My Eyes Fall Victim - My Eyes Fall Victim
Record Label: Self-released
Release Date: April 2, 2009
Generally, when I am about to hear the debut release from a new metalcore band, I'm less than excited. Past experience has told me that after putting in the CD, I will be greeted by generic breakdowns, non stop screaming, and extremely repetitive guitar arrangements. But every now and then there are some bands that manage to pleasantly surprise me, such as the self-proclaimed lovechild of Parkway Drive and As Cities Burn, My Eyes Fall Victim.
On the band's self-titled EP, the aggressive vocals and heavy guitars take a backseat to a more passive, melodic brand of metalcore, featuring acoustic instrumentals and heavy synth/piano. Even in the heaviest of moments, lead vocalist Mike King doesn't feel the need to bellow into the microphone; instead, he sings in a more restrained (yet emotional) voice. The breakdowns and screamed vocals are sprinkled throughout the entire album, but often times the best parts of the songs are not the metalcore moments, but the softer, more ballad-like parts. "This Picture Is Only Worth 999 Words" features layered vocals and driving guitars for the entire first half of the song, but what really makes this song great is the slow-paced outro. King cries out on top of beautiful chorus chants, after a great acoustic break.
Most of the EP is like that: a good song made great by one shining moment toward the end. The closing track, "Smooth Seas Make for Poor Sailors" is the best example of this, as it's ending is the best part of an already great song, where King's melodic whispers of "Be still/And know who you are" break into an inspiring outro to close out the album. You'll also have to wait until the end of "Given The Choice Between You and a Seasick Crocodile, I'd Choose the Seasick Crocodile" to hear the piano breakdown, but the song is enjoyable while you wait.
Ultimately, it is the softer, slower moments on the EP that give it the personality and spark that it has, while the heavier moments will keep the metalheads satisfied. My Eyes Fall Victim are a truly talented band, able to combine metal, hardcore and alternative music effectively to create a unique brand of metalcore bound to please fans of both post-hardcore and soft alternative rock.
This was a great review, but upon listening to the actual music I'd say that I'd rather read the review than hear the songs. The growling is terrible and the production isn't good either. Maybe they'll do better on their second release.
This was a great review, but upon listening to the actual music I'd say that I'd rather read the review than hear the songs. The growling is terrible and the production isn't good either. Maybe they'll do better on their second release.
I think you're out of your element, man. I didn't see a single band listed on your page that does anything close to a low growl, so maybe growling is just not your thing. I'm not trying to be a dick, I'm just saying that people reading this review shouldn't take your word for it. Being someone who does listen to a lot of low growling and does appreciate it, I think My Eyes Fall Victim does it very well. You are right about the production quality though. It leaves much to be desired. But for the first release from a young and independent band doing it all on their own, I think it's just fine. It's not terrible by any means, just not studio quality, which is fine considering they probably didn't record in a real studio.
This was a great review, but upon listening to the actual music I'd say that I'd rather read the review than hear the songs. The growling is terrible and the production isn't good either. Maybe they'll do better on their second release.
This coming from someone with an Armor For Sleep avatar. As the person said above me, there really isn't a single hardcore band listed on your page so maybe you aren't one to judge. Personally, I completely agree with the review; these guys have the potential to go far.
This was a great review, but upon listening to the actual music I'd say that I'd rather read the review than hear the songs. The growling is terrible and the production isn't good either. Maybe they'll do better on their second release.
I think you're out of your element, man. I didn't see a single band listed on your page that does anything close to a low growl, so maybe growling is just not your thing. I'm not trying to be a dick, I'm just saying that people reading this review shouldn't take your word for it. Being someone who does listen to a lot of low growling and does appreciate it, I think My Eyes Fall Victim does it very well. You are right about the production quality though. It leaves much to be desired. But for the first release from a young and independent band doing it all on their own, I think it's just fine. It's not terrible by any means, just not studio quality, which is fine considering they probably didn't record in a real studio.
This coming from someone with an Armor For Sleep avatar. As the person said above me, there really isn't a single hardcore band listed on your page so maybe you aren't one to judge. Personally, I completely agree with the review; these guys have the potential to go far.
You're both right, I don't listen to hardcore and I don't normally like growls, so I am not the best person to rate this album objectively. However, to me, the growling on this record is unappealing. It is my opinion and I am entitled to it.
You're both right, I don't listen to hardcore and I don't normally like growls, so I am not the best person to rate this album objectively. However, to me, the growling on this record is unappealing. It is my opinion and I am entitled to it.
I'm not questioning your right to your opinion or anything, I just wanted people reading your post to understand the growls were unappealing to someone who's not into that sort of thing, and that they were appealing to someone who does appreciate low growls. Just making sure that no fans of hardcore counted MEFV out based on your post, though your statement will probably ring true with those not as into hardcore. Make sense? Totally not trying to start anything. Sorry for any offense.
I'm not questioning your right to your opinion or anything, I just wanted people reading your post to understand the growls were unappealing to someone who's not into that sort of thing, and that they were appealing to someone who does appreciate low growls. Just making sure that no fans of hardcore counted MEFV out based on your post, though your statement will probably ring true with those not as into hardcore. Make sense? Totally not trying to start anything. Sorry for any offense.
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