If you don't hear the heavy Architects and BMTH influences on some of these riffs then I'd argue YOU'RE not getting the point of the album. Hell, the physical CD has FFO: Architects on the front. It is 100% meant to "go hard' at times, but for emotional impact – not mosh worship.

Though ultimately, the point of the album is to be listened to. If people can justify why they think it's metalcore or metalcore influenced in a way that makes sense and can be backed up with examples, they're not wrong – even if you don't agree. Just as how you can not think it's metalcore and also be right.

Good music writing is about having a good opinion and explaining it well. It's not about the "correct" interpretation of an album. Unless the band come out and clarify certain things, everything is open to considered interpretation.

Album Rating: 2.0 | Sound Off

This vocalist literally tries to imitate sam carter so damn hard, but he can neither scream nor sing as good as him. As a result, he comes off sounding overly dramatic and honestly quite fake.

Album Rating: 2.0 | Sound Off

Also ffs, 'Like a Shadow' sounds like Katy Perry's 'Firework'

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

The biggest reason i have a tough time calling this metalcore is that its like calling say, Wovenwar metalcore despite clearly having less heavier elements to their sound. The vocals aren't quite standard of a metalcore album bc there's nowhere near as much screaming, etc.

Also I can't hear that at all in Like a Shadow lmao.

@pyramid

found the narc

It's true.

I've been undercover for the opinion police THIS ENTIRE TIME.

Album Rating: 3.5

In reference to Agent's argument: the band behind the lead singer really doesn't contribute much, mostly b/c the mixing pushes the vocals up to the front. There's a nice vibe in the background, true, but it's not given adequate space to develop; songs concentrate more on lyrical & vocal aspects to set the mood rather than instrumentation, which tends to be rather uninspired/one-note throughout the record.



For what it's worth, this guy is pretty great and I disagree that he's too over-dramatic, though his delivery can be that way on occasion. The fact is that even experienced singers cannot carry an album on their lonesome, so asking that out of newcomer group is unrealistic in retrospect.

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Almost all of the vocal critiques in this thread are dumb.

It's totally fine not to like his voice but really. "Faux emotionalism?" Lmao. I don't think you get to make the call on whether or not the emotion in his voice is sincere.

No vocalist owns a vocal style. The Sam Carter comparisons were inevitable but taking points away for "trying to imitate" him isn't fair.

"Overly dramatic" is a perfectly valid critique, he's clearly going for a dramatic approach and it won't be for everyone, but "fake?" What does that even mean?

The style clearly isn't for you guys, but if you followed the band at all you'd know that the members are genuinely passionate about what they're doing. Trying to call the emotional approach "fake" is you projecting your cynicism onto the music and frankly it's kind of sad.

/Rant

Album Rating: 2.0 | Sound Off

yikes



i'm sure the dudes are going through a lot and mean every word they write, not trying to discredit that (goes for any band i criticise)



.. but that doesn't mean i should like it.



dude sounds fake because he seems to force as much emotion into every word as possible. this does not seem real to me, because who the hell actually talks/sings like that? every single (insignificant) word is sung which such conviction, it makes me wonder if it might be a tad forced.



also i don't give a shit if they're passionate or not, because that does not automatically make music good.

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

I didn't remotely imply that you should like it or not, or that passion makes it good. I'm simply saying that it's genuine and you seem determined to take that away from it for some reason.

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Even if it is forced, the over-emphasis can be used for an even greater effect I'd argue. That's kind of how "emo" esque music operates, and what I like about it is how they can make the listener feel exactly what they're feeling. Why do I get the feeling you'd also call a song like "Eiley" by Too Close to Touch forced?

"also i don't give a shit if they're passionate or not, because that does not automatically make music good." it doesn't, but it's better than autopilot.

I think the problem i have (and some others may too) at the end of the day is the cringe factor

blaah im sad and so deep blaaah

yawn

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Stuff like this is my bread and butter, so I can't really call it cringe.

Album Rating: 2.0 | Sound Off

yeah like it's quite weird how i don't fuck w this, on paper the idea of shoegaze/post rock-inspired alt rock/post hc sounds incredble. + usually i like sad emo stuff, probably has something to do with the sub-par lyricism here

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

I can't afford to be too picky with lyrics so...can't relate

Album Rating: 3.0

You're cringey enough for all of us Deathbat

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Album still owns

Album Rating: 2.5

This sounds really good in the rain.

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

it doesss yea

This absolutely rules.
Also, the lyrics in the second verse of You Are Everything are some of the best I have heard in years.

It’s been 1000 weeks of grinding my teeth.
The salt of the earth has started tasting bittersweet.
A silver spoon will only choke you in your sleep.
I earned my heart. I’m proud of every beat.
If you hear through the grapevine, that I fell from a great height,
The fire in my heart has lived a lifetime.
So I don’t mind. No, I don’t mind.
I’m still here to make my loved ones proud,
To make everyone who ever walked away, turn around.
From dust, we must return to the ground.
You owe it to yourself, you are eternally bound,
To face the facts and face the truth,
That the hand that you’re dealt is determined by you.
If the breath in your lungs isn’t reason to sing…
Realise you’re enough. You Are Everything.