer (which may or may not be saying much, depending on the length and color of your hair). An Ocean Between Us rocks with the same vicious force of 2005's Shadows Are Security and has a sense of urgency that wasn't always apparent in previous efforts. The band still inject melodies into the album's obvious singles, but Ocean is clearly a relentless, 45-minute speed-metal romp (minus the throwaway 80-second intro track) that sits better with Scandanavian metal gods At The Gates and the Haunted than previous comparisons to more melody-driven bands like Killswitch Engage. Even the lyrical content is stepped up, despite seeming a bit of an afterthought against a sea of blastbeats and terrorizing guitar riffs. Three records deep, it's hard to tell where the boys from San Diego can progress next, but we can safely say the product finally equals the hype, and that's a great thing.

This is definately one of my favorite metal albums of 2007 thus far. When I bought and listened to As I Lay Dying's brand new album "An Ocean Between Us" over the summer, I was definately blown away and taken by surprise. Not only is this album blow the band's previous stuff right out of the water, it's also heavy as a sledgehammer and brutal as a trainwreck and even melodic at times as well, I mean it's just downright catchy and addicting. I'm very glad that AILD really took a bigger step forward with this album and improving on so many things, including the addition of more melodic singing vocals, better songwriting especially the choruses, and even the guitarwork as well. Guitarists Phil Sgrosso and Nick Hippa really took me by surprise with their thrash metal riffs, melodies, and solos, yes I said solos and some very good ones too. The breakdowns are as strong as ever too. Lead vocalist Tim Lambesis just rips throughout on this album with his powerful screams and you can actually understand what he's saying as well. Bassist and backing vocalist Josh Gilbert delivers some awesome melodic singing vocals especially on songs like "Forsaken", "I Never Wanted", and "The Sound of Truth", and his bass is very strong and follows the guitars very well too. And of course Jordan Mancino's slaughtering machine like double bass drumming is just unstoppable throughout as well. This guy is without question one of the best drummers in metal, and he definately can drum with the best of them.

"An Ocean Between Us" starts off with the 1:15 instrumental "Separation" which has some nice mellow chords and a nice melodic riff, then moments later the relentless assault begins with the second track "Nothing Left" which includes a barrage of catchy surging guitar riffs and clobbering double bass drum assaults, and there's also a nice guitar solo as well. Next up is the title song which features a nice melodic chorus as well as some fast thrashing riffs and more great drumwork. Track four "Within Destruction" (another highlight and my favorite song on the album) is an absolute pure metal assault of raging howls, fast trainwrecking double bass drums and deadly rampaging riffs that definately bring vintage Slayer and Lamb of God to my mind. At the 1:03 mark the song breaks down to a slower steady pace with a nice catchy melody and some whispering vocals, but then at the 2 minute mark, the ruthless assault resumes. My favorite part of the song is where Tim is bellowing out the line "All That is Hope Within Destruciton". This song no doubt would definately give Slayer and Lamb of God a big run for their money. Another highlight and favorite "Forsaken" a big catchy brutal yet melodic number which features an addicting guitar melody at the beginning as well as some more punishing riffs, a headbanging double bass drum beat, and an absolutely addicting melodic singing chorus while track six "Comfort Betrays" is an all out thrashing headbanging assault with more hammering double bass drum patterns, powerful riffs, and a blazing solo to boot. The next track "I Never Wanted" is a nice slow mid tempo ballad which features, a nice steady drum beat, slow lurching riffs, and Tim's screaming vocals really blend well with Josh's clean singing vocals. Track nine "The Sound of Truth" another highlight features a fast driving double bass drum beat, killer riffs as well as some catchy melodies and an awesome careening solo to boot. "Wrath Upon Ourselves" is another punishing assault that features more rampaging double bass drums, gut punching riffs, a pair of nice solos, and Tim's visceral roars as well as Josh's melodic vocals in the chorus, and finally we come to the closing track "This is Who We Are" which starts off with some slow melodic chords, then quickly a barrage of headbanging riffs and mean double bass drum assault come in to the playing field. The chorus is very addicting too. Then around the 3:30 mark we have a nice catchy piano interlude near the end of the song.
Jeremy's song ratings:
1. Separation (1:15) - 4/5
2. Nothing Left (3:43) - 5/5
3. An Ocean Between Us (4:13) - 5/5
4. Within Destruction (3:54) - 10/5 My favorite song
5. Forsaken (5:18) - 5/5
6. Comfort Betrays (2:50) - 5/5
7. I Never Wanted (4:44) - 5/5
8. Bury Us All (2:23) - 5/5
9. The Sound of Truth (4:20) - 5/5
10. Departed (1:40) - 4/5
11. Wrath Upon Ourselves (4:01) - 5/5
12. This is Who We Are (4:54) - 5/5

Overall, I definatlely rank As I Lay Dying's "An Ocean Between Us" among some of favorite metal albums of 2007 including Machine Head's "The Blackening", Megadeth's "United Abominations", Chimaira's "Resurrection", Arch Enemy's "Rise of the Tyrant", Dream Theater's "Systematic Chaos", Behemoth's "The Apostasy", Type O Negative's "Dead Again" Immolation's "Shadows in the Light", and so forth.

Bottom line, if you're a fan a As I Lay Dying, metal, metalcore, or just heavy music in general, you should definately give "An Ocean Between Us" a shot. Even fans of thrash metal may like it as well. Peace Out!!