Review Summary: Like a moth to a flame; same old, same old, nothing new.
In terms of composition, Like Moths to Flames are a solid enough metalcore group. The only problem is each track milks the same formula over and over again. Angry lyrics, building up to a breakdown, lead vocalist Chris Roetter says "blehh", and the process repeats itself. This has been the blueprint for not only their first two full-length Rise Record outings, but as well as their third and latest release, The Dying Things We Live For.
It's not that any of the songs are bad, or even boring. The songs are just fine. I'm just disappointed that we're not seeing anything new from this group. Albeit, there is a saying "if it isn't broke, don't fix it." But at the same time, it'd be nice to see a few tracks come out of left field and encompass an element of surprise or excitement. Opening tracks "No King" and "Thrown to the Wind" do have some catchy choruses, but catchy choruses are a staple of metalcore. In this band's defense, it might work to their advantage to scream verses and sing choruses, and they craft this back and forth cycle rather well. The only problem is that while this group knows what record they want to make, the repetition feels so superfluous, it flirts with riding on the horns of filler, as if some tracks are there just for the sake of being so.
"Fighting Fire with Fire" will show the listener that Roetter can command the bulk of the lyrics that are put in front of him. He's a solid vocalist. "The Give and Take" incorporates a few more catchy riffs that are absent from other tracks, though it is through and through with reminding the listener that he or she is in the midst of blinded by fury metalcore that is certain to leave the listener with the urge to punch a wall. "Wasted Days" is a decent enough track. Just a few sloppy riffs throw in there for what I'm sure is good measure.
"History Repeats" is titled so amusingly, at least from my perspective. Don't those two words summarize not only this album, but this group's whole catalog of work? Again, their aforementioned talent that they admittedly have as musicians is not a question; the only question is that there isn't anything new, nor is there a want for things to change. If the group is looking for a few more million hits on YouTube, and a couple more Warped Tour stints, they're certain to attain that.
Far and away, Like Moths to Flames are a solid act. Fans of the genre will be fans of this group, drawn like a moth to a flame. Though, the listener(s) will soon find Like Moths to Flames present a body of work that is analogous to the moth-to-flame sentiment; after a while, you just know what to expect, and once you become accustomed to it, you slowly lose the urge to pursue it further, per fear that you will be disappointed...again.
