Review Summary: It Dies Today comes back with a very catchy and melodic album...questionable, but still a very enjoyable listen.
If anyone has seen my review for this bands last album,
The Caitiff Choir...you would know that i have a rather soft spot for this band, no matter how generic or bland they can get. Like what the band description on the front page says...
"The group's music is a blend of brutal-riffs and punishing-breakdowns coupled with driving melodies", easily enough for me to check them out. and check them out i did, and i was first treated to their sophomore album, which i thought was really nice and pretty decent. So, is this album any different? are there improvements? has their ability to play "brutal-riffs and punishing breakdowns coupled with driving melodies" got better? or have they "sold-out"? Well, honestly, i wouldnt want to answer that question...simply because i have no idea myself.
The album opens with the melodic and somewhat catchy riff to
A Constant Reminder. This song is nothing different from what IDT has done before...thats...until we reach the chorus.
"Heres hoping this becomes the soundtrack to your misery, the hook that rips right through your chest...enjoy this constant reminder...". What are the lyrics talking about? Well, i dont have a clue. The tune/melody to this chorus is highly infectious and catchy, and may even seem to be made for heavy MTV play.
A port in any storm opens with your typical "brutal, but melodic riff". I gotta admit, as soon as the verse kicked in and Nick sang...I didn't really like it. He sounds abit whiny on the verses. But again, the chorus saves the song. Very melodic chorus found here as well, maybe abit KsE like. But i cant help but feel that the starting two songs of the album has a "poppy" vibe to it...and, you may be thinking..."where the hell are the breakdowns!?".
Well, breakdowns on this album, are mostly gone. I say mostly because you can still find a few here and there, but not as much as in
The Caitiff Choir i believe. Most noticeably on
Through leaves and over bridges and
Sacre Coeur...which features a rather heavy and "punishing" breakdown if you wanna call it that, at the end of the song.
One thing very noticable on this album that is different from the previous is that Nick has cut down on the hardcore screaming, and added in more...singing. Granted, songs like
The bacchanal affair,
Reignite the fires,
Black bile, white lies and the first single
Sacre Coeur still has screaming in most parts and you i cant help but feel that the screaming sounds different on this album. It sounds really forced. But one things for sure, he definitely sings alot more on this album. Nick doesnt sound really bad when he sings, but not really very outstanding either. But he does it for me.
The guitar riffs are almost the same as what they have done before. Melodic yet "brutal" riffs. Almost all songs on this album have this same formula of...verse (coupled with melodic, "brutal" riffs with screaming over it) - chorus (melodic singing) - verse - chorus - breakdown/bridge. The guitarists have some skill especially in the riffaging department. Yet again, solos are not abundant here, but can be found most notably on
Through leaves and over bridges. You'll be suprised, that solo is not only melodic, but is also that tad bit technical. The drumming is nothing very special, but it drives the band along. Double pedal is very favoured on most songs, along with some interesting beats here and there. The bass? well, lets just say i wouldnt want to talk about it.
Overall, a pretty listenable album from start to finish, but its sad that they added in more melodic and catchy singing, not because its bad, but because people are just going to call them "sell-outs". So, is this album any different? Definitely I'd say. Melodic riffs are still there, breakdowns scattered around the album. This may get some new fans, but at the same time lose some old fans. But heck, i like it. I wont make any recommendations because if you like 1 song on here, youre bound to like the rest. Oh, on another note, the band has shed their "emo-goth" like look. Good or bad? (Both album and image) You judge...
