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Review Summary: This cake is not a lie Arsonists Get All the Girls have gotten a lot of hate over the years even though with each and every release they’ve stepped up their game. On “Hits from the Bow” they seemed completely devoid of direction and just randomly jumbled some noises together which on occasion worked (“Scobra vs. Cupcakes”). “The Game of Life” however tightened down with an attempt at actual song structure while improving on the electronic and jazz influences as well and have successfully found a place for keys in deathcore (though the band came off to many as a “heavier” version of Horse the Band), but many still criticized them for their non-sense song titles, and immature sense of humor (but look who’s talking). Upon the hardships that came along with recording process, “Portals” is completely different then it’s predecessors in almost everyway imaginable.
One of the most notable changes is that there are no more dual-vocals Remi’s annoying screeching & Cameron’s laughable growl. Jared is a more capable vocalist that both as he screams, yells, and growls with the highest of the subgenre.Another shift in music has shifted from hardcore inspired metal (and random noises) to an almost groove metal approach with Horse the Band-esque keys littered throughout. Instead of the keys being a desperate cry for attention they actually manage to improve and make some songs insanely catchy, and the guitarists actually manage to show off some skill and throw down the occasional solo. Now a lot bands in the past have had an overhaul in sound that goes for the worst (Slipknot, Bury Your Dead, Throwdown) just to name a few), but Arsonists manage to benefit from the one thing they’ve been too stubborn to add before…structure.
The first actual track “42nd Ego” shows the band’s capability with synth-heavy keys and brutal breakdowns you’d be hard pressed to find many bands capable of pulling off such a strange, but entertaining mixture. “My Cup’s Half Empty” further shows off the aforementioned groove metal influence as you’d expect the opening riff to be found on a Chimera album, but the ever present impressive use of keys keeps it from being a cookie-cutter deathcore song. “Skiff for the Suits” & “Violence in Fluid-Triceratops” are the highlights of this album because of the insanely catchy use of the keys, especially the latter (in which the guitar riffage especially helps). “Saturine” which the opening sounds similar to Lamb of God, has to be one of the weakest tracks in my opinion as it doesn’t sound as nearly interesting or entertaining as the others. “Portals” is one of the longest songs the band has ever done (clocking in about 7 and half minutes), and surprisingly doesn’t fail to keep me going throughout. “To Playact in Static” is perhaps the strangest song on the album with it’s western-themed instrumental piece that would make iwrestledabearonce feel jealous.
Arsonists Get All the Girls has always been that guilty pleasure for me, but on this album I no longer feel guilty. All the problems have been corrected in a wise decision in musical direction. There are still problems and ways to improve to be sure, but this is a definite step in the right direction. Check it out if you’re a fan of deathcore, if your not, then you will probably still be put off by the use of breakdowns. Otherwise, if you like deathcore and looking for something new and different then your average Suffokate or Despised Icon then I’d highly recommend AGATG’s Portals. Also, Shawn's mother is mexican, and they fucked someone's brother.
Reccomended Tracks-
42nd Ego
Skiffs for Suits
Violence in Fluid-Triceratops
Portals
To Playact in Static
Songs to Skip-
Saturine
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Album Rating: 4.0
Eh, I needed a break from Taproot
Constructive criticism always welcome (sound like a broken mp3, but whatever)
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
good album, good review, pos.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Keyboards are so awesome in this album
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Un-shitty deathcore? Yes plz.
Seen this band like 5 times live, since my friends love the breakdown-heavy deathcore stuff. They're pretty fun. pos'd.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Solid album, could be better. Still really fun
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I need to at least listen to this once still
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Its not bad. Especially compared to their peers and their previous efforts.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
The keyboards easily make this one of the best deathcore releases ever
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they get girls
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
all of 'em dryden
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
most likely because they are arsonists
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
you know that ending segment of the 42nd ego?
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Good review, just mentioning:
Check it out if you’re a fan of deathcore, if your not, then you will probably still be put off by the use of breakdowns. Otherwise, if you like deathcore and looking for something new and different then your average Suffokate or Despised Icon then I’d highly recommend AGATG’s Portals. Also, Shawn's mother is mexican, and they ****ed someone's brother.
The first sentence of your conclusion is a little akward ...
You might want to change your wording a little, to something like
"While some may still be put off by Arsonists' use of breakdowns, metal and deathcore fans looking for something new and different will be rewarded."
I also feel like another user would probably want a more in-depth description of the instrumentation
You'd probably be well off just adding a paragraph or tying it into your comparisons.
Cheers
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I wasn't a fan of their earlier works, but your review has inspired me to give them another chance with this album.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
This is a tough band to describe sound-wise, as "deathcore with keys" is probably the easiest way to sum it all up, but I hear where you're coming from.
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Nah, a lot of deathcore bands use keys, and most of them suck. They're just better at it than most.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Kick ass keys, catchy gutiar riffs and breakdowns... and good growls.
Some of the songs I don't care for.
I anxiously await their next CD.
Seems like they can only get better.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Really? They must've sucked cause this is only deathcore band that uses keys that I know of.
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My area is filled with dime-a-dozen deathcore bands, and I'd say about 30% of the ones I've seem used keys, but this band seems like their player actually knows how to play a little bit, instead of relying on the keyboard effects to make it sound good anyway.
Only a little though, since the keyboard is still doing way more work on this record than the keyboardist. I mean just listen to HORSE the band. THAT is a keyboardist.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Yeah my area is filled with deathcore bands by the dozen, but they're "metal" to get a keyboard player, could be a good thing though.
Most would try too hard to copy either Arsonists/Horse/or iwrestledabearonce.
Plus if I could pos' you for comments, you'd get at least 3 snips.
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