Rise

Mankind Is Obsolete (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 12, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: CD BABY.COM/INDYS
• ASIN: B000CAGTF8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #456,770 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not as heavy or hard-hitting, but very very good., March 31, 2007

By 

thrush (southwest USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rise (Audio CD)

This album is not as harsh or heavy as their EP, Metamorph, nor is it as unrelentingly dark; in fact, there are a few tracks that are positive and even radio-friendly ("She" & "Victory", for example). Nevertheless, due to the sombre aesthetic and use of synths & distortion, I myself would classify this as coldwave/American-style industrial, rather than hard rock.

Regardless, this album is well above average in any category. The guitars are strong, the percussion competent, the vocals simply superb, the song-writing varied, and the lyrics thoughtful. I could wish that the bass was a bigger part of the mix or that a few of the tracks were longer, but this is not a huge detractor. There are a few stand-out, five-star tracks on here ("Beyond", "Still Right Here"), no weak spots, and no filler. And there is at least one song, "Someone Like You", fully as heavy as their first disc.

Rise is also quite accessible. Often I find that I have to listen to a new album 3 or 4 times before I can really digest it: this album had me hooked from the very first go. The radio-friendliness of some of the tracks would make this an excellent choice for people looking to transition from the likes of Evanescence or NIN to something more underground. There are also a couple of tracks ("More than What I Am", "Smile in the Dark") that should appeal to the old-school goth crowd, too.

If you are looking for another Metamorph, you may be dissapointed; nevertheless, this album is well worth the money. As an aside, if you ever get a chance to see MKIO live, I highly recommend you do so.

5.0 out of 5 stars Mankind is Obsolete - Rise, April 22, 2008

By 

DJ Deathwish (Tucson, AZ) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Rise (Audio CD)

I first came across Mankind is Obsolete when I booked them to play a club I was working at. I bought their first two CDs to properly promote the show, but I had a problem, I could not bring myself to take Rise out of my CD player! I drove around for two months straight with that CD blaring, and never grew tired of it. This is easily one of the greatest entries into the industrial rock genre ever produced. Needless to say, by the time the show came around, I was very familiar with their songs, and quite simply put, it was the best concert I had ever attended. Amazing live, amazing in the studio, and just all around great people. This band has extreme talent and are definitely ones to watch out for, and Rise is a CD that will not soon be forgotten. I'll put it like this: Rise is an amazing album from start to finish, and you just wish it would never end.