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Meeze
08/11/09, 09:28 PM
The Word Alive - Empire EP
Record Label: Fearless Records
Release Date: July 21, 2009

Who?

Craig Mabbitt's (Escape the Fate) former side-project and one of Fearless Records' newest signies hailing from Phoenix, Arizona. The Word Alive, Tyler Smith (lead vocal), Zack Hansen (back-up vocals and rhythm guitar), Tony Pizzuti (lead guitar and backup vocals), Nick Urlacher (bass), Dusty Riach (keyboards, piano, programming, and synths), and Tony Aguilera (drums and percussion), are a post-hardcore band sure to please any headbanger looking for a good breakdown. Combining piercing vocals and bellowing growls, The Word Alive pound away at a tried-and-true formula, bringing the listener uncomfortably close to the trials and tribulations of life.

How is it?

Pretty damn brutal. The 6-song, debut EP is a relentless journey, never letting the listener take a break from their inevitable head-banging session. Using sick breakdowns and slick synth beats, coupled with the dichotomy of the two vocalist, The Word Alive creates a debut worth noting. From the opening track, "Battle Royal," the brutality is etched in stone. If you are looking for a breather, you are not going to find one here. Track after track, The Word Alive cease to let up. The last track, "How To Build An Empire" is easily the best of the EP, with its crushing breakdowns, 80s-esq guitar solo, and honest lyrics ("These words that you're saying / They fall from your lips and I'm not even listening / We've wasted so much time / Pretending that you cared"). The EP is not without its faults: the lyrical content is repetitive (count how many times The Word Alive reference "breathing"), the production value is just average, and well, we have heard the same songs from The Devil Wears Prada. However, in the end, this is a very solid debut. The Word Alive have definitely placed themselves on a "Must Keep An Eye On" list.

post-hardcore; The Devil Wears Prada; A Skylit Drive - Define the Great Line; turning your iPod's volume up to the max
myspace.com/thewordalive (http://www.myspace.com/thewordalive)
Handraa
08/24/09, 05:40 PM
I wrote up a review for this as well.
Good review.
shawnPLAGUES
08/24/09, 10:51 PM
A Skylit Drive - Define the Great Line

I think Underoath's "Wires and the Concept of Breathing" should also be under the RIYL section.

In all seriousness, I do like this EP. Battle Royale is a favorite, though I prefer the demo of Casanova Rodeo over the album version.
ZachMadeMeOdd
08/24/09, 10:52 PM
Um, I do hope you know Define The Great Line was an album by UnderOath, not A Skylit Whine. Hoping it was a typo.
dancelukedance
08/24/09, 11:47 PM
A Skylit Drive - Define the Great Line

I think Underoath's "Wires and the Concept of Breathing" should also be under the RIYL section.

In all seriousness, I do like this EP. Battle Royale is a favorite, though I prefer the demo of Casanova Rodeo over the album version.

That would have been Craig Mabbit's version.

Decent review, i quite enjoyed the EP too

My favourite track would be battle royale
bjm1702
08/25/09, 12:23 AM
The vocalist Tyler does not play guitar on this EP, just thought I would point that out.

Been following the band for a while and I quite like this EP.
Akissforher
08/25/09, 01:35 AM
i've never been able to get into these guys, going by my music collection i should, maybe i should try again..
silent_platypus
08/25/09, 02:38 AM
The vocalist Tyler does not play guitar on this EP, just thought I would point that out.

Been following the band for a while and I quite like this EP.
^This. Also, Zack does most of the leads, solos, and other guitar work you'd consider "fancy" i'm pretty sure...

I also think that they fit more closely under metalcore, but same ball park, whatever.

May I also mention that the synth work is the sickest fucking thing you will hear out of any of these bands with someone on keys?
2hxc4you
08/25/09, 06:05 AM
Good review, I love this EP.
Supernovacaine
08/25/09, 06:06 AM
This EP exceeded my expectations. A good, concise review!
the daniel
08/25/09, 07:52 AM
I think Tony P's guitaring is different than any out out there in the "scene" right now. He shreds like a beast.
more heart
08/25/09, 08:47 AM
Was it even relevant to note Craig Mabbitt's connection to this band?
Meeze
08/25/09, 08:49 AM
Was it even relevant to note Craig Mabbitt's connection to this band?
thought i'd throw it in there for those who were familiar with the band prior to this new lineup
Meeze
08/25/09, 08:51 AM
Um, I do hope you know Define The Great Line was an album by UnderOath, not A Skylit Whine. Hoping it was a typo.
yeah, the intention was that they sound like the band (A Skylit Drive) and they also sound like Underoath's "Define The Great Line"...i can see how that looks different. my bad.
Meeze
08/25/09, 08:52 AM
^This. Also, Zack does most of the leads, solos, and other guitar work you'd consider "fancy" i'm pretty sure...

I also think that they fit more closely under metalcore, but same ball park, whatever.

May I also mention that the synth work is the sickest fucking thing you will hear out of any of these bands with someone on keys?
yeah i agree...the synth work is legit
TotalCollapse
08/25/09, 10:19 AM
Decent album. Battle Royale is probably my favorite track.
Trashcore
08/25/09, 10:54 AM
Dude is a beast on keys. Watching him play on their studio updates is ridiculous. Even if you don't like the band, you have to appreciate that mans fingers.
Dymytry Vance
08/25/09, 07:25 PM
That would have been Craig Mabbit's version.

Decent review, i quite enjoyed the EP too

My favourite track would be battle royale
Just to let you know I wrote a review for Jonny's album. It was two days ago, but I think it will be accepted.
dancelukedance
08/25/09, 07:41 PM
Just to let you know I wrote a review for Jonny's album. It was two days ago, but I think it will be accepted.
Oh did ya? nice one

i bet they don't post it....
Meeze
08/26/09, 09:10 AM
"Thanks man, there's just a few errors if you could change them or clear them up:
Telle doesn't play guitar
Dusty doesn't do backup vocals
Other than that, very fair review, we really appreciated it!!" ---The Word Alive

Done and done. thanks guys.
Meeze
08/26/09, 09:12 AM
The vocalist Tyler does not play guitar on this EP, just thought I would point that out.

Been following the band for a while and I quite like this EP.
yup, the band called me out on that as well...fixed though. thanks for the heads up!
more heart
08/26/09, 09:19 AM
So note to everyone: Fact check when you write a review.
Dymytry Vance
08/26/09, 01:37 PM
Oh did ya? nice one

i bet they don't post it....
I wrote it three days ago, so it probably hasn't been checked yet. :shrug: . It was like an 80+ score I think...
lamensterms
09/07/09, 05:16 AM
i realise telly is the lead vocalist (growls/screams) for this EP. but did he also to any vocals for either of the demos? i really like the in fear and faith EP, due to telly's work. and i think the vocals on the word alive's demos sound very similar.

any one know who is doing what and when?
bjm1702
09/14/09, 12:42 AM
i realise telly is the lead vocalist (growls/screams) for this EP. but did he also to any vocals for either of the demos? i really like the in fear and faith EP, due to telly's work. and i think the vocals on the word alive's demos sound very similar.

any one know who is doing what and when?

On the early demos (Casanova Rodeo, Am I on drugs? and The devil inside) craig mabbit (escape the fate) did the vocals. the first demo that telle did was "how to build an empire".
Handraa
09/14/09, 06:21 AM
So note to everyone: Fact check when you write a review.
Lol
archerboy
10/05/09, 09:35 PM
I could not stand this album. I tried so hard :( The screamer just ... ugh! It hurt my ears to listen to it.
PureBlueSF
11/11/09, 02:57 PM
The drumming on The Only Rule Is There Are No Rules is p awesome.