JuneJuly
10/11/09, 08:42 PM
blessthefall - Witness
Record Label: Fearless Records
Release Date: October 6th, 2009
I was never a huge fan of blessthefall. (By the way, do they capitalize the b or not?) Higinia was a decent song with a crappy video, and I could talk about a couple of other songs as well. (PS: Am I the only one who thinks Craig Mabbit sounds like Claudio Sanchez?) Before even releasing their first album they toured with bands such as Greeley Estates, Alesana, and most notably, Norma Jean, and they snowballed from there. Then, in late 2007, while on tour with Silverstein in Europe, Mabbit left the band. Citing "personal reasons", not a lot of detail was given on the departure of their frontman. (Some say it was to spend time with his family) Jared Warth filled in on vocals, handling both that and bass. In September of 2008 they recruited Beau Bokan, formerly of Take the Crown. A year later, they released Witness.
Witness starts with "2.0". It's one minute long, more of an introduction than a real song. Don't be mislead by the term introduction though, as "2.0" is more of a preview of what is to come, rather than something they threw in at the last minute to add a track to the album. It may not be the strongest of beginnings, but blessthefall's intent is clear. 2.0. This is blessthefall version 2.0. They're here, and they're different than what they were. Bassist and screamer Werth goes even farther in 2.0 with the repeated line "we're not like you said/we're not dead". The breakdown is simple yet surprisingly powerful, and the band joins Bokan and Werth in a round of gang vocals that not only have a nice sound, but is symbolic. They're still a functional, working unit, even after what they've been through. Though the vocals are slightly harsh, and the production is kind of weird (at times it sounds like it's a bootleg recording, or self-produced, I.E. Breathing in a New Mentality on the new Underoathdisk), it's a fitting introduction. The transition into "What's Left of Me" is bizarre, and kind of random, and doesn't go smoothly. The drumline draws on too long as well. It recovers nicely, however, and is actually one of the better songs off of this album. It culminates as Bokan laments "Breathe you in and it's all over now/When my arms open/Breathe you in I'll breathe you in". "God Wears Gucci" was the first single off Witness, and it's a worthy one. It's the most catchy song they have, and the most mainstream friendly. Drummer Matt Traynor really starts to shine here, and the chorus is catchy. "Fall to your knees, that's what you told me, I cannot believe" and then later "Your time is running out! you should known better/only you can save you now! but you won't remember". It ends with what I assume is a real phone message from an ex-girlfriend. "Hey Beau, you are a fucking liar, you are worthless, I never want to ever talk to you or see you again, so go fuck yourself."
"Hey Baby, Here's The Song You Wanted"is the anthem of Witness, and it's my favorite on the album. The riffs impress, and the lyrics yet again manage to be catchy, while focusing mostly on Bokan and clean vocals. Listening to "Hey Baby"you couldn't tell that blessthefall screamed at all. "Witness", the title track,is completely different. It's heavy from the beginning, and while "Hey Baby" focuses on Bokan, this focuses on Werth. It hits you hard and it doesn't stop.
The second half of the album is as good. Highlights are "Five Ninety" and "You Deserve Nothing and I Hope You Get Less" and the ending track, "Stay Still" has a beautiful guitar line.
The vocal tag team of Bokan and Werth is impressive. Their work on Witness rivals Mike Hrancia and Jeremy DePoyster from the Devil Wears Prada, at least vocally. The musicianship is strong, Traynor is a very good drummer, Eric Lambert and Mike Frisby on guitars shabby either.
My one main beef with this album are the lyrics. While they aren't terrible (they aren't spectacular either), there is a major reliance on the chorus lines. Though often times they are very catchy, the repetition makes you bored quickly. Many of the songs here could be a lot better if they replaced just one chorus with a simple verse.
Production is excellent. Witness produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette. Credits include (production, mixing, and/or recording) the Classic Crime, Inhcubus, Story of the Year, Escape the Fate, Three Days Grace and many more. Though it may not completely be original (dare I say I hear some Lost in the Sound of Seperation?), it isn't a clone of anything I've heard before. As for lasting value, I've listened to this album a number of times and it hasn't lost any of its worth.
Interesting is the lack of breakdowns during this album. Arguably it's just as heavy as their first attempt. To me, blessthefall is walking away from the emphasis of the br00tal mentality of monster breakdowns, and focusing on the actual music that they put out.
Those who say there is no such thing as a sophomore slump is obviously wrong. However, it isn't evident here. Though you might not even consider this a sophomore effort, Witness completely eclipses His Last Walk. Going from Mabbit to Bokan was a huge change for blessthefall. While Mabbit certainly wasn't a bad vocalist, and I hope he does well in Escape the Fate, Bokan is the better singer. While Mabbit is at times (during blessthefall, not as much during This War is Ours) whining and drawling, Bokan is strong and clear. Now the question for blessthefall is this: will their be a sophomore slump from Witness? Should we expect them to become even stronger with a third (or second, depending on how you look at it) album, or are they going to fizzle out? Have faith. This album isn't incredible, but it definitely isn't bad. It is a major improvement from His Last alk. These guys are here to stay.
Track Listing
"2.0" - 1:00
"What's Left of Me" - 3:30
"To Hell and Back" - 3:18
"God Wears Gucci" - 4:07
"Hey Baby, Here's That Song You Wanted" - 3:14
"Witness" - 3:13
"Last Ones Left" - 2:51
"Five Ninety" - 3:50
"We'll Sleep When We're Dead" - 4:11
"Skinwalkers" - 3:58
"You Deserve Nothing and I Hope You Get Less" - 3:36
"Stay Still" - 4:10
Recommended If You LikeThe Word Alive, Take the Crown, less breakdowns, clean vocals
myspace.com/blessthefall
Record Label: Fearless Records
Release Date: October 6th, 2009
I was never a huge fan of blessthefall. (By the way, do they capitalize the b or not?) Higinia was a decent song with a crappy video, and I could talk about a couple of other songs as well. (PS: Am I the only one who thinks Craig Mabbit sounds like Claudio Sanchez?) Before even releasing their first album they toured with bands such as Greeley Estates, Alesana, and most notably, Norma Jean, and they snowballed from there. Then, in late 2007, while on tour with Silverstein in Europe, Mabbit left the band. Citing "personal reasons", not a lot of detail was given on the departure of their frontman. (Some say it was to spend time with his family) Jared Warth filled in on vocals, handling both that and bass. In September of 2008 they recruited Beau Bokan, formerly of Take the Crown. A year later, they released Witness.
Witness starts with "2.0". It's one minute long, more of an introduction than a real song. Don't be mislead by the term introduction though, as "2.0" is more of a preview of what is to come, rather than something they threw in at the last minute to add a track to the album. It may not be the strongest of beginnings, but blessthefall's intent is clear. 2.0. This is blessthefall version 2.0. They're here, and they're different than what they were. Bassist and screamer Werth goes even farther in 2.0 with the repeated line "we're not like you said/we're not dead". The breakdown is simple yet surprisingly powerful, and the band joins Bokan and Werth in a round of gang vocals that not only have a nice sound, but is symbolic. They're still a functional, working unit, even after what they've been through. Though the vocals are slightly harsh, and the production is kind of weird (at times it sounds like it's a bootleg recording, or self-produced, I.E. Breathing in a New Mentality on the new Underoathdisk), it's a fitting introduction. The transition into "What's Left of Me" is bizarre, and kind of random, and doesn't go smoothly. The drumline draws on too long as well. It recovers nicely, however, and is actually one of the better songs off of this album. It culminates as Bokan laments "Breathe you in and it's all over now/When my arms open/Breathe you in I'll breathe you in". "God Wears Gucci" was the first single off Witness, and it's a worthy one. It's the most catchy song they have, and the most mainstream friendly. Drummer Matt Traynor really starts to shine here, and the chorus is catchy. "Fall to your knees, that's what you told me, I cannot believe" and then later "Your time is running out! you should known better/only you can save you now! but you won't remember". It ends with what I assume is a real phone message from an ex-girlfriend. "Hey Beau, you are a fucking liar, you are worthless, I never want to ever talk to you or see you again, so go fuck yourself."
"Hey Baby, Here's The Song You Wanted"is the anthem of Witness, and it's my favorite on the album. The riffs impress, and the lyrics yet again manage to be catchy, while focusing mostly on Bokan and clean vocals. Listening to "Hey Baby"you couldn't tell that blessthefall screamed at all. "Witness", the title track,is completely different. It's heavy from the beginning, and while "Hey Baby" focuses on Bokan, this focuses on Werth. It hits you hard and it doesn't stop.
The second half of the album is as good. Highlights are "Five Ninety" and "You Deserve Nothing and I Hope You Get Less" and the ending track, "Stay Still" has a beautiful guitar line.
The vocal tag team of Bokan and Werth is impressive. Their work on Witness rivals Mike Hrancia and Jeremy DePoyster from the Devil Wears Prada, at least vocally. The musicianship is strong, Traynor is a very good drummer, Eric Lambert and Mike Frisby on guitars shabby either.
My one main beef with this album are the lyrics. While they aren't terrible (they aren't spectacular either), there is a major reliance on the chorus lines. Though often times they are very catchy, the repetition makes you bored quickly. Many of the songs here could be a lot better if they replaced just one chorus with a simple verse.
Production is excellent. Witness produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette. Credits include (production, mixing, and/or recording) the Classic Crime, Inhcubus, Story of the Year, Escape the Fate, Three Days Grace and many more. Though it may not completely be original (dare I say I hear some Lost in the Sound of Seperation?), it isn't a clone of anything I've heard before. As for lasting value, I've listened to this album a number of times and it hasn't lost any of its worth.
Interesting is the lack of breakdowns during this album. Arguably it's just as heavy as their first attempt. To me, blessthefall is walking away from the emphasis of the br00tal mentality of monster breakdowns, and focusing on the actual music that they put out.
Those who say there is no such thing as a sophomore slump is obviously wrong. However, it isn't evident here. Though you might not even consider this a sophomore effort, Witness completely eclipses His Last Walk. Going from Mabbit to Bokan was a huge change for blessthefall. While Mabbit certainly wasn't a bad vocalist, and I hope he does well in Escape the Fate, Bokan is the better singer. While Mabbit is at times (during blessthefall, not as much during This War is Ours) whining and drawling, Bokan is strong and clear. Now the question for blessthefall is this: will their be a sophomore slump from Witness? Should we expect them to become even stronger with a third (or second, depending on how you look at it) album, or are they going to fizzle out? Have faith. This album isn't incredible, but it definitely isn't bad. It is a major improvement from His Last alk. These guys are here to stay.
Track Listing
"2.0" - 1:00
"What's Left of Me" - 3:30
"To Hell and Back" - 3:18
"God Wears Gucci" - 4:07
"Hey Baby, Here's That Song You Wanted" - 3:14
"Witness" - 3:13
"Last Ones Left" - 2:51
"Five Ninety" - 3:50
"We'll Sleep When We're Dead" - 4:11
"Skinwalkers" - 3:58
"You Deserve Nothing and I Hope You Get Less" - 3:36
"Stay Still" - 4:10
Recommended If You LikeThe Word Alive, Take the Crown, less breakdowns, clean vocals
myspace.com/blessthefall