He Is Legend - Suck Out The Poison

[Drew Beringer]

HE IS LEGEND – Suck Out The Poison

When one is bitten by a venomous snake, one must suck out the poison. Placing your mouth over the wound, you taste the serum, and save the victim. It’s a vile yet admirable act, much like He Is Legends sophomore effort, Suck Out The Poison. The Wilmington, North Carolina, quintet offers their brand of dirty southern rock this time around, a slight change from 2004’s debut, I Am Hollywood. This time around, guitars rage back and forth with the off-kilter drumbeats, and leadman Schuylar Croom dominates every song with his passionate vocals. They balance between melodic croons and unforgiving screams. While fans of Hollywood may be turned off to the different sound on first listen, it’ll only be a matter of time until they realize that He Is Legend has given us their best work yet.

The album explodes with “Dixie Wolf (The Seduction Of…),” which begins with forceful guitars and leads into Croom’s singing over dueling riffs. The chorus of the song is reminiscent of a classic rock song, until Croom barks out “Rest in pieces!” “Attack Of The Dungeon Witch” begins with staccato drum beats from Steve Bache, and then the guitars go into a whirl, courtesy of Mckenzie Bell (who is no longer in the band) and Adam Tanbouz. Again, Croom has chosen more of a scruffy singing style rather than screaming. “Suck Out The Poison” features a chorus that soars, while “Mushroom River” begins quietly with looming riffs which then bombard your eardrums while Croom sings with flair, commanding your attention. In the final fifty seconds, the song builds up into a bruising breakdown, where guitars crush and screech and Croom pulverizes everything with his ruthless growl. “Opening” is a nice piano interlude that intimately leads you into “China White II,” a dark rocker that goes through many different tempos. Again, the vocals totter between melody and angst, and the final half is especially hard hitting. Croom creepily echoes “I am the noises that you hear when you’re in bed/and I’ll be the last thing you’ll see before you’ll dead” before the music begins to beat you senseless. “Serpent Sickness” is a sick metal track, while “Electronic Throat” takes a page from Every Time I Die’s “The New Black,” a scorching song heavy on southern riffs. “Stampede” roars throughout your membrane, a song that does not hold anything back, and Croom’s vocals once again rip through your body. “The Widow Of Magnolia” begins with a 50 or so second intro that crunches and has a chorus highlighted by gang vocals.

“The Pot Bellied Goddess” continues the overall pace and sound of the album and “Cannonball Hands (The Tomato Parade) is a two minute interlude highlighting Bache’s drum skills. This leads into one of my favorite tracks, “Goldies Torn Locks,” which begins with an anxious guitar riff and militant drums. Croom’s vocals are forceful while the guitars chomp and soar. Lyrically, I love this track, as it takes the perspective of a female, with Croom exclaiming “I am the daughter of eighteen wheelers/the sister of your broken heart.” Croom’s vocals finish off the song with a passion that most cannot match. The final track is the nearly nine minute long opus, titled “(((louds.” It’s a track that takes all the themes from the previous tracks, incorporating brutal guitars, an atmospheric melody, and Croom’s balancing act between singing and screaming his heart out. The highlight of the song is the inclusion of female vocals, which croon after Croom’s vocal gasps. It’s familiar with how Armor For Sleep ended their last album, only this is sonically a lot better. This goes on for about two minutes until Croom owns the final two and half minutes with frenzied screams while the female voice plays the contrast and the music twists and turns. It’s a exultant finish to a stellar closing track and this astonishing album.

I’m not going to lie, I Am Hollywood did nothing for me, I never got into it and because of that it made me shy away from this release. Thanks to some convincing from a few General forum members, I gave it a shot and can honestly say I love this record. Those who know me understand that I’m a fan of a little dirty southern rock, and this record, at times, reminds me of Every Time I Die’s Gutter Phenomenon, which was one of my favorite records of 2005. Schuylar Croom’s vocals and lyrics are what sold me on the album, though. His vocal range on this album is stunning and his abstract writing style gives substance to this record. In my opinion, this is the strongest album to release on Solid State records in 2006, and one of my favorite heavier releases. While some older fans will be disappointed on first listen, I recommend giving it time, reading the lyrics, and appreciating the vocal style, as the music will eventually grow on you. He Is Legend have completely changed my opinion on them with this release, and I feel like this album can bring in some fans who initially wrote them off (like me). Pick this up on Tuesday; Poison has never tasted better.

Tracklisting:
01. Dixie Wolf (The Seduction Of...)
02. Attack of the Dungeon Witch
03. Suck Out The Poison
04. Mushroom River
05. Opening
06. China White II
07. Serpent Sickness
08. Electronic Throat
09. Stampede
10. The Widow of Magnolia
11. The Pot Bellied Goddess
12. Cannonball Hands (The Tomato Parade)
13. Goldies Torn Locks
14. (((louds

He Is Legend are:
Steve Bache - drums
Mckenzie Bell - guitar
Schuylar Croom - vocals
Adam Tanbouz - guitar
Matt Williams – bass

Release Date: October 3, 2006
Record Label: Solid State (http://www.solidstaterecords.com)
Official Website (http://www.heislegend.com); Official Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/heislegend)

[a speedo model]

i'm fucking stoked for this, great review Drew.

[EmoScreamo]

I gotta agree with you on this one. Suck Out The Poison has that dirty rock feel of Everytime I Die and Maylene and The Sons Of Disaster. And I think that's why I wasn't a fan of this release. I loved I Am Hollywood, it had a jazzy feel mixed with good metal riffs. I thought it was creative and envoked a lot of emotion. But this album didn't do much for me. It just felt like dirty southern heavy rock with no emotion to it. And that's mainly due to the vocals. i guess the constant touring and him not taking care of his voice changed his sound on recording.

[ascitiesburn101]

Good review. I'm looking forward to listening to this album tommorow..

[Caleb Cattivera]

drew, you need to remove mcenzie's name he's no longer in the band.

btw, greeeeat review could not have wrote it better myself.

[Scott Weber]

this album is sick nasty shredfest. I love it now, I hope it sticks. The melodies are awesome.

[EmoScreamo]

drew, you need to remove mcenzie's name he's no longer in the band.

btw, greeeeat review could not have wrote it better myself.

but he did help record the record. i'm sure he is acknowledged in the CD. It's only right for the guy who helped record the album be listed I think.

[gonz]

Good review, great album, and I love the closer of the review Drew, good stuff.

[gonz]

this album is sick nasty shredfest. I love it now, I hope it sticks. The melodies are awesome.
The melody in the chorus for Serpent Sickness is incredible.

[Drew Beringer]

drew, you need to remove mcenzie's name he's no longer in the band.

btw, greeeeat review could not have wrote it better myself.

If you read the review, I noted that Mckenzie isn't in the band, but I'm still gonna give him credit since he did play on the record.

[dubey]

Great album and review.

[xearlynovemberx]

Another solid review

[meeotch]

nice. really nice. now all i have to do is decide if i want to pick it up tomorrow or wait till the release show on thursday.

[xdrummerxdudex]

nice. really nice. now all i have to do is decide if i want to pick it up tomorrow or wait till the release show on thursday.

wait till the release show. it'll be cheaper.

[domesticyeti]

im anxious to hear this. im not sure what i think of "i am hollywood", but i've heard from alot of people that this is awesome

[bigmig22]

just saw them last night in carrboro, nc. kind of disappointing compared to past times ive seen them (i've seen them 4 times prior).
i think it was because of the new guitarists. They played i am hollywood first, followed by seduction, and the rest were new songs. i don't mind them playing new songs, but i hadnt heard any of them. then when they left the stage, in what normally is the encore, they came out and said "we really can't play anymore songs, he hasn't learned them yet". its not their fault. just kind of sucked though.

on a positive note, cant wait to listen to this album.

[gonz]

just saw them last night in carrboro, nc. kind of disappointing compared to past times ive seen them (i've seen them 4 times prior).
i think it was because of the new guitarists. They played i am hollywood first, followed by seduction, and the rest were new songs. i don't mind them playing new songs, but i hadnt heard any of them. then when they left the stage, in what normally is the encore, they came out and said "we really can't play anymore songs, he hasn't learned them yet". its not their fault. just kind of sucked though.

on a positive note, cant wait to listen to this album.
ahhh shit, how was the new guitarist, what did he look like, name, etc etc fill us in man

[love_american_style]

i need to get this really soon....and i get paid this week.

[Caleb Cattivera]

If you read the review, I noted that Mckenzie isn't in the band, but I'm still gonna give him credit since he did play on the record.

i went back and read it twice more, i dont know how i skipped over that. sorry dude.

[Drew Beringer]

i went back and read it twice more, i dont know how i skipped over that. sorry dude.

haha it's all good, ilu

[Sycro]

Good review.... but it's their third album, not their second.

[love_american_style]

Good review.... but it's their third album, not their second.

well some would consiter it their second because when they say albums they're usualy talking about full lengths and not e.p.'s

[Big_Guy]

I gotta agree with you on this one. Suck Out The Poison has that dirty rock feel of Everytime I Die and Maylene and The Sons Of Disaster. And I think that's why I wasn't a fan of this release. I loved I Am Hollywood, it had a jazzy feel mixed with good metal riffs. I thought it was creative and envoked a lot of emotion. But this album didn't do much for me. It just felt like dirty southern heavy rock with no emotion to it. And that's mainly due to the vocals. i guess the constant touring and him not taking care of his voice changed his sound on recording.

agree 100%

they had something original on IAH, this sounds like every other metalcore band trying to do the southern rock thing (albeit better)

[Eurotrash Drock]

just out of curiosity Drew, what was it that put you off from I Am Hollywood? i love that cd and it cemented in my mind as being one of the most original 'harder rock' cds in recent times, however, when i heard the 3 or 4 songs released on Suck Out The Poison, they all seemed somewhat generic and forgettable. gone were the hooks or riffs that stuck in your mind all week. the riffs and beats on the new cd just seemed rather unispired or memorable. not unlike a lot of heavy music currently available. after reading this review though, i will give it a second chance, get the album and listen to it as a whole, but i was just wondering what your opinion was.

[Drew Beringer]

just out of curiosity Drew, what was it that put you off from I Am Hollywood? i love that cd and it cemented in my mind as being one of the most original 'harder rock' cds in recent times, however, when i heard the 3 or 4 songs released on Suck Out The Poison, they all seemed somewhat generic and forgettable. gone were the hooks or riffs that stuck in your mind all week. the riffs and beats on the new cd just seemed rather unispired or memorable. not unlike a lot of heavy music currently available. after reading this review though, i will give it a second chance, get the album and listen to it as a whole, but i was just wondering what your opinion was.

IAH was just an album that never stuck with me, it just might be because I heard it at a period of time where it didn't mean much to me and I just didn't like it then. But, because I love this album so much, I plan on relistening to IAH since it seems like I'm missing out.

[Deeee]

I've been waiting quite long for this one... I know it will be way better than I Am Hollywood, which I liked... ALOT... so yeah, I'm stoked

[intoyourarms]

the album is much much better as whole than the few tracks that were released. anyone basing it on the songs they released on the internet need to go buy the cd. if you like i am hollywood you will like this. i agree though their is more melody and by not listening to IAH drew you missed all the references to that cd that are on the new cd in your review. heh good review though can't wait for the cd release show tommorow.

[SLADE775]

I'm very excited for this album.....but I am Hollywood blows it out of the water.

His voice is near-perfect on that album.

Nice weel written review though, dude. :-)

[SLADE775]

hahahahaha

He dismisses I Am Hollywood but embraces Define the Great Line.

Silly, silly Drewseph.

[Eurotrash Drock]

everyone seems to make this cd the greatest thing since mewithoutYou's 'Brother, Sister' (which is hands down the album of the year btw). so fuck it, im gonna go pick it up tomorrow.

[gladnads]

well some would consiter it their second because when they say albums they're usualy talking about full lengths and not e.p.'s


Eight songs is a pretty lengthy EP.

Good review. Waiting on mine to mail in with my shirt.

[love_american_style]

Eight songs is a pretty lengthy EP.

Good review. Waiting on mine to mail in with my shirt.

i thought the deffenition of an e.p. had to do w/ time length not quantity of songs.

[youcomebeforeyo]

I pretty much disagree with most reviews Drew does and I have to agree on this. It's not a bad album it just lacks flair, nothing jumps out at me and grabs me. There are some good songs but it's just disapointing knowing the band are capable of so much more.

[jon_drummer]

Good review thumbs up

[DreamOfUnity]

Def. looking forward to this one.

[gonz]

I'm very excited for this album.....but I am Hollywood blows it out of the water.

His voice is near-perfect on that album.

Nice weel written review though, dude. :-)
Suck Out The Poison > I Am Hollywood

and lol @ the bold

[LilRyan732]

well some would consiter it their second because when they say albums they're usualy talking about full lengths and not e.p.'s

If you want to argue this point, the words the author used was "effort" so that could mean pretty much both EP + album

i thought the deffenition of an e.p. had to do w/ time length not quantity of songs.

Nope, it's definitely song quantity. for example, Frances The Mute, if it were in its truest form (5 songs) would be an EP but anything 8 songs and up is a full length and that makes HIL's first "effort" a "full length" so this would be their "junior" effort if you will.

looking for dem boys in blue... don't you know they'll come for you...

[boldt_action]

great review drew-face.

[gutter_phenomen]

seemed like a book report to me, though i got the gist

you need to listen to i am hollywood some more dude

[saysmydoctor]

I Am Hollywood was great. I hope this album is up to par, like you said,

[WhnFnalySetFree]

I love dirty southern rock.

[livethesounds]

good review drew. this is the #1 album for me so far this year.

[Chemical Love]

I'm looking forward to hearing this CD.

[NameTaken69]

might have to check this out, they were entertaining live, but never really got into them

[mmmuffins]

I'm definitely going to have to give this album a listen before I buy it. IAH was beyond amazing to me, and the few SOTP tracks I've heard I've been disappointed with. Shuylar's voice was so interesting. It was unpredicatable and so unique. His range on that album was amazing. Trading it in for gritty is something that didn't really appeal to me.

[weworemasks]

this album is sick nasty shredfest. I love it now, I hope it sticks. The melodies are awesome.

agreed. i just want to bang my head for an hour straight. i have not stopped listening to it.

and for those who dont know:

best buy has it for 9.99 tomorrow, and if you hit up hil's myspace, they have a $2 off coupon, so it'll be 8 bucks. not much for something that kills pandas when played.

[TheCaptain]

great review. i'll be at best buy in about 12 hours.

[Chris Fallon]

Another solid DreVIEw (man, I am so clever.......srsly).

I actually might go and buy this disc now. You always convince me to pick something up if I am skeptical.

[Ragnarok71]

I will admit to being one of the people who was ready to write them off. I liked one song off their first cd being the seduction, so i wasnt expecting much from this cd. The moment I listened to their songs posted on their myspace page i wa slike :O i must buy this album.

[seans seatbelt]

Nice review, Drew. In the second paragraph, I think you left out, presumably "hold".

"roars throughout your membrane, a song that does not anything back"

[TheCaptain]

The melody in the chorus for Serpent Sickness is incredible.

I second that.

I just picked it up from Best Buy. I only listened to about 8 songs in my car but man, that was the best 8 songs i've ever heard. This is probably the best album of 2006. Hands down. HIL is amazing.

[Drew Beringer]

Nice review, Drew. In the second paragraph, I think you left out, presumably "hold".

"roars throughout your membrane, a song that does not anything back"

haha indeed, thanks

[livethesounds]

Drew, over the weekend you said there would be a "suprise" when you got the cd. I just bought it at best buy today and ive listned to it halfway through and havnt heard anything diffrent than the copy i got online. what were u talking about?

[Drew Beringer]

Drew, over the weekend you said there would be a "suprise" when you got the cd. I just bought it at best buy today and ive listned to it halfway through and havnt heard anything diffrent than the copy i got online. what were u talking about?

haha what? I don't remember saying that, I might have said this cd surprised me by being so good. I dunno where you got that from, bud haha

[livethesounds]

haha what? I don't remember saying that, I might have said this cd surprised me by being so good. I dunno where you got that from, bud haha

oops i went back and looked for it and it wasnt you Drew it was Caleb. I guess i thought it was you because you did the review sorry. Anyway heres the quote...whats he talking about?

ive had this on steady rotation for about 3 weeks, i love it...there's also a little bit of a surprise when the album comes out.

Caleb?

[Drew Beringer]

oops i went back and looked for it and it wasnt you Drew it was Caleb. I guess i thought it was you because you did the review sorry. Anyway heres the quote...whats he talking about?



Caleb?

haha I have no clue.

[Troggy]

i will buy this. good review.

[marbury1414]

oops i went back and looked for it and it wasnt you Drew it was Caleb. I guess i thought it was you because you did the review sorry. Anyway heres the quote...whats he talking about?



Caleb?

I was wondering the same thing.

[Theronyll]

Holy shit..! I'm at "Serpent Sickness" at the moment, listening to it as I write this. I haven't heard the other 7 songs that follow. I just have to comment..!

I loved I Am Hollywood. I loved it!!! Now I just wonder "wtf happened to your voice, Croom? And wtf happened to that special, weird, almost mysterious music style?". Now it nearly sounds like one of the many heavy shit out there.

Ok, I AM being to negative... it does sound good. I would've been happy with my foundation if this was a new band I got my hands on, but it isn't. It's He Is Legend. And I'm disappointed.

Greets&Cheers,
Vince

[gonz]

I was wondering the same thing.
I, too, was wondering this.
I'm definitely going to have to give this album a listen before I buy it. IAH was beyond amazing to me, and the few SOTP tracks I've heard I've been disappointed with. Shuylar's voice was so interesting. It was unpredicatable and so unique. His range on that album was amazing. Trading it in for gritty is something that didn't really appeal to me.
Like Drew said in the review, his range is still really good on the new one. Just listen to it first, then make your judgements.

[hello_arsonist]

dear god this cd is fanfuckingtastic. i am hollywood was golden, but this album takes where it left off and goes above and beyond. way to go he is legend for making my favorite cd of 2006!

[youwithoutMe]

i think this album isn't very good

[Theronyll]

Listened to the whole album 4 times now, and I can still say I'm highly disappointed. A band is good when it can keep its fans satisfied, and I think He Is Legend failed in that. Ofcourse there are fans that still love them, but not the majority.

What I loved about He Is Legend was their weird and almost mysterious kinda songs. You couldn't put your finger on the melody.. and the way the song was build up. Sudden calm moment followed by exploded screams of great lyrics.. et cetera.

This album is just screaming.. screaming.. heavy guitars... screaming. Every song sounds the same to me.

He Is Legend = One Of The Many, now. I repeat, I'm disappointed.

[Sycro]

i thought the deffenition of an e.p. had to do w/ time length not quantity of songs.

At 34 minutes, it's almost as long as the last 2 SOAD albums and every Blink-182 album. And longer than Frances the Mute without the noise.

[Latane]

Maybe Im retarded but I think this album is horrible. Schuylar Croom dominates every song??? You have to be kidding me. The production and the vocals especially sound bad on the new album. Don't get me wrong, I like He Is Legend and Im all for bands trying new things/styles but I think this album isn't that great. That's just my opinion....maybe I need to listen to the album a few more times.

[cuetheflames]

great review. it inspired me to get it.

[farfromsafe]

This CD thoroughly disappointed me. I went out and bought it w/o listening to any of it, only because I loved the previous offering. I think the production sucks, and it killed the energy of the sound from the previous release, and I think the vocals lack much emotion and range.

The only thing I still enjoy from He is Legend on this album is the instrumental work.

I cant get into it at all. This CD is going to the stack in my room where the other misfit cds that don't get rotation on the stereo go.

I tried so hard to like it, listened to it multiple times, but cant do it. For me it was a waste of my $$. Usually I listen to the CD before buying it. whoops. haha.

Suck out the poision? Suck out the original sound that used to set them apart.

[LambertofGod]

This CD i cant get enough of it's exactly the direction i hoped they would go in. i liked their first 2 CD's also, its just that this cd is so intense and i love intensity. Gives me chills down my spine.

[jamesmustdie]

This album is a masterpiece.

[superBMRuth]

I was an I Am Hollywood diehard and i hated this album when i first listened to it and just stuck it on the cd rack to die (or just get dusty). it wasn't until recently that i decided to give it another try and i'm in love with this band all over again. great review, i'm excited about their new demos on myspace too as i'm more optimistic to anything these guys do now.

[d50416]

The problem with this album is that every single one of the haters wanted I Am Hollywood part 2, they have so much talent and it really shows on this album. The southern intensity blares from the speakers, and some tracks are simply He Is Legend gold

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