Metal Reviews

Actually I enjoyed that track, yo.

But album of the year? Nosiree, Bob.

Of course that's only because they are popular.

This album does nothing for me. Too bad the mighty Trivium have fallen - I enjoyed Ascendancy immensely, and because of the screaming vocals. You'd have to be deaf not to call that album brutal at times. Now they're just trying to be Metallica, as you smartasses've already so eloquently put it, and they fail.

"Becoming The Dragon" is a kickass song. The instrumental is pretty cool. But two out of thirteen does not cut it.

This one blows Ascendancy away!

Shadows Fall often suffers the same thing Trivium suffered on previous albums: bad vocals. Screaming fits true metalcore bands, with the heavy, downtuned sound, the quasi-metal riffage and those hardcore breakdowns and grooves. Shadows Falls and Trivium have never played that sort of metalcore, but the vocal screams have placed them both in the category. It's good to see Trivium shed that skin, and Shadows Fall has all but done the same thing over time. Both bands are better that way! Far better.

Well, that's your opinion, and I don't share it. But whatever. Regardless of what category Trivium falls/fell in, there is no denying they were - ahem - more aggressive on their first two albums than on this one. And that was kind of what drew me to them; the combination of big fuck-off riffage and screaming vocals. Now they're just ok instrumentally. However, "Becoming The Dragon" is an exception, and I wish they hade made more songs like that.

If you're implying that the music has changed you're out of your mind! The vocals have you fooled, my friend. Musically nothing has changed. Nothing at all. Sure, this album comes off less aggressive becuase the screams are all but gone. But musically nothing has changed.

Well then, maybe I'll just have to listen harder ... Maybe it'll grow on me.

You don't have to like it, dude. Haha. Vocals can drastically change a band, or, rather, the perception of the band. I mean, if you put a death metal dude on a thrash song what will it be labeled? Death metal, of course. It doesn't mean the music is death metal.

I'm gonna say something that I guarantee no one else will say:

I preferred their previous sound.

And before you say "OMG you LIKE matt heafy's screaming?" or "But trivium is metalcore and that means they are teh suck" I'll answer yes, and no it doesn't.

I don't think they sucked. I just didn't prefer his screaming. Ascendancy is surely better than Embers To Inferno, however. I just prefer this new album and its vocal style.

I think I can confidently let loose a resounding "meh". Not too bad, but not too good either.

this album comes out on my birthday o.o

Ok, so its official now, the album is gay.

Yeah of course. Big for you too, buddy.

It isn't being a hater, it just isn't like that song. Dude, that is what you never get. I don't hate this band, I hope they make a ton of money (and they will) but I don't like the music the play and the singer isn't horrible but he has the offspring/green day voice and it doesn't fit Metal. The song is metal though, you can't deny that, just not very good Metal

If i listened to this and it was a brand new band, and there was NO bias whatsoever, id give this song a solid 75-80.

Not bad, but its gonna be proclaimed as the album of the year, and the album that saved metal, blah blah

This album caught me a bit by surprise. I liked it a lot more than I thought I was. The good thing is that these guys have taken a HUGE step in the right direction. I really enjoy the first few and last few songs, and the songs in the middle I can tolerate but don't do anything for me. The songs sound like they were written by a capable band that might be able to offer something unique in the future, as opposed to their previous two albums which suffered from a severe dose of painful mediocrity.

I think the vocalist needs to put down the guitar and concentrate on making his voice the best it can be. They really need to lose that oh so fucking familiar production that practically every band of this ilk tend to have. Other than that and some more years under their belt, I feel they've got big potential.

Shut the fuck up, leee. I wasn't talking to you, was I?

october 10th - the official birth date of gay things? :(

I've heard the whole album now... it's OK... I think it would make a really good first metal album for people to hear. I don't really like Matt Hetfield's "gruff" vocals though, he should stick to his lullaby singing and screaming. It was intersting to hear some more intricate, less headbangy riffs on the album though, reminded me a bit of Into Eternity that way.

No but it is always what you do. You ask people their opinions then you scream at them for being "haters" if they give you an honest opinion of what they thought or call them elitest. If you don't want me to respond to what you write don't put it in a public forum and then act like a baby over it. Send the dude a private message. Otherwise you are open for comments. So hey, how about you shut up?

You gave an honest opinion, leee. But someone saying this band has no talent is an opinion grounded in fantasy, not reality.

Now would you quit whining over my opinion of you, and stop pretending like I call anyone else here a whiner and an elitist. I only call you that. Those two words are reserved for you, leee.