Alex DiVincenzo
08/04/08, 10:35 AM
Walls of Jericho - The American Dream
Record Label: Trustkill Records
Release Date: July 29, 2008
A few months back Walls of Jericho put out an EP entitled Redemption. As if the fact that it was produced by Slipknot/Stone Sour vocalist Corey Taylor wasn't enough to make fans cry "sell out," its acoustic orientation alienated many fans. Still, with Taylor's name attached and high profile tours in tow I'm sure they gained more than they lost. The title of Redemption would have been more fitting for their latest full length, The American Dream, which many fans are hoping redeems the band from the EP.
"Tonight is ours!" The powerful gang vocals of the opening track, "The New Ministry," are a great introductory song for an album of this nature and perfect to kick off a setlist to get the crowd pumped in a live setting. The chugging guitars call to mind the early hardcore roots of the band, but once the next track, "II The Prey," hits, the band displays their improved musicianship with a crisp, thrashy sound thanks to producer Ben Shiegel (Misery Signals, Chimaira, Drowning Pool). The band's music has gotten more metal-based with each release, and The American Dream continues the trend as an unabashed metalcore record. The title track is next, in which vocalist Candace Kucsulain professes "Fuck the American dream!" This song is sure to be a fan favorite with an anthemic sound, gang vocals, and a huge breakdown at the end.
Much of the lyrical content is politically charged, but not overtly so; often they speak of war but mask it in metaphors, albeit not too subtly. Kucsulain also gets personal on tracks like "Standing on Paper Stilts." My favorite line comes from "A Long Walk Home:" "I know words can't change the world, but they can have an impact on life / Through some words that someone else wrote I found hope / And hope is all we have." Perhaps not the most poetic lyric, but it's one that I can really relate to.
There are some unfortunate nu metal moments peppered throughout the album. "Long Walk Home" is particularly embarrassing; if it had a few more drummers and some DJ scratches it could be a Slipknot song, complete with clean singing. Prior to this I was glad that the band kept their clean vocals separate from their heavier material, but the entire song is bad. The disc comes to a close with "The Slaughter Begins," a track which would have fit right in on Redemption. It begins as a piano ballad before being accompanied by acoustic guitars and symbols. Kucsulain has an adequate voice and fans of Evanescence will enjoy such a track, but those looking for something heavy are sure to turn the album off early.
Although the genre is over saturated, those looking for a sufficient metalcore disc will not be disappointed by The American Dream. With it Walls of Jericho will have fans piling on, circle pitting, moshing, and banging their heads all in a matter of minutes. Most importantly, it takes the bad taste left by the previous EP out of your mouth.
Bury Your Dead, It Dies Today, Stick to Your Guns, Diecast, Lamb of God
myspace.com/wallsofjericho (http://myspace.com/wallsofjericho)
Record Label: Trustkill Records
Release Date: July 29, 2008
A few months back Walls of Jericho put out an EP entitled Redemption. As if the fact that it was produced by Slipknot/Stone Sour vocalist Corey Taylor wasn't enough to make fans cry "sell out," its acoustic orientation alienated many fans. Still, with Taylor's name attached and high profile tours in tow I'm sure they gained more than they lost. The title of Redemption would have been more fitting for their latest full length, The American Dream, which many fans are hoping redeems the band from the EP.
"Tonight is ours!" The powerful gang vocals of the opening track, "The New Ministry," are a great introductory song for an album of this nature and perfect to kick off a setlist to get the crowd pumped in a live setting. The chugging guitars call to mind the early hardcore roots of the band, but once the next track, "II The Prey," hits, the band displays their improved musicianship with a crisp, thrashy sound thanks to producer Ben Shiegel (Misery Signals, Chimaira, Drowning Pool). The band's music has gotten more metal-based with each release, and The American Dream continues the trend as an unabashed metalcore record. The title track is next, in which vocalist Candace Kucsulain professes "Fuck the American dream!" This song is sure to be a fan favorite with an anthemic sound, gang vocals, and a huge breakdown at the end.
Much of the lyrical content is politically charged, but not overtly so; often they speak of war but mask it in metaphors, albeit not too subtly. Kucsulain also gets personal on tracks like "Standing on Paper Stilts." My favorite line comes from "A Long Walk Home:" "I know words can't change the world, but they can have an impact on life / Through some words that someone else wrote I found hope / And hope is all we have." Perhaps not the most poetic lyric, but it's one that I can really relate to.
There are some unfortunate nu metal moments peppered throughout the album. "Long Walk Home" is particularly embarrassing; if it had a few more drummers and some DJ scratches it could be a Slipknot song, complete with clean singing. Prior to this I was glad that the band kept their clean vocals separate from their heavier material, but the entire song is bad. The disc comes to a close with "The Slaughter Begins," a track which would have fit right in on Redemption. It begins as a piano ballad before being accompanied by acoustic guitars and symbols. Kucsulain has an adequate voice and fans of Evanescence will enjoy such a track, but those looking for something heavy are sure to turn the album off early.
Although the genre is over saturated, those looking for a sufficient metalcore disc will not be disappointed by The American Dream. With it Walls of Jericho will have fans piling on, circle pitting, moshing, and banging their heads all in a matter of minutes. Most importantly, it takes the bad taste left by the previous EP out of your mouth.
Bury Your Dead, It Dies Today, Stick to Your Guns, Diecast, Lamb of God
myspace.com/wallsofjericho (http://myspace.com/wallsofjericho)