Review Summary: Destroy the Runner ditches their generic metalcore sound for a more interesting (but still mediocre) hard rock/metal formula. 'I, Lucifer' is a welcome and interesting change, but it’s still fairly stale.
With each new album that a band makes, there’s the question of progression. Hopefully, said artist will make changes in their sound that make the music more interesting, while still retaining enough of their core sound so, if nothing else, previous fans aren’t completely alienated. Hopefully, the musicians will also get better at playing their instruments, such that the music is even more interesting to listen to.
Destroy the Runner’s previous effort got them little attention, and for good reason. It sounded quite a lot like any other metalcore band (people pointed to As I Lay Dying, even if only because vocalist Tim Lambesis managed DTR). That’s why
I, Lucifer sounds fairly fresh. It sees Destroy the Runner trading in their metalcore tag for a more interesting (albeit still mediocre) hard rock sound – while still retaining the metallic guitars and hardcore influence they had before.
The largest change comes in the form of new vocalist Chad Ackerman. Album opener “Crumbs For the Murder” showcases his vocal talents immediately – awesome screams and strong singing. However, this song is also quite misleading – it would have fit in perfectly on their previous album, as it follows the screamed verse and sung chorus formula of before. While Ackerman does scream in several of the songs, it’s usually behind sung parts. Basically, he’s harmonizing with himself, and some of the best moments of
I, Lucifer are when this happens.
While the rest of the band hasn’t necessarily progressed, they are likewise more interesting to listen to. In their metalcore genre, the guitarists would be unremarkable, but as far as hard rock goes they’re a little above average. Several of the riffs/leads on the album are fairly technical and interesting to listen to, but like the album as a whole they’re fairly repetitive. The rhythm section, likewise, is nothing to get worked up about. The drums are quite interesting at points (perhaps most notably throughout “Crumbs For the Murder”), but once again they’re pretty standard. (As for the bass, well, it’s pretty hard to hear through about 90% of the album, so this poor bassist isn’t really able to contribute very much)
While the new sound is a welcome change, it’s not all that unique or interesting either. With such a strong emphasis on melody, they feel a lot like another hard rock band – one with metallic guitars and a vocalist who screams often. It’s for this reason that Destroy the Runner still aren’t that great. The musicianship and execution aren’t
that outstanding, and hold down the formula for what could have been an excellent album.
I, Lucifer feels a bit like a comedic actor (say, Jim Carrey or Robin Williams early in their career) trying out a serious dramatic role for the first time, and not quite succeeding at it. While they are “going out on their own”, the music here does not resonate in the realms of originality or timelessness very loudly.
Seeing bands change from album to album is often interesting, especially when said band breaks out of a stale genre to “make their own way”. While the direction that Destroy the Runner is heading looks bright, they’re still stuck in the mud, trying to walk but weighed down by mediocrity.
I, Lucifer sounds fresh when considering the band’s history and much of modern metal, however it is simultaneously stale and boring. Here’s hoping that this same level of progression carries through to their next album, but for now Destroy the Runner have yet to release anything truly worthwhile.
Recommended tracks:
Crumbs for the Murder
I, Lucifer
On Falling Leaf
