Silence The Assembly
Reconstruction
metalcore
release date: November 19, 2013
1. Answers
2. Rebuilt (feat. Ryan Kirby of Fit For A King)
3. Counterfeit
4. Never Forgotten
5. Letting Go
6. Your Purpose
3.5/5
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Christian Deathcore's
Top 25 Albums of 2013
- All of the following rankings and reviews written by Dustin of Christian Deathcore-
25.
Extol - Extol
The long wait has been finished. The long, long
anticipated album is amazing and their best release next to Undeceived.
Throughout their careers, they evolved from a death metal with black metal influences to an old school progressive metal act. Now they combine the newer
elements of progressive metal with the later releases, including a tiny bit of
atmosphere of Undeceived, I believe. Extol is an incredibly talented band and
always will be. I am extremely curious to see what the future now holds for
this band.
24.
The Order Of Elijah - Dethrone
The Order Of Elijah is one of the best upcoming bands in the
Christian music scene. This album would be way higher on the list if it wasn’t
a re-release of ‘Accession’ with two new songs. Shannon uses superior vocal
speed in their new song ‘New Line Of Defense’ and keep the solid mixture of
deathcore and metalcore together. They are going to keep blowing up, definitely
with their next album that I am hoping will come out this year of 2014.
23.
Broken Flesh - War Bound
Broken Flesh has to be one of the heaviest bands in the
Christian music scene ever. They put secular anti-christian artists to shame
with how brutal and heavy they are. The death metal act goes hard from the very
beginning to the very end. Jacob’s vocals are some of the craziest vocals I
have ever heard. If Phil Bozeman (Whitechapel) and Brooke Reeves’ (Impending
Doom/older style) had a baby, it would be Jacob Mathes. This band is going to
go even farther with 2014 and the upcoming years.
22.
Mouth Of The South - Transparency
I’ve been a fan of Mouth Of The South since they
released their record ‘Manifestations’ in 2009. Since then, the sound they have
acquired has changed dramatically and for the better. Transparency keep the
same heavy and groovy sound, while Josiah’s vocals have become more defined and
unique to the band. It’s a great blend for a progressive hardcore. Bewared
readers, that this band is going to keep getting bigger and bigger. They are
the Sleeping Giant Jr.
21.
My Heart To Fear - Algorithm
I have also been a fan of My Heart To Fear since 2010 (four
years ago, WOW). I found them by searching the free downloads of the C28 store
and discovered their EP ‘A Ship Built To Sink’. Their sound become so much more
defined when they released their next full length in 2012, being followed by a
re-recorded EP of half the songs off that record after signing to Solid State.
Now, they have released ‘Algorithm’ under Solid State. The sound become even
more defined and have matured to a progressive metal act. Trevor has his best
act yet with the musicianship rising to high levels. I seriously can’t wait to
see what the future holds for them.
20.
The Devil Wears Prada - 8:18
The Devil Wears Prada has been shaky as of late. Many fans have
been screaming at TDWP in love and hate. I must get this off my chest, ‘Zombie
EP’ was their best release ever and always will be, but that doesn’t mean they
can’t still be good. ‘8:18’ picks up the heaviness from Dead Throne and goes even
harder. They do a much, much better job with clean vocal placement compared to
the last album, I will say that. Mike’s voice is more passionate then ever, but
it almost seems he’s been using it too much. Regardless, I love his style and
hope his career will not end soon. ‘8:18’ is a solid record. They just need to
find that perfect combination of ‘8:18’ and ‘With Roots Above And Branches
Below’ to rediscover the ‘Zombie EP’ emotion. Can’t wait to see what happens
after this.
19.
Those Who Fear - Unholy Anger
I am a huge Facedown Records fan and they did a good
job with picking up Those Who Fear. The heavy hardcore band comes with bone
crushing music and in your face lyrics.
They are coming hard and fast. Keep your eyes out for Those Who Fear,
they aren’t going anywhere.
18.
Polyenso - One Big Particular Loop
Here is surprise number 1 to a lot of people. Remember
Oceana and their fabulous records ‘The Tide’. ‘Birth.Eater’ (still an all time
favorite), and ‘Clean Head’? Polyenso is Oceana 2.0 containing all the members
of Oceana. One Big Particular Loop picks up after ‘Clean Head’ with a much more
experimental indie style with influences of jazz and blues. I just love Brennan’s
vocal usage in this album and the instrumental side of the album is amazing. I
want more, and more from this beautiful band.
17.
Norma Jean - Wrongdoers
Norma Jean is a fantastic band live, you must see them if you
haven’t received the chance. Wrongdoers is the perfect combination of ‘The Anti
Mother’ and ‘Meridional’ bring the elements together to receive both unique
sounds together for a new one.
My favorite song off the record is definitely ‘If You
Got It At Five, You Got It At Fifty’ which was also a wicked awesome music
video about drinking milk. Do yourself a favor (COMEBACK KID REFERENCE WAT),
and see these guys live.
16.
Benea Reach - Possession
I’ve been waiting so long for this record. After nearly five years after the release of ‘Alleviat’, ‘Possession’ hits amazing wonderful. They still have the unique sound from ‘Alleviat’, the signature vocal style of Ilkka Volume, and brand new elements of ambience and atmosphere. If you don’t know this progressive metal act, they contain members of the famous Extol and that should say enough.
15.
Soul Embraced - Mythos
Another long awaited release of five years! Soul Embraced used
to one of my favorite bands with the release of Dead Alive. The death metal
group brings their album much harder than before and as always, keep their
signature vocal style from Chad Moore. ‘Mythos’ will satisfy any old school
death metal lover and new metalers. Rottweiler Records did a great job picking
them up.
14.
Into The Flood - Vices
Into The Flood came out of NO WHERE. I didn’t know who they
were, where they hithered from, or anything. My friend Skyler of Christian
Metal Kingdom showed them to me and I didn’t really know what to say, but
‘what’. They are a band with a strong combination of metalcore and deathcore.
They will come out with dark growls and banging breakdowns to melodic singing
and grooves. I am so stoked to see what happens next with this band. Century
Media took a risk and it paid off.
13.
My Epic - Behold
Another highly anticipated album for me. I’ve been
waiting well over a year for this magnificent album. My Epic brings an ambient
and melodic post-rock sound with indie elements. If you want to sleep, calm
down, or just remember the Lord, play some ‘Behold’ and you will be in an
earthly heaven.
12.
August Burns Red - Rescue & Restore
August Burns Red does it again. ‘Rescue & Restore’ is
‘Leveler’ 2.0, but a much more defined and well put together. Every song is
solid and every musician in the band is only getting better. Many would believe
I’m crazy for not having them in my top ten, well I’ve become a little bored
with metalcore. August Burns Red are some of the best musicians in the music
today and will be for a long time. I enjoy them and always will. I’m excited
for the next step they take and hope to see them alive again.
11.
Everything In Slow Motion - Phoenix
Another anticipated album! Ever since Everything In
Slow Motion released their EP ‘Red’ on 7” vinyl, I’ve fallen in love. Phoenix
picks up after it with the pain, love, and suffering. The melodic and
progressive album is beautiful. The blend of hardcore and post-rock is
phenomenal. I plan to collect every single record (vinyl) they ever release
like I do with a handful of bands. I can’t wait to see them live someday. The
emotion will just over power, like this album. Get it now.
10.
Afterimage - Unveil The Unseen
Here I am coming into the top ten of the year. This was an
extremely hard process (the entire list was, so many solid records were
released) and probably really surprising to people. Afterimage is one of those
surprises. They are a melodic death metal band with metalcore influences. Heck,
you called just say melodic deathcore, but who cares right? It’s solid music.
Unveil The Unseen is the full length following their first EP in 2007. It
features two re-recorded song with a heck of a lot of sick songs. My all time
favorite from them, ‘Soulmender’ was one of the re-recordings. Another favorite
off that record was ‘Rift’. Rift and the album reminded me a lot of
Miserations’ ‘The Mirroring Shadow’. They are one of the few heavy bands that
uses clean vocals correctly as well. If you haven’t listened to this album, you
made one of the worst mistakes of 2013. Go check it out right now. It does not
disappoint.
9.
Solamors - Depravity’s Demise
Solamors was another group/album that came out quietly. They
are a three man studio project consisting of Jason Wisdom (Ex. Becoming The
Archetype), Alex Kenis (Ex. Becoming The Archetype & Aletheian), and Travis
Turner (Ex. Aletheian and Crutch) With this album, they bring an epic
experiment of metal with progression, melodicsy (Made that up), and brutality.
They bring back the name of metal with Depravity’s Demise. When I first heard
it, it gave me goosebumps hearing one of my favorite vocalists back in music
again. His usage and range of his vocals are brilliant. The music is above of
what I expected. If they were a band touring band, they would be receiving offers
left and right.
8.
Battleship! - Resurrection
A lot of people probably have not heard of these dudes.
Batttleship! is a deathcore band that has been way under the radar. I have been
waiting for ‘Resurrection’ for as long as I could remember their last ‘Wolves
Surround EP’ which was released in 2010. The EP was musically fantastic, but
the quality was unfortunately horrible. Soon they broke up, but came back
quietly to finish up the full length they never finished, which was finally
almost a year ago. ‘Resurrection’ gives everything a deathcore fan could ever
ask for. Great vocals, heaviness, brutality, some melodic parts, and so much
more. Addison Reid really used his vocal range that included growls, highs,
mids, yelling, everything. The lyrics were also a wonderful aspect of the
album. They are done from what I know of, but I can always hope they will do
more.
7.
The Burial - In The Taking Of Flesh
I’m proud to say that I’ve been a fan of The Burial since ‘Age
Of Deceit’. I randomly found them on their Purevolume account when it was still
a thing. I was super impressed after listening to the first song. The original
vocalist reminded me so much of Jason Wisdom (Solamors, Ex BTA). After that
release, they hopped around with a few different vocalists and the Winepress
was a bit of a let down being released under First Strike. Finally, they got
their game together. The last release ‘Lights And Perfections’ defined their
sound and their official vocalist. ‘In The Taking Of Flesh’ picks up after the
last album with a clear and more metal sound. The drumming is much more tighter
and great. The vocals hit home and the guitars/bass go nuts. This Progressive
Death Metal act isn’t stopping. 2014 will be huge.
6.
Dissimulator - Factions
Another small no namer. Dissimulator is a deathcore band that
came out of no where as well. ‘Factions’ originally was going to be a short EP,
but they extended it to a full length.
Every single song off the album hits hard and the album flows together
as one. It’s one of the most solid releases I’ve heard from a small band. They
are already working on their next full length, which I am EXTREMELY stoked for.
Expect that to be in my next top ten list for 2014.
5.
Leaders - Indomitable
I totally didn’t expect Leaders to come as hard as they did with
‘Indomitable’. The heavy hardcore group just reigns the show. When I listened
to their first single ‘Hell’, I was in awe. When the final breakdown came with
the errie piano came in, I wanted to go crazy.
Every song on ‘Indomitable’ goes hard and crazy, making you wish you
were in the pit. Expect amazing things from this band. They are one of
Facedown’s new premiere bands.
4.
Ark Of The Covenant - Self Harvest
Ark Of The Covenant was another huge anticipation of mine. Ever
since their single ‘Fakes’ came out, I was going nuts waiting for their album.
‘Self Harvest’ finally, finally came out this year and I was satisfied. They
come strong with this record and brought new elements to the table with the
debut full length. ‘Parasite’ was definitely my favorite song on the album
which featured amazing grooves, breakdowns, and vocal usage. My favorite part
in the song is at the end when low vocals run in. Just made me go crazy.
3.
Blood Of The Martyrs - Completionist
Blood Of The Martyrs is one of my favorite bands to see live. In
fact, I saw almost every set (total of four times in one week) at Cornerstone
and I just wanted more and more. I feel as if Blood Of The Martyrs new album
has gotten very little attention from the music scene. ‘Completionist’ in my
eyes is a perfectionist album. Blood Of The Martyrs keeps their signature
sounds throughout the album, while keeping it upbeat and heavy. Any metalcore
lover should immediately listen to this album from start to end. It should not
disappoint.
2.
Impending Doom - Death Will Reign
Impending Doom is on a lot of lists this year and they
have a good reason to be. ‘Death Will Reign’ is a fantastic album, indeed. When
they announced that Manny was back on guitar, I was expecting it to possibly be
a combination of ‘Nailed. Dead. Risen.’ and ‘Baptized In Filth’. What they
brought to the table was different and it excited me. The grooves they use are
heavy and moving. Brook’s vocals become more and more defined as he progresses
with the band. He uses a bit more range in this album and it sounds brutal. The
group as a core did a brilliant job. They will never, never disappoint me.
1.
Creations - Unworthy/Humility
Creations. Creations was the most anticipated album
for me. ‘The Gospel’ was a great album and filled with incredible words. Once I
heard the news that Thomas Hirst was joining the band as the vocalist, my jaw
totally dropped to the floor. Watching the video of them announcing it and
talking about the upcoming album made me even more excited. ‘Unworthy/Humility’
is one of my favorite albums ever right now. Every single song is heavy as
heaviness can get. The album features some amazing guest vocalists including
Brook Reeves (Impending Doom), Dead Atkinson (With Blood Comes Cleansing), and
former vocalist James Thorpe. The album contains pure heaviness (which I
already mentioned) and eerie leads. The drum work throughout the album
impressed me greatly. Thomas never disappointed either with his vocals. This is
an album and band that you must listen to at least a few times and see live.
They are amazing live.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Top Albums of 2013
15.
Altars
Something More
melodic hardcore/hardcore
This spot was a battle between Altars and Vices. Ultimately Altars wins this spot due to this albums versatility. It's extremely catchy for a hardcore record, and with that, is very "sing-a-long-ish". That may sound cheesy and "not hardcore". But Altars hits home with every element thrown in this record.
14.
Broken Flesh
Warbound
death metal
And here we have our first heavy band. And they certainly are heavy. Broken Flesh puts most secular bands to shame with their music style. They bring us every heavy genre element in one crushing record. It's fast, it's heavy, it's dark, it's barely understandable...everything you want it a fantastic brutal record.
13.
Confide
All Is Calm
post-hardcore
In-b4 "they... not... Christian... band" trolls. Confide has been supported by the Christian community since their birth being that all members are open Christians. I waited a long time for new music from these guys, and finally they put together their finest record. All Is Calm is very experimental, with mixers of metalcore, post-hardcore, electronic, and rock, all while still making classic Confide music. This truly is solid record from start to finish, and a heck of a record to finish their Confide careers on.
12.
The Burial
In The Taking Of Flesh
death metal
Yes, I understand that this record should possibly be higher. Right, I mean, it's, The Burial, and this record is insane. But, I am not a death metal man. I get lost in all it's glorious fast-ness (new word). I can only take so much shredding, ha. But, I recognize how talented this band is, and.... I also believe last year's Lights And Perfections was better.
11.
Extol
Extol
melodic death metal
The Christian metal scene's beloved Extol comes in at 11. This is a record that is high on everyone's list. And while it is in my top 15, it wont crack my top 10. Great record for a brand of music you don't see much today. Dark European vocals, melodic death metal instrumentation, and Jesus... Metal
10.
My Heart To Fear
Algorithm
metalcore
Here is my most un-biased pick. I thought their previous release was a bit overrated. This album really caught me by surprise, both musically and finding out it was released without much knowledge about it. MHTF really stepped their game up from when I last heard them, growing a lot with a more mature modern metalcore sound.
9.
The Ongoing Concept
Saloon
uuuummmm
If you can narrow down a genre for this band, then you are a genius. This record is literally filed with every aspect of music that involves a guitar and drums. These guys are extremely talented. The vocalist has a crazy screaming style that will leave him voiceless, and yet he has an amazing singing voice. And the music, well, it is everywhere. It's like ... experimental mathcore rock. Solid State has a rare gem here.
8.
Norma Jean
Wrongdoers
hardcore
Another band that left us a few years waiting for new music. Norma Jean releases a superb record with Wrongdoers. NJ is possibly my favorite hardcore group, and remembering them proclaiming Christ in front of thousands on Mayhem Festival a few years back will always place them on top in the respect category for me. With that said, this record took a big leap from their previous one, and Meridional was a solid record. They keep the same format with this record as well, adding more classic NJ to the mix and perfecting what they went for with Meridional.
7.
Into The Flood
Vices
death metal/deathcore
Into the Flood did not release much music before this album, so I did not really know what to expect from them. This album completely blew me away with how good it was. Brendan is a beast vocally, and the music hits hard. It's a mix of death metal heavy and deathcore heavy. Century Media has a huge spectrum of metal bands under its belt, so there is no doubt that Into the Flood is going to continue to grow bigger and stronger in years to come. This record is just the beginning.
6.
Impending Doom
Death.Will.Reign
deathcore
DOOMNation in full effect here. Being my favorite band, they had to make a showing at some point. So here they are. ID come extremely hard with DWR. They bring everything Doom is known for; heavy grooves, breakdowns for days, eerie guitar mixes, and heavy dark lyrics. They are taking the world by force right now, and rightfully so, being one of the heaviest bands you could possibly see live.
5.
Afterimage
Veil the Unseen
melodic deathcore/death metal
Perhaps the smallest band in this lineup, but they pack huge sound. Afterimage could possibly have my favorite song of the year with "Manifest the Impossible". Everything about that song is perfect. And near perfect is this album. Another band that is hard to nail genre wise. They are shreddy, heavy, melodic, have bits of synth of European melo death, as well as deathcore and metalcore elements. This is a masterful record. If they do not get picked up by a label from this release I have lost all hope in the professional industry.
4.
August Burns Red
Rescue & Restore
metalcore
It does not matter how long ABR has been around, they will always stay atop the metalcore world. With every release they add elements of growth. This album, to me, is like a Leveler part II. This album is fantastic. It's emotional, raw, heavy, and experimental. It is everything we have grown to love about ABR, so why is this number 4? Because I enjoyed Leveler so much more.
3.
Anberlin
Vital
rock
5000 albums in, Anberlin gives us Vital. A perfectly mixed experimental rock release. Just when Anberlin seemed to be slowing down with fantastic rock albums, they slap this in my face and remind me what made them so great. Stephen Christian remains one of the best vocalists out there, and musically they delve into some 80's pop rock, alternative, acoustic and electronic. I honestly would easily put this at number 1, but it fell just a little short. I do not know how, because this is just short of a masterpiece. Its Beautiful. Oh yeah.... and the first sentence in the Confide review applies to this band as well. Ha!
2.
Phinehas
The Last Word Is Yours To Speak
metalcore
As August Burns Red is reaching the beginning of the back half of their career, Phinehas quickly is becoming their predecessors. As fantastic as Thegodmachine was, this album takes all momentum from that album and puts a little more power in the tank. Swooping guitars all over the place, mixes of screams and manly clean vocals, and fantastic instrumentation all across the board. Phinehas has grown tremendously in the last year or two, and 2 full lengths in, they are showing us that it is still just the beginning.
1.
Colossus
Time & Eternal
metalcore
Didn't see this coming? Neither did I. But now I see clearly. I am able to look past the popular names and reputations and pick out the dirty diamonds. And Colossus's Time & Eternal is an unclean diamond that has yet to hit the fires and be seen by the world. They recently signed to Facedown Records, and I fully congratulate them. Not long after, they release this record. And at first listen, barely paying attention, you can miss it. But it left me intrigued. Second listen through, I no doubtingly decided this is one of the top releases of the year. And the more I listened, the closer to number one it got, until, here we are.
This record is perfect metalcore. There is nothing generic about it. It's as heavy as metalcore can get. It has its progressive parts, almost djent-like, and experimental parts as well. And the best part, after a full listen through, is that this band is only going to get better. This most likely is not anybody else's number one, but what this should be for you, is break out album of the year.
Honorable Mentions
Alive in Me - Through The Looking Glass, Ark of the Covenant - Self Harvest, Battleship! - Resurrection, Blood of the Martyrs - Completionist, A Body Divided - [D]elusion, Creations - Unworthy/Humility, Day of Vengeance - Crutchless, The Devil Wears Prada - 8:18, Everything In Slow Motion - Phoenix, Fit For A King - Creation/Destruction, Foreverlin - Long Lost, Great Counselor - Pioneers, Hope For The Dying - Aletheia, Leaders - Indomitable, Living Sacrifice - Ghost Thief, Love And Death - Between Here and Lost, Mouth of the South - Transparency, My Epic - Behold, Righteous Vendetta - The Fire Inside, Sinners To Saints - The Greatest of These, Soul Embraced - Mythos, Those Who Fear - Unholy Anger, Vices - Between My Ming and The World, With A Voice - The Witness in the Valley
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