Converge- You Fail Me
Epitaph Records
Nate Newton: Bass, Vocals
Ben Koller: Drums, Percussion
Jacob Bannon: Vocals, Lyrics, Visuals
Kurt Ballou: Guitar, Vocals, Bass, Keyboards, Percussion
Along with many other Converge fans, I wondered what would become of the band as their new album was set to be released by Epitaph Records, who does not have many hardcore realeases under their belt (There was that one DEP Ep they released). However I was not dissapointed one bit when I first heard this CD. It is by far one of Converge's best releases to date. Even though this album does not stack up to Jane Doe, It is still an amazing piece of work by the kings of metallic hardcore. The vocals are still the most most amazing part about this band, Bannon is an amazing vocalist and a lyricist on top of that. I've never seen any artist use imagery and metaphors as good as Jacob is able to do in all his writings and on this album. The other thing that still Amazes me about this album is the Drum work. Ben Koller has got to have some of the best endurance and intricacy of any drummer on the hardcore scene today.
1. First Light This song is merely an introduction to this epic CD. It is just a minute of a single guitar that builds up the next song.
2. Last Light A continuation of First Light this track continues to build the CD. This song is very unique for Converge as Bannon is not screaming like usual. I am still undecided if that is a good or a bad thing. However as the song continues to grow the vocals do get more harsh and the well known Converge style begins to take effect. 3.5/5
3. Black Cloud This is the most memorable and probably the best song on the album. Amazing work by all instruments and Bannon. The chorus consists of the whole band shouting in unison. Mid way through the song takes a change for the better and goes off into a very metallic Bridge, before coming back for a final chorus. I can just imagine this song life and imagine will probably be one of there best songs to see live. 5/5
4. Drop Out Another great song to add to this album. This song is everchanging and could almost be considered grindcore. Very reminiscent of DEP. The guitar work is amazing as it is organized chaos but extremely diverse. I have never heard the band so tight together as I have on this song. 4.5/5
5. Hope Street Another masterpiece. I just can't describe how great hit song is as well. The band is so tight as a band that it is amazing. Another diverse, yet heavy song that flys by in just over a minute. 4.5/5
6. Heartless Take a guess how this song is going to be? Great like all the other ones. I think this song is a little more melodic than the last 2 but still achieves an unprecidented amount of heavyness to it. It's this ability that Converge has to combine melody and brutality that makes them such a great band. 5/5
7. You Fail Me Ok, so the streak had to stop somewhere. Although this is a great song it just does not compare to the last 4. If they had put this song after last light it would be fine. It is to slow for my liking and seems to continuosly drag on for 5 long minutes. Still a pretty good song though. 4/5
8. In Her Shadow This song is very experimental I guess is what you would call it. 6 minutes of acoustic guitar that repeats itself over and over. It seems as though this is the chance for the listener to breath after the first half of the CD destroys the limits of what hardcore is. It keeps building up much like the first 2 songs on this album for the next song. 2.5/5
9. Eagles Become Vultures Greatest drum intro ever. The drum work and guitar riffs are catchy and brutal. This is another pure amzing track on this CD. I dont know what else to say about songs like these except it is pure amazment to see that a band can make music this great. 5/5
10. Death King Another one. Not as good as the other amazing songs but nonetheless just amazing. Great vocals on this track, some of the best screaming I've heard. 4/5
11. In Her Blood Pure brutality on this track. A nice way for the band to begin the end of the CD. Great change of tempos and melody on this one 4/5
12. Hanging Moon A good track, but lacking the brutality the others seemed to have. Great drum work, but the vocals seem to childish and not as piercing as they should have been. 3.5/5
This album is a must buy for any extreme music lover. Whether it be hardcore, metal, or punk, this album does a great deal of justice to all of them. The band has never been tighter with there sound. Although not their best album (Jane Does), this is still one of the best hardcore releases of the year and most likely will be viewed to be as epic as Jane Doe is.
4.25/5
I'd probably buy Petitioning The Empty Sky next or wait for The Blood Brothers' Crimes to come out.. But from the other songs I listened from this, it's still a solid album.
