We Came As Romans – Understanding What We’ve Grown To Be
Record Label: Equal Vision Records
Release Date: September 13, 2011
Within the past few years, We Came As Romans have really found their place within the heavy sing-scream-breakdown crowd. Not unlike bands such as Blessthefall, Of Mice & Men, and I See Stars, the Romans haven’t changed up their formulas much from record to record – sticking to their prevalent synth, auto-tuned clean vocals, and gut wrenching screams. Still, it works well for them, as Understanding What We’ve Grown To Be is undoubtedly an enjoyable record for the genre – despite being rather unoriginal.
Although their sophomore attempt isn’t too much different than their debut record, We Came As Romans seem to have refined their sound more this time around, with Kyle Pavone’s clean vocals really shining throughout the record (“Everything As Planned”), mixing well with David Stephen’s chaotic screams. Understanding carries the same optimism found on To Plant A Seed, being a record of growth and moving forward through hardships.
The musicianship also excels more this time around than on the former record, as the dominating “Cast The First Stone” – which may feature the best screams on the record – and the balanced “A War Inside” prove through and through. So sure, there’s not much original here, but what does surface may be the best record in this genre when compared to other peers, such as the flat Awakening and forgettable The Flood.
Already forming quite a solid foundation and fan base for themselves along with a nice home on Equal Vision Records, We Came As Romans seem to have no plans of stopping anytime soon, putting their best foot forward with Understanding What We’ve Grown To Be. The result of this endeavor is an enjoyable record, at that, with memorable vocal and musical performances, optimistic ideology, and progression – and in the end, that’s a start, isn’t it?
You say record to record as though they have put out multiple records. This is their second. Didn't fit to me. Good review, atrocious album, though i enjoyed their debut. Also, their clean singer is the worst live.
I was going to buy then and I'm glad I listened to it on Rdio first, it is weak for a Metalcore album in 2011. There's a lot of phenomenal bands coming up and making it big now that are blowing stuff like this away
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