Coalesce
OX


4.5
superb

Review

by Channing Freeman STAFF
May 22nd, 2009 | 138 replies


Release Date: 2009 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Sorry blink-182, this is the comeback of the year.

Ox is Coalesce's first full-length album in ten years, and it rips, and that's basically all you need to know. They've lost nothing over the years, and while it may be misleading to say that they have instead gained a lot, it's not entirely untrue. Coalesce have been pretty highly lauded over the years and with good reason. They've been casually name-dropped in sentences with the likes of bands such as Converge and Botch - bands that are considered to be true pioneers. But even so, it's never really felt like Coalesce have reached the same level of respect that those bands have. That should change with Ox. Ox takes 0:12 and Give Them Rope, She Said and multiplies them by 100. Take the 70s-inspired riffing from Give Them Rope and the chaos of 0:12, and add a myriad of new tricks to keep things interesting, and you've got Ox. Simply put, any other "comeback" albums being released this year should get on their knees right now and suck it.

"Designed To Break A Man" is designed to break a man, full of bass distortion and mid-paced, powerful drumming, with guitar riffs that channel funk through Coalesce's signature muddy sludge. "In My Wake, For My Own" has a pretty psychedelic guitar intro, wobbly yet still abrasive, and if you think Sean Ingram has lost any of his vocal ability over the years, this song will prove you wrong. Ingram doesn't need distorted production to make him sound intense, but "In My Wake..." shows that it doesn't hurt. And the chain-gang style chanting bridge that leads into a ridiculous outro just might be Ox's best moment. Speaking of which, the best songs are the ones that see Coalesce adding flair to their sound, like "Wild Ox Moan," with its country (!) intro, slide guitar and all. Instrumental "We Have Lost Our Will" is actually quite pretty, with keyboard and xylophone accentuations on top of the acoustic guitar picking. However, it only serves as a brief respite to the madness, as it leads into "Questions To Root Out Fools," with stop-and-go riffs and some of Ingram's most impassioned vocals. "The Comedian In Question" even has some clean vocals, but it's not your typical pussy metalcore singing - it's more of a dirge-like, unsettling moan. The bottom line is that nearly every song features that signature Coalesce sound while adding something new, and because of that, Coalesce have succeeded in every possible way with Ox.

Ox is definitely one of the most impressive releases of the year because Coalesce have managed to add facets to their sound without compromising the respect they've earned over the years. Don't let the album's title mislead you; although oxen are generally seen as unintelligent creatures, Ox is anything but - it houses some of the most well-crafted hardcore in recent memory. And even though oxen are unintelligent, they can still trample you to death. Rest assured, Coalesce haven't lost the power to do that either.



Recent reviews by this author
Taylor Swift FolklorePhoebe Bridgers Punisher
Protest the Hero PalimpsestRun the Jewels RTJ4
Pinegrove MarigoldThe Menzingers Hello Exile
user ratings (408)
3.8
excellent


Comments:Add a Comment 
jrowa001
May 22nd 2009


8752 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

i really want this. i just recently got into the band with their album 0:12 Revolution in Just Listening

BallsToTheWall
May 22nd 2009


51592 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Album rules face.

Digging: Fulci - Tropical Sun

Phantom
May 22nd 2009


9010 Comments


Sexual review. Want to get thiss.

NortherlyNanook
May 22nd 2009


1286 Comments


this album is sick

Athom
Emeritus
May 23rd 2009


17244 Comments


SO FUCKING GOOD

br3ad_man
May 23rd 2009


2126 Comments


I only have Functioning on Impatience but it's good. I'll get this.

spoon_of_grimbo
May 23rd 2009


2241 Comments


been meaning to check these guys out for ages. i actually caught half their set at the fest from stageside, and it was pretty impressive.

damn, this is the first time i've actually had quite a lot of hardcore records on my "need to get" list. this, narrows, and defeater at the top of the list right now. is this actually out yet btw?

JAV
May 23rd 2009


3545 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

I heard a couple songs and they caught my interest. Gonna have to find the rest now.

Chewie
May 23rd 2009


4544 Comments


what comeback are you talking about exactly?

devsol
May 23rd 2009


356 Comments


as in coming back from a break

Tulannical
May 23rd 2009


2051 Comments


decibel rated this album a 10

Chewie
May 23rd 2009


4544 Comments


pfft, 4 years is a break?

devsol
May 23rd 2009


356 Comments


maybe you should read the first sentence of the review

SKUDstorm
May 23rd 2009


136 Comments


killer album

NortherlyNanook
May 23rd 2009


1286 Comments


give them rope, she said is a re-release

now stop being such an annoying midget derekchewie

CkCk
May 23rd 2009


141 Comments


this is something you got here

burnafterbreeding
May 23rd 2009


1529 Comments


Dang, never have I had a comment be deleted. Anywho, this CD owns shit.

south_of_heaven 11
May 23rd 2009


5614 Comments


Want.

EDIT: Got it. Not my style, maybe it will grow on me.

HighandDriving
May 23rd 2009


3288 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Great album, too bad it won't be metalcore album OTY since Burnt By The Sun is releasing an album

soon.

BallsToTheWall
May 23rd 2009


51592 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

What?



You have to be logged in to post a comment. Login | Create a Profile





STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS // CONTACT US

Bands: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


Site Copyright 2005-2023 Sputnikmusic.com
All Album Reviews Displayed With Permission of Authors | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy