Customer Reviews

You Come Before You

5 star:		(66)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

Ah, Poison the Well. Every genre needs a band people can easily point to as an indicator of what other bands in the genre should strive for; for hardcore, that bands remains Poison the Well. This is their third release, and their first on a major label. This didn't phase me in the least, because if you've heard their last two albums, it's a pretty safe bet their not changing their style for anyone, and thank God. The only difference I immediately noticed was the sound quality: it is much improved here as compared to "Opposite of December" and "Tear From the Red." This was a wonderous discovery as I first played through this album a while back; now the sound just pummels you and never lets up. Poison the Well still has some of the best vocals in hardcore, period (and this doesn't change from the last two albums). This album mixes more melodic parts in with the screaming (which, as always, is the standard style), and they are placed perfectly (don't think this is all melodic though because they've changed labels...screaming is still the standard style). I couldn't ask for better placement. Poison the Well's lead singer always maintains that he never tries to place the melodic parts in with the heavy parts; it just happens, and it appears so natural it's beautiful.

I actually like the vocals more on this album than the last two. They just seem perfect, and the improved sound quality really brings out his scream (I saw someone compare it to Atreyu, I think this is somewhat okay, but Atreyu's is almost a spoken growl, where this is full-out screaming with a guttural feel). The music is also almost perfect through the whole album. Let's break it down:

The good about "You Come Before You":
Did I mention the vocals? Wow. If you like hardcore/metal/metalcore (or heavy music with screaming) you will love this. These are just plain awesome vocals with impressive lyrical content to back it up. There are few bands who cane claim to have such impressive vocals, so if you're into the genre, but have yet to hear Poison the Well, stop waiting because you're doing yourself a disservice. Oh, and the music? Perfect as well. The music is forceful and driving throughout, with some perfectly placed softer spots with some melody. You can't ask for more here. "Ghostchant" hits hard and this album never stops. "Loved Ones" is probably one of my favorite tracks: the vocals here just give me chills they're so good, and lyrics that are thoughtful and bring out the rage of the singer even more ("If I could flip this table, I'd stab you, I'd stab you with every word that lied its way out of your head"). There is no letting up though after that onslaught. When we get to "Meeting Again for the First Time" we get a false sense of security as it starts nice and slow with some nice singing until it explodes into a frenzy of emotion. Beautifully done. "Apathy Is a Cold Body" also stands out as a great track (then again, they all do). This song is a 5 minute gem that really shows how well they mix melodic singing in with some of the most intense screaming in hardcore.

Few albums will give you such impressive vocals (this guy has some serious talent...as well as some serious anger) throughout the entire album. They continue to improve their playing as well, and the music will pummel you throughout, offering only small sanctuaries and only for a short time before you're right back into it. Hardcore doesn't get much better than this. These guys continue to show why they are considered the leading hardcore band.

The bad:
"The Opinionated Are So Opinionated" is a softer instrumental track, and I think it's well placed in the album, but I know they could have done better for a soft, melodic instrumental track. Not to say it's bad, but I know it could be better, and I usually end up skipping it. Besides this, I can't find much to complain about. It delivers just what it should and does it like only Poison the Well can.

Recap:
Poison the Well has always been that band people point to in hardcore (or so it seems). Many consider them the leader of the hardcore charge, and I can't really see a reason to disagree. They are most certainly one of the most talented hardcore bands around. If you're into hardcore, pick this up, you'll love it. And if you're a Poison the Well fan from the last two albums, don't even hesitate here: go buy it, they have lost nothing from their move to a major. Lyrically sound, vocally superior, and musically excellent just about sums up this album. A must for any fan of heavy music.

Overall rating: 94/100

Poison the Well's newest release is their fist on a major label, but don't expect to see them to make an appearance on TRL. This album is more dynamic than their others, with more singing and melodic interludes but also harder-hitting guitars and drumming. Also, the vocalist seems to have changed his screaming style; now it seems more like a growl(think of Atreyu). Still the best screaming i've ever heard.

If you've never heard Poison the Well before, don't be surprised by the fact that screaming is the normal vocal style. I bought their first cd a while back and I totally had the wrong impression of them. I thought they would sound a lot like Thursday, mostly melodic with a few really hardcore parts. I could not have been more wrong, because I think this band is heavier than Slipknot with just some melody added in to make it interesting. If you like Thrice, try this band.

If you have heard Poison the Well already, or have one of their cd's then think about it like this. The Opposite of December is thought to be their best album, because it's 28 minutes of heavy, memorable parts. Tear From the Red was a step in a new direction; it was more dynamic but people didn't like it as much because it sounded less inspired. You Come Before You incorporates both the dynamics and the inspiration and is just a great album (their longest yet, 43 minutes).

Just go buy it, you'll be impressed. Let's hope the new Thrice album is as good...

Poison the Well- whether or not you heard of them or listened them before, in my opinion they are simply awesome. Although most of the PTW fans keep moaning 'oh this is emo', 'oh this is softy metalcore crap'. IT ISN'T! Grow up people! great bands like PTW doesnt write or produce music to suit ur restricted music taste. if they did it would only be unoriginal, same old commercialised screamo and hardcore noise. this album clearly tells how styles of music change, feelings change, emotions change. 'you came before you' is more emotional, darker and powerful than their other albums branded 'screamo'. This is post hardcore stuff. read the lyrics of the songs, especially 'apathy is a cold body' which gave me chills!

i listen to mostly hardcore/heavy/metalcore/death metal. i dont think PTW by ANY CHANCE sounds emo. bands like atreyu, bullet for my valentine, etc are emo. when people just label or brand great music to something it totally isn't it insults true fans.

If you like metal, hardcore/post hardcore, screamo then definitely buy this album.

sure this disc isnt as good at tear from the red or opposite of december, but its good nonetheless. the "hardcore kids" dont like it cause theres no breakdowns and girl pants.. all the songs are pretty good. another thing is people dont like them cause theyre signed to a major label, in this case being atlantic..just because theyre signed theyre bad?? i dont get it at all. the music is good.. i suggest it..

It is so annoying, people always have a little pet cd and when it comes to thier little pet cd there is no better cd. I'm talking about Opposite of December. Everyone who claims to like Poison The Well it seems only likes OOD. OOD is a great record but it always gets in the way of all thier new stuff. PTW did not fall off like all of you say they did. They didn't change their sound, they really came into thier own though you wouldn't admit it. Oh OOD, it so great guys! Poison The Well fell off after OOD. STOP ALREADY! I am tired of people saying they fell off! As I've already stated, this cd is good and it is Poison The Well's best. I said it, it is better than Opposite of December (I spelled it out so there would be not doubt about what I'm saying). They developed thier sound and the production actually doesn't sound like crap this time. So what if they went on a major label? I'm not even going to bother with that, if you actually like music you really don't care about music labels, becuase that's all they are, labels. But no if your more concerned about scene points and looking cool your going to hate Poison the Well, becuase your scene and you don't like bands that are on major labels. Listen to this record, it doesn't suck and if you put your preconceived notions away for I dunno maybe an hour you'd think the same as I. I've spoken my piece get this and prove me wrong.

Awesome stuff this record! I've been looking for this CD my whole life! My advice, get really pissed, pop on this album, and go crazy!

During the heavy bits, I'm putting my fists through walls, During the singy bits, I feel invincible! It's great! Sometimes however this stuff really gets to me and I end up crawled up in a little ball emotionally berseck!

This is real emotional music! However not depressing in my opinion, which I think is real cool!

My Favorite Tracks are -

1)Ghostchant - Incredible in every way!
2)Loved Ones - Angry song! "It's always been over!"
3)For a Bandaged Iris - If not the best chorus I've ever heard!
6)The Realist - Intro is too cool for school! Great song!
7)Zombies Are Good For Your Health - Old school! But definately works, once worked in!
9)Apathy is a Cold Body - The best song!! hmmm... maybe!
11)Pleasant Bullet - This one is the first song I ever heard so we go way back!

The rest are awesome! However I wanted to list my preffered mix!

Tear From Red, also has some amazing songs on it. This is however the better album! Buy this! And maybe sample a few songs from Tear From Red. I recommend the Song "Sticks and Stones Never Made Sense" It should be on this album!

Alright. First i was a little hesitant to review a cd on here because most of the time the following reviewers critisize more what someone else wrote than the actual cd in question. Well this time i want that to happen. On to the album..
Poison the Well - You Come Before You, What can possibly come to mind when hearing that...Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Poison the Well have out done every album before this one and quite frankly they have out done themselves. The cd starts out with a kick to the face and just doesn't stop. Ghostchant, Crystal Lake, Sounds Like The End Of The World, are some of the best PTW songs i have heard and i heard them all. I own every album and i am a fan from their start, and this album is by far the best. This review is by no means meant to help a customer its to vent...
Basically people want to critizie PTW for going to a major label. Who business is that but their own? You think PTW has changed because their on a major label, well they haven't PTW is the same band they started as. If you don't like it don't listen to it! A band this good can't stay underground forever!!

Ok. Theres a lot of reviews that say this Album sucks. I agreed with them a couple months ago. Then I realized that a good album consists of more than just screaming. The more I listen to this album, the more I think it is the most godly musical creation in existence. So, when you read the bad reviews of this album, take into account that most of the people writing reviews here don't know what they're talking about, and are usually stupid death metal kids.

Pick this album up, Give it a few listens. You'll find how awesome it really is. If you listen to GlassJAw, think of it exactly like that. It takes a minute to hit you, but when it does, it nearly brings you to tears.

First off, I would just like to say that just because a band uses melody, doesn't make them "not hardcore"...To the typical hardcore kids: Shove your caribeaners up your ass and stop wearing your sister's clothes.

Now to the CD review:
I've been down with PTW since "Opposite Of December". I think, that this new material blows previous efforts out of the water, and PTW agrees; I;ve asked them. PTW is one of those bands that knows how to write a good song. "Opposite" when you think about it, is a straight-forward album with not a lot of diversity. "You Come Before You" is their most dynamic album to date. It makes me eager to hear what direction they're going to go next. Getting Eskil to work on this album pushed the limits of PTW to their furthest extremes. This album is heavier and more melodic than other albums. And to everyone who's smart when it comes to music: Not having an open D "Chugga Chugga" doesn't make you a sellout. The major label move helped PTW reach a broader audience. And as I've said before, SHOVE YOUR CARIBEANERS UP YOUR ASS YOU TIGHT-BLACK T-SHIRT WEARING DUMBASSES WHO THINK HARDCORE IS ABOUT BREAKDOWNS AND THAT'S ALL. Find something better than sh*t for brains.

Poison the Well is a great band. That was my opinion until this album- they will never be the great band that Opposite of December and Distance Only Makes the Heart Grow Fonder were promising them to be. In the same way that Tear From the Red was different from their debut, this takes it to an all new extreme. When I heard this new album, I got really disappointed. It is much softer, and it doesn't have the singer's traditional piercing scream. I would recommend a lot of albums over this one, like any From Autumn to Ashes or Hopesfall, but this album will just disappoint you.