Customer Reviews

Shadow Line

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I am one of those people have followed godhead for quite some time now. I have pleasant memories of seeing them at the original hammer jacks in Baltimore Md. Or seeing them open a show at Jaxx in Springfield Va. I've watched this band constantly progress as time goes on. I am proud to say that Godhead has done their fans justice by releasing an excellent follow up to 2003s Evolver which I personally feel is the best Godhead have released to date.

Godheads' strengths have always been the powerful vocals/vocal melodies of Jason Miller. Jason's powerful heart felt and true to life lyrics. The excellent well crafted guitar work of both Jason and Mike Miller. Mikes well placed and well written guitar riffs, and Mike's solos. Mike can shred. If you want proof go listen to suffer the 12th track on power tool stigmata. Methods penchant for melodies and synth work, and simple yet effective groove driven bass lines. Weather it is the industrial laced nothing, or power tool stigmata. Or the powerful alt rock masterpiece Evolver.Godhed deliver solid slabs of music. Yes I know I did not mention 10,000 years of human error there. The reason why is, I feel that 10,000 years was honestly gOD Heads worst album. Not because of the song writing, because the songs are godhead tunes. The songs translate perfectly in a live setting. But because of the lack of control the band had over the production of the record. The fact that Manson and his people did not allow the guitar work to show. That it was completely synth driven to a fault and entirely too polished. I prefer the versions of Eleanor Rigby and Penetrate on Power tool to their versions on 10,000 years. As an example of my problems with the record. Having talked to Mike, at length about the pains of recording 10,000 years and some of the disappointment of how it turned out. I can say this with a confidence. 10,000 years just did not have all the elements that make godhead godhead. I feel that fans that got hooked on Godhead with this album just did not get an accurate portrayal of who the band is sonically. And have felt disappointed with the latter releases because of this.

Enter Evolver.

Evolver is one of those rare albums that brandish incredible songs that hit you immediately with catchy hooks powerful vocals, and brilliant song composition. Evolver isn't an album I listen to. It's an album I feel down to the core of my being. It is an album that encompasses the full spectrum of song writing. You have the industrial tinged rockers "The hate in me"," The give away" "keep me down"" Deconstruct" and Anyone else". The epic quality of "Just like you" and "Fade away". The huge choruses of "Far too long" and "Dream". The powerful industrial leaning ballads "Ghost of your memory" and "rotten" and the final tear jerker the acoustic ballad simply titled "without". This album had the personal touch of Jason's lyrics about failed relationships. This will hit most of us like a ton of bricks being thrown by the incredible hulk. The song writing is simple and well crafted. They don't overindulge in anything here, or over embellish. Proving to metal heads like myself that technical prowess doesn't always need to be used to craft a beautiful well written memorable album.

Now to the present.
Godhead have had allot going on in the past 3 years. Being dropped from their label after releasing arguably the best album of their career. They received no label support for touring or promo support for the album to mainstream radio. They signed to new record label cement shoes and begin writing for the shadow line.

The shadow line.
I just received the album recently. Though I had it pre-ordered.
The songs didn't hit me right off the bat this time around. As I had my first listen on duty. Now many spins later (as is usually the case for any well written album). I adore this record. Again Godhead shines here on so many levels. Starting from the top with the single "Trapped in your lies". This is an excellent well written mid tempo rocker. A sweet low end groove provided by James O'Connor(on the record) "drums" and Method "bass"., stellar solo by mike and a catchy chorus. That seems to be something Godhead does quite well. This tune requires a few listens to catch all the counter harmonies and layers running through the chorus in the back of the mix. Very well delivered. "Hey you" is the first of of several tunes to harkens back to the industrial roots of the band. This reminds me a lot of "anybody else off evolver with the strong vocals and crunchy guitar and another strong bass groove."The gift" is Godheads version of a standard alt rock tune. And for me an album highlight. The infectious vocal melodies combines with yet another groove will have this one floating in your head for quite awhile. Warning this track may cause excessive head bobbing during the chorus sections. "Fall down" is another album highlight. It is a great ballad with simple yet gut wrenching lyrics that describe what is to be in a relationship with someone. If you have been there this one may wet the eyes. with the Chorus lines" When I fall down face into the ground you see I ruin all that we should be but you just save it all" it hits my heart. We all have been there. "Push" is just another great mid tempo rock tune that sees Ben moody of evanescence fame add his writing chops into the mix. "Another Day is a tune I could honestly see being on power tool stigmata. It has that dark feeling with synth and guitar melding perfectly. It reminds me a bit of "bleed". "Once before" is another of the many mid tempo alt rock tunes that will have you singing it around the house or at school of the office. Listen carefully around 2:30 for the tempo shift and excellent solo by mike while not technical adds a bit to this tune. I should add the guitar solos and harmony parts on this album are used as accents and not focal points. A mark of song concerned musicians. Unrequited is another Power toolesque tune where syth is used throughout the song and you having the big vocal parts." Through the cracks" is an album highlight as well. It has this melody that grabs you from the start and just carries you trough the song. It shows just how well methods bass lines help to showcase Jason's soothing vocals. They carry his vocal melodies." Goodbye' is just another cool mid tempo alt rock tune.
"Your End of Days" has a cool almost synth pop feel to the verses that segue into more of a straight forward rock tune in the chorus. It's a solid tune but it had to grow on me.
"End of Your world "ends the album. It's a solid tune but I am not sure I would have picked it to close with.

Overall I think this is a great record. I wouldn't go as far as saying some tracks are filler, just not as strong as others. If you loved Evolver you'll want to get this cd. If you want a solid alt rock album with an industrial feel this is also for you. If you are looking for a dark 10,000 years-esque cd you won't like this. Bottom line is it is another solid album by a great band. Let's just hope the world takes notice this time.

I is without a doubt GODHEAD at their best. I first got into Godhead at the end of 2000 when I saw them open for Marilyn Manson. So when "2000 Year of Human Error" was released I picked it up and fell in love with it. Their next album was "Evolver", which was a step down in my opinion. Just when I was thinking that Godhead would never put out another great alblum they released "The Shadow Line". The best way I can describe this album is a cross between
"2000 Year of Human Error" and an Orgy album. Its a little less goth then their debut, but also better. I won't get into all of the songs but every track is great except for maybe track 5 (Push) and track 11 (Your End Of Days). Just buy it and see for yourself how good this record is.

I've been keeping track of Godhead since their beginning, and it's really been awesome to hear their evolution as songwriters and performers. The Shadow Line is a great follow-up to Evolver, an album which did not get nearly enough love from the industry. Evolver seemed to be an album where they came full-circle to a heavier, guitar-driven sound. This is the true strength in Godhead's sound, along with Miller's vocal work, which is proven again on The Shadow Line. The songwriting has again grown and added diversity, the production is kicked up a notch, the artwork and packaging show that The Shadow Line is an album that Cement Shoe Records believes in. Godhead follows an ancient tradition of putting out an album where all of the songs are great. You don't see that a lot anymore. I love it, I think it's awesome. An example to follow, buy this album.

These are my favorites:
The Gift
Trapped In Your Lies
Fall Down
Once Before
Through The Cracks

I guess Jason thought he had to toughen up the band's sound, while still retaining the hooks that made the third and fourth albums so memorable. Well, he succeeded in doing just that here. But, somehow, the band sounds like it's going through the motions too many times. Sure, they still knock it out of the park ("Push" and "Once Before" are breathtaking), but they also falter too often ("Hey You" and "Unrequited"). So, in sum, we have a good album that is better suited as background music at an event than it is for headphones.

If you enjoy Godhead, then this is a must have. If you enjoy any type of music, this is a must try. If you like thought provoking Rock/Metal, then this is a great addition to your collection.

I've been a huge fan of gODHEAD since I first heard them...I bought Power Tool Stigmata and 2000 Years of Human Error and loved them...Evolver was pretty whiney but at least you could rock out to some of the songs....this is just pure emo rubbish. I know their songs have never exactly been positive, but at least they had that good old-fashioned metal energy...this is just whine whine whine...I'm ashamed I ever bought this album, I actually have it tucked away in a drawer so nobody can see it. I used to love these guys...hung out with them at a concert, etc, but their music is quickly turning into whiney emo crap and I, for one, am not buying another one of their albums unless they stop boohoo'ing and start rocking again. Not trying to downplay anybody else's taste, but I don't want somebody else making the same mistake I did, thinking it was going to be energetic metal when it's more "I am a sea of sorrow."

godhead is amazing and so is this cd

I am a new fan to Godhead. The first album I listened to was Evolver and I really enjoyed that album. When I found out they were finally coming out with something new..I couldnt wait to pick it up. Im glad I did although the sound is different from Evolver It is a nice change. However, I respect the versatility. I loved this new album and my favorite songs are #1, 3, 6&7, in no particular order. I recommend everyone pick up this cd.

Once upon a time there was an incredible coldwave/industrial band called Godhead who, despite years of powerful music, had not yet managed the recognition they deserved, until at long last with their third album they were finally seen by the world as truly intelligent musicians.

After the album that made them a popular name in alternative music, they created another album which sounded forced and dorky, but we forgave them for it.

But then a terrible band of pillagers known as emos came along and began invading good music, listening to it just to call themselves different and misunderstood, but they took the members of Godhead and forced them into submission, telling them to make the music they wanted: shallow, childish, non-talented, and lots of it. Thus, The Shadow Line, a 12-track crapfest was born, destroying the artistic integrity Godhead had worked so har for so long to achieve.

But hey, emos are everywhere, they'll buy anything, so who cares, right? Why should the band care about the fans that were there for them, really understanding their art form? Okay, maybe the band, which they themselves claim to say, wanted a more live-friendly album, but did they not realize that that literally meant dumbing down their music? But it isn't just that, the music sucks, is like I said before, childish emo pop-rock. It's obvious Godhead wants to cash in on the new fad of radio alternative, whether they care about shunning their old fans and their past catalogue for a few extra dollars.

I have been a Godhead fan for a long time now. I've watched them change their musical style as well as their image over the years. They started out as a hard rock act back in the late 90's with their self-titled debut album(Godhead), then slowly added keyboards and other electronics into their music on their next two releases(Nothingness/Powertool Stigmata). Between Powertool Stigmata and 2000 Years Of Human Error they maintained a goth rock sound that suited them quite well. Powertool Stigmata is a fantastic album and one of my favorites. With the release of Evolver, the band stripped away many of the electronics(not all of them mind you), but retained the awesome melodies and hard rock edge they are known for. That album is amazing and I love the crunchy guitar and subtle piano/synth lines they added to songs like Ghost Of Your Memory and Far Too Long. Although I love Godhead's gothy material, I think they function better as a hard rock band, and Evolver proves this so well. The band is capable of making very modern melodic rock, but without being trendy or mainstream. In other words, they are highly original.

Which brings us to the new album. The Shadow Line picks up where Evolver left off, maintaining the melodic hard rock sound. This album is a few steps more accessible than Evolver, but is still 100 times better than anytihng on the radio...like Hoobastank. Trapped In Your Lies is an awesome hard rock song with a smooth melodic chorus. An easy pick for a single. Your End Of Days shows us that The Method is still great at adding cool piano parts to compliment the albums more melodic tracks. Once Before has a great chorus as well. The only song I dont like is Fall Down. As much as I love Godhead, that song is actually a little too mainstream sounding for me. It sounds like a million other rock ballads I've heard before in the last 5 years. Pretty boring song. But other than that, this album is filled to the brim with soaring melodies(Jason Miller has an amazing vocal range), subtle electronics, and a healthy dose of hard rock. If you liked Evolver at all you must get this because it carries the same style. If you simply like the band for their Powertool Stigmata/Human Error era, then you will prolly not like this. The bottom line is that Godhead is still a very creative band, as well as a breath of fresh air in a world of bland, uninspired, and manufactured bands like the booming emo and hardcore scene. Buy this album if you like REAL melodic hard rock. Get their older material too because all their stuff is killer. Nuff said.