The American Dream

Walls of Jericho

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 29, 2008)
• Original Release Date: July 29, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Trustkill Records
• ASIN: B001AZ8BLE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #95,090 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The American Dream is the fourth studio album by Metalcore band Walls of Jericho. It is a return to the band's Metalcore sound after their previous acoustic EP release, and is also significantly more heavy than previous studio albums. Walls of Jericho are a Christian Metalcore band formed in 1998 from Detroit, Michigan. They want to relay the message of God to the American Metal Culture that is sometimes dominated by secular beliefs. Their first release was an EP entitled A Day and a Thousand Years (EP) (1999). Soon after the band were picked up by Trustkill Records and went on to release their first full length LP The Bound Feed the Gagged (1999) followed by All Hail the Dead (2004) and With Devils Amongst Us All (2006).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Candace and company are back with an aggressive onslaught., July 30, 2008

By	Bman3rd (United States) - See all my reviews

Walls of Jericho's latest album The American Dream delivers the aggression and riffs that was missing on their last EP.

I've been a big fan of Walls of Jericho since 2005 and I even got to see them in concert at ozzfest and I got their autographs and I hope to see them in concert again. I have loved every EP and album they have put out and I knew that I was going to like their latest album "The American Dream" before I even heard it as the band always puts out high quality music. Let me tell you this one doesn't disappoint at all and it's of the same high quality riff pounding in your face music that you've come to expect from Walls of Jericho.

It also seemed to me that for their first 4 CDs that Candace seemed angry at the world and it showed in their music and lyrics.

Then along comes "With Devils Amongst Us All" which had all the heaviness that you'd expect from Walls of Jericho but with a Candace that isn't so angry at the world any more.

Then along came "Redemption" which shocked people for it being so different from your typical Walls of Jericho CD.

Most people know and love Walls of Jericho for the fact that they are a 5-piece hardcore band that is fronted by Candace Kucsulain who has the vocals to rival many other females in the screamo/hardcore scene and also some of the men in the scene. Walls of Jericho are now back with a brand new album.

A lot of fans had mixed emotions about their last EP Redemption saying that the band has gone soft and whimped out and would never be the same again. Enter their latest effort "The American Dream" which is a return to the aggressive heaviness of their pre-Redemption days.

You get a fairly a good shock to the senses when you see what the singer for Walls of Jericho looks like. Of course, many of you are probably well aware that the vocalist behind the premier metalcore quintet is the lovely Candace Kucsulain. The vocalist proved she is a capable singer in the traditional sense on the band's acoustic EP Redemption, but with "The American Dream" she proves that she can still growl and roar with the best of them.

The album does have a more aggressive feel than Walls of Jericho's past releases, and the band delivers surprises in terms of the musical arrangements most of the time. As is usually the case, Candace has an effective delivery, which is enhanced by a relentless rhythm section. The American Dream starts out with the eerie intro "The New Ministry," a track that is just shy of 3 minutes. For the first half it's all about creating atmosphere, and the band wisely builds layer upon layer of instrumentation (while the tempo builds as well). It's an incredible opener, and it definitely gets your attention when Candace throws out a dictator-like speech, complete with the roar of an eager crowd.

For the most part you'll need to check the liner notes or your favorite online reference to know just what Candace is singing about on The American Dream. The cool thing about Walls Of Jericho's lyrics is that that they tend to be in a free verse style. So basically they aren't tied to any rhyme scheme and just throw out whatever passionate line they feel like singing. Passion is indeed the key to most of the songs, and it definitely sets a mood. There's no shortage of interesting lyrics, which should count for something, even if you can't understand it all.

Just when you think you can't handle the aggressive onslaught anymore in comes the song "The Slaughter Begins" which is an slow acoustic type track in the same vein the Redemption was and I feel is a perfect way to close the album as it gives you a chance to catch your breath.

While it's still hard to grasp how Candace is able to make some of the growls/roars that she does, by the end of The American Dream it is the band as a whole that makes an impression.

2.0 out of 5 stars Eh...., December 8, 2008

By	Doug Cougar (Southaven, MS USA) - See all my reviews

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This album isn't thrilling at all. It probably has two or three moments tops. The band is made up of amazing musicians that, sadly, can't seem to find direction. They can't just can't let go of the boring generic "break downs". I think they're past that, but I'm not in the band so whatever. Still one of the only "metalcore" bands worth listening to though.

5.0 out of 5 stars This album DESTROYS!!!, October 10, 2008

By	Adam Medansky "Adam Medansky" (Carol Stream, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the best metal album of 2008. I got into walls of Jericho about 2 yrs. ago when I saw them live. They are one of the top 3 live bands I have ever seen giving their absolute all in every song, every performance. The American Dream as an album is flawless. With thrashy riffs and a deeper darker vocal set from Candice then previous albums. All 12 songs are unbelievable. If you want to put on an album from start to finish that makes you want to kill somebody... then this is for you!!!
WOJ Rocks.

By the way -- in the synopsis it is stated that Walls of Jericho is a Christian Band - - maybe the reviewer should try listening to the music instead of just making the judgement that they are Christian because of the title of the band. They are NOT a Christian Band!!
PEACE
Adam M.