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Full Review | User Ratings (16) |
| Summary: Excellent metalcore from new kids on the block This or the Apocalypse. Could these guys be the saviors of the next generation of metalcore? Monuments gives a damn good impression that they just might be. |
1 of 1 thought this review was well written
Let me preface this review by saying that I am one of the group that feel that metalcore as a whole has fallen into a monotonous ditch of non-progress over the last couple of years. I have yet to listen to or review a generally awesome album, but am at the present time, reviewing one that is pretty damn close. Here we have, Monuments, the debut album by metalcore young guns This or The Apocalypse. A sort of Norma Jean/All That Remains/August Burns Red fusion, the band plays a deliberate, aggressive form of metalcore, that carries a passionate political statement as well.
Again, my expectations for this one were average at best, so when the ferocity of the opening track, No Horizons, hit me, the very conviction and anger displayed had me hooked. The band is pretty much solid all around, and obviously has the potential to be great, mixing anguished vocals with wailing guitars and laying it all over some heavy drumming.
As far as the musical structure goes, TOTA merges elements of metalcore with some of mathcore, sometimes playing a technical kind of music, other times staying true to their genre. The guitars are all over the place, creating a scene of chaos, while the drums are consistently heavy, with rolling double bass throughout. (The bass, as with most metalcore is inaudible, but I'm sure its great) However, what really sets this band's instrumentation aside is thee exceptional guitar work of lead guitarist Jack Ebenshade. Although capable of playing the usual riffs, he sets himself apart from the rest of the pack by his angelic guitar harmonies that sort of exist in stark contrast to the rest of the music, which comes across as brutal and heavy. A great example of this would be on Monuments, the epic Elegiac, or Architeuthis which seems to be the prime example of the sound this band is trying to create. Jack is capable of just straight shredding as well (see Mauna Kea) The band also makes a venture into prog territory with Memento Mori, which has to be one of the coolest songs I've heard in a while, mixing soft acoustic guitars with a wailing guitar lead and an anguished scream, an example of this band's insane potential.
One much maligned facet of modern metalcore is the extensive use of breakdowns, which as many angry listeners know, sound the same after 3 or four songs. TOTA obviously took extra care to avoid this, making minimal use of breakdowns, and making sure the few used were creative and fresh, mixing with insane guitar leads or group vocals. The music stays fresh almost the entire CD and never leaves you with that ear splitting feeling of repetition found in many metalcore albums nowadays.
Vocally, TOTA does a great job of establishing their own sound by just singing. Vocalist Rick Armenillo does hot have the greatest vocal range, but he makes the best possible use of what he has. Picture early era Cory Brandan, mixed with Phil Labonte, his voice is a perfect balance of anguish and brutality. His lyrics, which I had a hard time coming across, carry a deep political message centering around our country's present troubles, and his voice, at least to me, carries that ideal sense of philosophical urgency.
Bottom Line: An excellent metalcore album from what appears to be a band with insane musical potential, great instrumental talent, a deep vocal message and kick *** album art. No matter how much you love/hate metalcore, I strongly suggest picking this up. The only negative I could find here is that the songs sometimes went on a bit too long for my personal liking.
The Clear Best
Architeuthis
Monuments
Two Wars
On the Bubble
Elegiac
The Polymath
Giest
Mauna Kea
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| Recent reviews by this author | | |
Album Rating: 4
comments and criticisms are welcome, as always
Digging: Unearth - The March | | | Album Rating: 3
good review. ill be checking this out
Digging: Robin Trower - Bridge of Sighs | | | Album Rating: 4
its def worth a listen IMO its not like divine but its a step above anything thats come out this year in metalcore
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wrong.
Misery Signals- Controller is the best this year.
Digging: Main Source - Breaking Atoms
| | | Album Rating: 3
i dont know about that, the new Century and Misery Signals albums are the best so far. but ill see after i give this a listen
| | | Album Rating: 4
Oh, my bad i striaght up forgot about Misery signals didnt hear century though
| | | Album Rating: 3
Century is really good
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Quote:
wrong.
Misery Signals- Controller is the best this year.
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This.
Digging: Orphaned Land - Mabool (The Story of the Three Sons...)
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i listened to their myspace a few months back, they reminded me of August Burns Red, but lots of the songs were samey, average stuff if i remember properly.
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good review, ill see how this is at some point
Digging: Suffocation - Souls to Deny
| | | Album Rating: 4
see all you people are saying good review but i want some pos's and negs and feedback on what i can change
| | | Album Rating: 3
im a math major so i dont know how to read or write good
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you worry too much about pos's and neg's.
| | | Album Rating: 4
i know its an ocd
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Well, I can neg you, if that's what you REALLY want.
Digging: United Nations - United Nations
| | | Album Rating: 4
i only want it if you can justify it and tell me what is wrong
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OH, you mean there has to be effort involved? Psssh, nevermind.
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your review is good, i cant think of anything off the top of my head that you could improve on. Maybe just go into a little more detail about the album sound. But you did a fine job sir.
I listened to one song from these guys and i was not impressed so i dont think i will be listening to the rest of the album
| | | Album Rating: 4
awwww...tis a damn shame
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Yeah I have to check these guys out. Missed them at the ABR show but talked to their guitarist and my friend bummed him a cigarette. Seemed like cool enough dudes.
Digging: Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
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