Dystroxia
01/01/10, 07:20 PM
blessthefall - Witness
Record Label: Fearless Records
Release Date: October 6, 2009
blessthefall are one of those types of bands that just catches your ear with pleasant clean vocals before switching to their screamed vocals. This Phoenix, AZ, band has something to prove this time around after their first album, His Last Walk, was a decent record with good screams, but terrible clean, congested-sounding vocals, coming from Craig Mabbitt. However, things have changed over two years (well, actually three almost). Mabbitt's not in the band anymore, and so are two other people, but now they have singer Beau Bokan, who is a great, outstanding replacement on the clean vocal department. However, bassist Jared Warth takes over screamed vocals this time around, which aren't as impressive, but nevertheless still better than some artists. Witness is a major improvement from their first album by far.
"2.0" is the intro to the album, as Warth chants the lines: "We're not dead / We're not like you said" halfway through, gets interrupted by a breakdown, and then chants it again until the song is over, but it's only a minute long. Other than the intro, all the songs have a different chorus, but it's all the same, and not much actually changes. Sing, scream, sing some more, scream some more. I mean, at least they're actually good at it. Thankfully, these songs actually have meanings. "God Wears Gucci" tells about how bands use god's name to get money. It's a good song, with an insanely catchy chorus that goes: "Fall to your knees / that's what you told me / I cannot believe / When you live a lie (Lie to my face) / It's nothing new to me." I don't know what that has to do with getting a dollar off of god, but at least the song is catchy and good. "Hey Baby, Here's That Song You Wanted" has no screamed vocals, as Bokan shines in the song, and talks about how his relationship with his ex didn't work out. "Last Ones Left" is about Bokan always being there for his band mates, no matter what, and it's a good song. "Five Ninety", which tells about Bokan's little sister that is battling alcoholism, is a great song, with a breakdown around the end, just like "Last Ones Left". "Stay Still" is the best song on the album, although it is the last song. The song's meaning has to do with Bokan's close friend dying in a plane crash. The chorus sings: "If I could pull you from wreckage / We'd be all fine, oh lord / Don't tell me this is happening / If I could hold you for a second / We'd be all right, oh lord / Don't tell me this is happening." Bokan sings this with emotion and anyone can relate to this song, especially if you've lost a loved one.
The instrument playing, however, is only average. They can play, but nothing's really special (that includes their breakdowns). Nothing just seems to stand out, except for the vocals, and that's one problem. Another, as mentioned before, is lack of originality. A third problem are the screamed vocals. While they're not bad, they can be better. To me, Warth seems like he's hurting his throat when he screams for some reason. If blessthefall had the same song structure like HLW, and stay away from putting choruses in each song, maybe in about five or six songs, this album could shine further. In an interview, it was mentioned that Bokan does not use autotune, so he can sing live, although I cannot determine that, as I haven't heard them live.
Honestly, I can't complain that much, because they improved a lot, and it was a wise decision to kick Mabbitt to the curb and bring in Bokan. Is this album better than His Last Walk? Yes, by a long shot. This band has a little work to do, but Witness warrants a purchase by the ones who like post-hardcore. For the ones striving for "heavy" hardcore, don't look here. I like this album, and will pick it up as soon as I can, because I like it. As for anyone else, at least give it a listen, if you won't buy it.
Hopes Die Last; Greeley Estates; Silverstein
www.myspace.com/blessthefall (http://www.myspace.com/blessthefall)
To Hell and Back; God Wears Gucci; Last Ones Left; Stay Still
Record Label: Fearless Records
Release Date: October 6, 2009
blessthefall are one of those types of bands that just catches your ear with pleasant clean vocals before switching to their screamed vocals. This Phoenix, AZ, band has something to prove this time around after their first album, His Last Walk, was a decent record with good screams, but terrible clean, congested-sounding vocals, coming from Craig Mabbitt. However, things have changed over two years (well, actually three almost). Mabbitt's not in the band anymore, and so are two other people, but now they have singer Beau Bokan, who is a great, outstanding replacement on the clean vocal department. However, bassist Jared Warth takes over screamed vocals this time around, which aren't as impressive, but nevertheless still better than some artists. Witness is a major improvement from their first album by far.
"2.0" is the intro to the album, as Warth chants the lines: "We're not dead / We're not like you said" halfway through, gets interrupted by a breakdown, and then chants it again until the song is over, but it's only a minute long. Other than the intro, all the songs have a different chorus, but it's all the same, and not much actually changes. Sing, scream, sing some more, scream some more. I mean, at least they're actually good at it. Thankfully, these songs actually have meanings. "God Wears Gucci" tells about how bands use god's name to get money. It's a good song, with an insanely catchy chorus that goes: "Fall to your knees / that's what you told me / I cannot believe / When you live a lie (Lie to my face) / It's nothing new to me." I don't know what that has to do with getting a dollar off of god, but at least the song is catchy and good. "Hey Baby, Here's That Song You Wanted" has no screamed vocals, as Bokan shines in the song, and talks about how his relationship with his ex didn't work out. "Last Ones Left" is about Bokan always being there for his band mates, no matter what, and it's a good song. "Five Ninety", which tells about Bokan's little sister that is battling alcoholism, is a great song, with a breakdown around the end, just like "Last Ones Left". "Stay Still" is the best song on the album, although it is the last song. The song's meaning has to do with Bokan's close friend dying in a plane crash. The chorus sings: "If I could pull you from wreckage / We'd be all fine, oh lord / Don't tell me this is happening / If I could hold you for a second / We'd be all right, oh lord / Don't tell me this is happening." Bokan sings this with emotion and anyone can relate to this song, especially if you've lost a loved one.
The instrument playing, however, is only average. They can play, but nothing's really special (that includes their breakdowns). Nothing just seems to stand out, except for the vocals, and that's one problem. Another, as mentioned before, is lack of originality. A third problem are the screamed vocals. While they're not bad, they can be better. To me, Warth seems like he's hurting his throat when he screams for some reason. If blessthefall had the same song structure like HLW, and stay away from putting choruses in each song, maybe in about five or six songs, this album could shine further. In an interview, it was mentioned that Bokan does not use autotune, so he can sing live, although I cannot determine that, as I haven't heard them live.
Honestly, I can't complain that much, because they improved a lot, and it was a wise decision to kick Mabbitt to the curb and bring in Bokan. Is this album better than His Last Walk? Yes, by a long shot. This band has a little work to do, but Witness warrants a purchase by the ones who like post-hardcore. For the ones striving for "heavy" hardcore, don't look here. I like this album, and will pick it up as soon as I can, because I like it. As for anyone else, at least give it a listen, if you won't buy it.
Hopes Die Last; Greeley Estates; Silverstein
www.myspace.com/blessthefall (http://www.myspace.com/blessthefall)
To Hell and Back; God Wears Gucci; Last Ones Left; Stay Still