Review Summary: [See update]
Okay, let me put this straight, when I first heard this album I hadn't heard Kezia, I am indeed a Protest the Hero 'noob'. I've always enjoyed more 'complicated' music and this is no different, I enjoyed this album, quite a damn lot, but I often question myself WHY. Because let's be fair, it's not exactly biggest breakthrough in history, it's just how I imagine The Dillinger Escape Plan to sound if they chilled the *** down.
And not often do I do this, but let me compliment the album art, it's pretty friggin' cool and detailed. Okay I admit it, I must obviously have some hidden fetish for moose-women with giant bushes behind their heads, but y'know, it still looks cool, even if I feel it has nothing to do with the friggin' album.
Okay, less of this rambling crap aside for now, time for the actual album:
Bloodmeat/The Dissentience - Okay, when I first heard the opening of Bloodmeat, I just crapped myself in fear as to what could be just a collection of 'Dillinger Escape Plan Ear Destroying moments'. But when the main riff appeared between and after these moments, I just jumped up in joy, as this is what this album should be. Which it is. Immediately you can tell the music draws influences heavily from Hardcore Punk, Mathcore and even some modern metal in terms of guitar-wankery. The fast pace often propels the song into little segments of quietness or solo-age. One thing I felt was the bass was a bit too turned down, as it means we don't get to hear Arif's awesome bass-sweep-tapping (not too sure about the sweep bit, but I think it is).
The Dissentience I felt was a bit of a space-filler on the album, as to me, it doesn't seem to stick out much other than in the chorus, it just seems to bring many of the characteristics of Bloodmeat along but a at a bit of a slower pace, but is more of a Bloodmeat-lite. Another thing is, how interesting the lyrics are, since they just seem to be about smoking weed, so if you're a person into weird or slightly cryptic lyrics, then check out the lyrics to this song and let me know what you think. The last minute a bit of the song is an interesting way to end, Quiet (yet awesome bit) -> New Riff -> Main Riff -> End.
Bone Marrow - This song stands out to me on this album so well, probably my favourite track off of it, it packs a punch in pace, varying often but somewhat perfectly too. The vocals on this track I feel are very strong, as well as the lyrics which seem to focus on some powerful King. Rody really kicks into overdrive for this song and puts so much effort in the vocals; it really does steal the show from the guitars. Also it has a piano outro somewhat like some Kezia songs do (not sure how many Kezia songs, just started listening to it). This song I very, very strongly recommend, and rather than even try to tell you why it's so good, just listen to it. =P
Sequoia Throne - For me, this follows a formula, I personally don't find this an exciting or unique song whatsoever, probably a low point of the album. But feel free to tell me what you think of it.
Palms Read/Limb from Limb - Undoubtedly, the guitars have 'returned' back to full form, with the opening feeling a lot like a metal album almost even in the style of Steve Vai (not that I’m directly comparing, hence SIMILAR), before resorting back to some mindless palm muting for the verse, but with some decent vocals, so it's alright. The chorus feels like an explosion in terms of guitar mastery. Somewhere about half-way through the track I was reminded of Megadeth's 'Take No Prisoners' when all the music stops for a moment apart from the bass, which is jamming something mental or weird out.
Towards the end of Palms Read, a little instrumental section appears which latches onto Limb from limb, probably another one of my favourites of the album. Yet again, it seems to have awesome vocals, with Rody's range and styles varying quite rapidly, although unlike Bone Marrow, the vocals don't overshadow the guitar-work, as both are perfectly on par here. Although I do feel the lower 'death metal vocals' are a bit unnecessary, but then again, they're the ones making money in music here, not me. Sweeping and tapping is as common here as a simple housefly, but this song poses something unique, a keyboard solo from Vadim from Dragonforce, which is a nice touch (also a bit pointless, in my opinion, but it's alright).
Spoils/Wretch - Spoils kicks off with a fast powerful pace after the opening guitar piece is over, which I thought were slightly destroyed by the these guitar pieces which seemed to slow it down. The breakdown, which begins at a part which I could almost consider a guitar solo is a nice slow way to finish the song, before resting calmly on another piano outro, brilliant work here.
Wretch feels like another filler to be honest, but is not all too bad, with vocals ranging even higher than before at points, but the song feels a little too in pieces, as unlike some of the other songs on here where loads of different pieces fit together well, I think these 'pieces' feel a little more different than other tracks.
Goddess Bound/Goddess Gagged - Lyrically, I'm not sure if they have a connection or anything (or any form of connection) as they feel like completely separate songs, could just be the titles, but yet again, this feels only like a warm up for Goddess Gagged. Goddess Gagged, you can feel will be different simply from the powerful instrumental opening, which feels slightly happy and almost a somewhat 'jingle', but then it goes into something is beginning to feel a little old, before breaking into something a little more new half-way through, before going back to the same thing, with only the last 20 seconds breaking into something that I felt the last minute should have been. It's like they tried to shove in that last minute into the last twenty seconds, a bit disappointing for an ending.
Good:
- Guitar work is top notch (including bass).
- Vocals may appeal to those who don't like bands like Dillinger Escape Plan.
- A good opportunity to try something new and bring yourself into more 'technical' music.
Bad:
- Gets really repetative towards the end.
- May be a bit too heavy for some.
- Turn that bass up, damn it!
I have to admit, I couldn't quite decide whether to give it a 3.5 or a 4, but in my opinion, you should check it out, even if I gave it a 3.5.
UPDATE: I admit I should have put some more thought into this review, but I was trying to write to pass some time at college... I apologise and won't make the same mistake of rushing another review.
