 | Tracklist:
1. Son of the Morning
2. The New Breed
3. In All Honesty
4. Breathing Blood
5. Reveries of Flight
6. World Without A Sun
7. The Fire Dawn
8. A Banquet for Traitors
9. Commissioned by Kings
10. The Finisher
Release Date: 2009 | |
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On 41 Lists
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| Summary: "I'll break off your horns." |
7 of 7 thought this review was well written
One fact is certain regarding those of us who affect the metalcore genre. We are a gluttonous tribe. You see, we, the ones who love Underoath, Converge, Architects, Coalesce etc. consume as much metalcore as we can possibly find. It is an addiction to music that, according to our own standards, can only be sustained by new, so-called “inspired” metalcore. The case of the matter is, however, that our insatiable hunger for metalcore will remain just out of reach, if not entirely dissatisfied. The reason for this is because we expect the nuances that we have come to love to be in the music of those offering new work. Despite that, and in direct contradiction, we expect something “new.” We expect the world of metalcore bands when, in contrast to other genres, the point of the music is to be heavy, direct, and, at times, highly emotional.
Oh, Sleeper have offered their work to those of us with such a debilitating appetency, that their new tunes will either achieve and expound upon the heights of their crippling release “When I Am God,” or they will slip into the pit of “accessible, heavy music.” In my opinion, the band has shown an increase in their ability to write fluid songs, to form interesting guitar-work, and, most importantly, their ability to creatively write lyrics.
It was revealed on the band’s MySpace months before the release of their new album, that the concept of Son of the Morning concerned the final battle between God and Satan. Epic as that concept may be (and perhaps as worn as it is), the concept is not the literal basis for the entire record. Fans fell in love with the band because of lyrics like, “Take my lust, the pornos and the sluts / take my lust, this world’s love” (Vices Like Vipers) and, “I'll awake to new purpose to fight this body / No longer will I play the dark shepherd” (The Charlatan’s Host). These lyrics were deeply personal, and spiritually unifying, and Oh, Sleeper have yet to abandon their modern Christian lyricism. In fact, it is the beginning and ending songs on the record that establish the “concept,” but that is where it respectively ends. The real meat of the record, the personable, meaningful verses, lie in the eight tracks between the aforementioned conceptual songs.
Interestingly, the band made the decision to put conceptual “quotes” throughout the record. For instance, on “Reveries of Flight,” Micah roars after a soft intro, “You keep denying my lead! Because I’ve tried, I’ve never pulled back my reach and I’ve stayed and I’ve died but you keep looking for me where I’m not / I won’t be just where you want me to be / You’ve got to believe and just trust that I can be everything” as if to be God speaking. Similar quotes, or rather responses to whatever character Micah has assumed himself, are speckled throughout the record. Disheartening as they are, they make sense on a record that tries to be both relevant to a Christian struggle and to the so-called concept.
The track “World Without a Sun” begins with Micah’s hellacious screaming and, truly, is an amazing, poignant track. The song bemoans those who accept the “Son” and assaults the idea that those wicked and with power will find escape. The song begs for a massive mosh pit - an angelic stomp. It is always interesting to see a band quote their previous work, and I trust fans of Oh, Sleeper will enjoy the fan service supplied in “A Banquet for Traitors.” The background chorus, soft, unsheathes Micah’s howls. The track is exhaustive and pummeling and singlehandedly refutes any claims that “Son of the Morning” is somehow lacking in quality.
August Burns Red released a fantastic record this year, and no one has forgotten “OX.” However, “Son of the Morning” should avert the attention of the metalcore tribe to itself, and garner Oh, Sleeper the respect that the band is merited. Transcendent and otherworldly genuinely describe this album. The final track assumes the position of God in Heaven, and denounces Satan’s initial “threatening” speech on the first song. Without a boring note or misplaced breakdown, “Son of the Morning” captures a classic idea - that evil is to succumb to righteousness - and it does so with enthralling screams “from the armories.”
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 2 | Sound Off
Solid review, a bit awkward at times, but definitely good. As I said, you should review more often. Seriously.
And I will remain tight-lipped on my thoughts when it comes to this record.
| | | Album Rating: 3 | Sound Off
i did not see this coming.
great review.
Digging: The Weeknd - House of Balloons Digging: The Weeknd - House of Balloons | | | Album Rating: 3.5
Awesome review, I'm definitely digging the album.
| | | Album Rating: 3 | Sound Off
ummm i think i must point out, actually
Digging: August Burns Red - Constellations
it appears thats what you're diggin'.
lmao no no i kid...
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Zing! You got me! Lol..
I'm 'liking' this album, though Constellations kills this.
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i'd take satan over gawd any day. just saying
| | | Album Rating: 3
Oops, meant accept, not reject. Ficksed.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Superb review. I agree, this album is special.
Digging: Uneven Structure - Februus | | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
nice review. nice album.
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Great review. Rekindled my hope that this might actually be good.
I still need to listen to it.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
The breakdowns are insane.
| | | Album Rating: 2
From your profile pic I can tell you are uber christian, and can therefore tell that this is a biased score.....bbuuuuuttt you did a really nice job with the review so I will surely be checking this out.......now
Digging: Suis La Lune - Riala | | | Album Rating: 3 | Sound Off
^you are absolutely retarded.
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Very nicely reviewed.
Digging: Jeremy Soule - Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Soundtrack Digging: Jeremy Soule - Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Soundtrack
| | | Album Rating: 3
It's Micah's voice. He's a banshee.
| | | Album Rating: 3
I saw these guys live last monday. I was not expecting it, but holy shit they ruled.
Digging: La Dispute - Somewhere at the Bottom of the River... | | | Album Rating: 4
World Without A Sun is EPIC.
Digging: Burial - Kindred | | | Album Rating: 4
^ sure is. its "i'll CUT off your horns" dumbass
Digging: Solterra - Soul, Earth, Sun Digging: Solterra - Soul, Earth, Sun | | | Album Rating: 3
booooo
| | | Album Rating: 3
Oh, Sleeper have offered their work to those of us with such a debilitating appetency, that their new tunes will either achieve and expound upon the heights of their crippling release “When I Am God,” or they will slip into the pit of “accessible, heavy music.”
Odd sentence imo, but pretty good otherwise. Great album, I need to bump the rating a tad.
Breathing Blood and World Without a Sun are my favorites.
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