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This is an album that will pave the way for heavier radio rock and possibly get heavier metal bands like Trivium onto the radio. While I would much rather prefer this be on radios everywhere over the modern pop we get, this album does a have it's share of flaws. One being some repetition (as in a few songs sound the same), lyrics ( a big drawback), and just too many tracks on the album. 13 is quite a number for a standard album. The vocalist is very good, very distinct, the guitars are much better than I ever would've expected from a more mainstream rock/metal band, and the bass and drums are pure gold!
The music:
1. Dying Breed- This song stomps on your eardrums to kick this album off! Ivan's growls are very distinct! I can tell it's him and his clean vocals are great! This song is a headbang fest! This is the kind of thing you could wake up the Army with! The drumming is extremely good on this, the bass is not only audible, but it drives the music!!! And the guitar solo is extremely well done! The soloist is competent enough to not just shred, but to make a story out of his solo! Great work on the musicians' part! EXCELLENT SONG!!! I LOVE IT!!!!
2. Hard to See- This is the song I would expect to hear on the radio out of all the songs on this album! It sounds like the modern hard rock style, but more metal! There is double bass in the chorus and riffing between chorus and verse. The verses sound more like a groove/80's heavy metal song, but the chorus sounds like a slower, melodic metal anthem. This song is another standout track! I really like the intensity it has even though it is more reserved! The guitar solo and instrumental sections are freakin' amazing! It's the kind of stuff I'd expect from a more complex band, but delivered in a similar style to Breaking Benjamin meets In Flames! EXCELLENT SONG!!!
3. Bulletproof- This one is intense and has a thrash/groove feel to it! Then the chorus is one of the most melodic of the album! I love this chorus! And the riff too! Heck just the song! Ivan's voice is great here, the guitars are very in-your-face and the drumming is intense and aggressive! The bass isn't as present as it was on Dying Breed, but it's still produced and mixed very well! The solo on this song is good, but it doesn't come anywhere close to the previous two solos. The drum work on here though just makes me so happy! If this song was on the radio, my day would be made! This is the perfect balance of heavy and melody to be put on the radio! Another amazing track!
4. No One Gets Left Behind- This one sees things heavy and reserved at the same time. It's not as reserved as Hard to See, but it's not as heavy as the other 2 previous tracks. The riffs on this one are more alternative/thrash/groove metal and the chorus is more of a radio rock band. The style comes off very well-done and it's still heavy enough to warrant some head banging actions! The drumming is great again and the guitar work is more atmospheric this time around. The middle section has just riffing without a solo. I feel that there could've been something bigger there, but the song is fine without anything. Good song!
5. Crossing Over- I feel that this song is ok, but not ok enough to be on the album. As others have said, it sounds like Hard to See in the chorus. It is a more brooding ballad in the verses, but the chorus just kind of takes away from the song's potential since it's akin to a track we just heard 7 minutes ago. Ok song, not really good nor bad, just there.
6. Burn it Down- The opening riff sounds brutal and epic, but I feel that this song is just a bit too much testosterone. It's got the heaviness I want, but this is one where the lyrics get in my way. Just too much unnecessary cursing and just no real lyrical value. Not that the other songs have lyrical value, but this one just really disappoints me. The guitars are good in this one too. Pity.
7. Far from Home- This one is a real ballad. This song is beautiful and holds some real lyrical value. Ivan's voice is very strong and emotional on this song! He really sounds good here. As it is a ballad, the band kind of takes the back seat for this one, but it's still a good musical backdrop for his voice. The guitar solo sounds like a Hair Metal solo, but in this case, that's a very huge plus! It just fits so well! Awesome song!!!
8. Falling in Hate- This song was just very unnecessary. The lyrics, while somewhat humorous are just horrendous and the music is ok. Not the best song on the record. I feel that it's filler. I just really didn't find this track to be a relevant song. It's just dumb.
9. My Own Hell- The opening guitar part is heavy and then it opens up into an atmospheric melodic rock song. The verse is definitely something that could make the airwaves heavier. The chorus is very melodic and laid back and shows Ivan's melodic senses again! The verses are thrashy and groove along with a good amount of bass and double bass drumming. The guitar work is more melodic through the chorus and more thrashy in the verses and bridge. The song lacks a guitar solo, which I feel it could've used, but this is a very good song without one. This is one that I can sing along with. The ending guitar part is amazing! It sounds kind of like a Dream Theater guitar tone/part and it just makes me happy!!! Good song!
10. Walk Away- This is a ballad/rocker song that shows a more alternative metal sound than the other tracks. This song reminds me of Breaking Benjamin vocally. His vocals just have that tone in the verse. The chorus isn't pulled off as well as other songs, but I do still find this song enjoyable. It's something I can sing along with. The guitar solo on this song is impressive. It's not much, but the tone of the guitar and the way the solo is played just reminds me of Neal Schon of Journey (one of my favorite guitar players) just in a heavier setting than he is usually in. I like this song!
11. Canto 34- This song is phenomenal! Like really, for a radio/alternative metal band, this is freakin' amazing! Not only can they deliver great songs, but this band has an instrumental that's longer than their songs on the album that rocks just as hard as their vocal songs! I love this! It's something I could work out or walk to! It's melodic, full of solos and full of attitude. The drums could've been done heavier in some places, but besides that, this is just freakin' awesome! This band has the potential to make music complex like Dream Theater and Trivium if they want to! This instrumental proves that. AWESOME SONG!!!!
12. Bad Company- This is a cover of Bad Company by a band of the same name. I've never heard the original, but while this song is good, I don't feel that this should've been on the standard edition because the song just doesn't do much for me. Now, that being said, I can see why it was put on the album because it gained the band a boat load of acclaim and recognition. It's good for that, but for me, I personally don't care much for the track.
13. War is the Answer- Just no...The opening riff sounds absolutely amazing and the jam that happens after that is also amazing, but this song is absolutely lame in the lyrical department. Like really this song could've been another instrumental and I would've loved it. The lyrics, however suck. I'm a fan of metal with intellectual and intelligent lyrics, so in that respect, this band is already lucky that I checked them out and like some of their stuff, but this song is just stupid. Musically, I have no problem with it. Ivan put way too much testosterone in the lyrics with all the f bombs and unnecessary swearing. Stupid song. Absolutely stupid.
Verdict- This album has its fair share of amazing tracks that will impress and it's fair share of wasted minutes. The good songs will be things I crank up when I just want some heavy stuff to blast and the bad songs will never willingly reach my ears again. All in all, this is good radio metal, but because it is made for radio, it has some drawbacks. I think it is a good purchase for fans of Avenged Sevenfold, Slipknot, and Disturbed. However, if you like Trivium, Dream Theater, Evergrey, or other bands of that nature, you will be more than happy with the riffage, but the lyrics might not deliver.
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