Aiden - Rain in Hell
Record Label: Victory Records
Release Date: October 31, 2006
It's difficult to not judge a book by its cover when the judgment is accurate. Aiden are often criticized for looking just like an AFI cover band, but truth be told, they sound exactly like one too. They get lumped in with From First To Last, My Chemical Romance, and the like. You know the look and the sound: black shirts, tight pants, eyeliner, jet-black hair, and post-hardcore music with a dark/gothic influence. Much of the MySpace generation eats it up, though many shun it. Whatever the case, the music is what really matters.
Hokey image aside, Aiden's full length debut, 2004's Our Gangs Dark Oath, was a promising post-hardcore bout. It managed to be catchy while still maintaining some heaviness. Despite its many imperfections, Hot Topic kids ate it up. Shortly after its release, the band was picked up by Victory Records, who released the disappointing Nightmare Anatomy in 2005. Much to many people's dismay, the band dropped much of the screaming and heavy parts. It still had some catchiness and fun gang vocals, but the edge seemed to be gone.
They appropriately released an EP entitled Rain In Hell on Halloween between albums. It begins with "A Candlelight Intro," an introduction of sorts (which seems unnecessary on an EP). An ominous clap of thunder kicks things off, with instrumentation eventually following. The song doesn't get going until right before the minute-and-a-half mark, with a chugging guitar riff and chants of "whoa-oh" present in the background behind vocalist wiL Francis. It's a relatively short song, lasting a little over two minutes, but it sets the mood.
"The Suffering" starts of with grim gang vocal chants of "Burn your friends." Jake Davison’s drumming drives the upbeat verses, and the chorus sounds ridiculously close to something off of AFI's Sing the Sorrow. "We Sleep Forever" once again has drum-driven verses, but the tempo is slower this time around, though it still sounds like AFI. The ever-present, cliche-ridden lyrics are still abundant. Take, for example, the lame first line of the chorus: "Hey, call the angels / This razor blade was meant for me." Either of these two tracks could have fit right in on Nightmare Anatomy.
The band's cover of Billy Idol's classic "White Wedding," is straight-forward and similar to the original, but it gets a bit boring at times. Francis just doesn't have Idol's signature snarling voice. Their rendition of Misfits' "Die, Die My Darling," which originally appeared on Kerrang's High Voltage compilation, makes up for the missteps taken in the former track. The opening made me think that the song was going to be a disappointing tribute to one of my favorite bands, but it soon explodes into a fine cover. Closing the disc is "Silent Eyes," an acoustic number written about the passing of Bayside drummer John "Beatz" Holohan. It's reminiscent of Alkaline Trio's slower material, which is an acceptable change, but it lacks the band's energy.
Although it's only about 20-minutes long, Rain In Hell is a must for any dedicated follower of the band looking for more material. It's nothing more than a Halloween treat for fans, so don't expect it to gain any new ones. Haters will certainly continue to hate, and with good reason. The music is still generic and the lyrics are still embarrassing, but those who enjoy that sound should like this as well.
I like how you sprinkled in your opinion while still keeping credibility and not totally ragging on the band...even though they really suck. ha. good review
I disagree with the comparison to Escape the fate.
I semi-enjoyed their full length, and it wasn't always the tight pants 'cry-my-eyes-out' lyrics with them. There was some power behind it. From First To Last isn't anything like this now that Sonny Moore is gone. They're pretty damn upbeat with everything they play now.
But Good Review anyway. I hated this album, this band in general now.
i actually love this band they are amazing but thats probably because its what i play i do music somewhat similar to aiden and afi but thats where i get inspiration its a good review i enjoy your honesty but i still believe you are wrong
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