Crown the Empire
The Resistance: Rise of the Runaways

Release Date: 2014 | Tracklist

Alright guys, its time for me to be a little honest. I didn't like "The Fallout" very much. Why?You may ask. Well that's an open-ended question, for example, being a huge fan of the post-apocalyptic genre, I wasn't blown away by the concept's "right from a teenaged girls diary" approach, to the lyrical writing. The songs themselves felt pretty bland, and failed to ever shake me up enough to feel like I wasn't listening to a Rise Records band. Plus, the album artwork looked a little too similar to one of Green Days, not-so-crowning achievements. So I was going into this "sequel", with some pretty low expectations. So, was my intuition right?

Skipping over the first track, as it is one of those short, atmospheric throwaway songs, we get opener/first single "Initiation". A very safe way to start things off, as the track continues off of what "The Fallout" made common practice. Now, don't let the first track fool you, this album is much more than just a rehash of their last. "Millennia" has the band taking things softer, giving clean vocalist Leo a little time to shine. With his notably improved range, and the aid of some surprisingly flavorful guitar lines, its a nice deviation from the bands typical sound. The soulless, smothered feel of "Machines", with an emulsion of screams, electronic effects, and good ole guitars, makes a suffocating wall of sound that helps to bring a certain dreariness to the track, that feels intended. What is truly remarkable, is the track "Mnster", proving to be the heaviest song on the record. What makes this remarkable though, is that it is accomplished with more than just "Brutal" guitar work, but with a focus on the overall feel of the song as a whole. It feels weighted, yet avoids becoming mundane. After "Mnster", should have came "Maniacal Me" as its more traditional metal opening could have kept the energy built up so much better, but thats just my two cents. Crown The Empire have begun to understand the proper ways to build up atmosphere. No longer writing generic "Metalcore", with a couple of circus effects, or stale electronics thrown on top, in a vain attempt in giving a song more depth. It also is pleasant to say, that they've abandoned the obnoxious, sugary choruses found on songs like "Makeshift Chemistry", paired with the abusively heavy sound these bands are often known for. Now, choruses soar! Without being focused on how effectively they'll get stuck in your head.

Now, it isn't all fun and games here, as a few tracks do knock this album off its stride. "Second Thoughts" doesn't really accomplish anything, other than the pre-chorus being kind of soothing (for about 3 seconds). Its placement after "Mnster" is a little disjointing, and interferes with the albums flow. "Phoenix Reborn" felt like it was only written, to bring hype for the closing track, but it isn't anything worse than average. "Bloodlines" is defiantly the worst song on the record (not including interludes). I'm wondering if CTE, had to legally write this song for the record, because it is the most typical sounding Rise song on this album. Hello! The opening lyric is "Rise". I don't know, it just has that run of the mill "Metalcore" sound, with gang vocals in the chorus, and all that cheese wiz. My biggest gripe, is probably with the closing track "Johnny's Rebellion", because I was excited for this one. The only songs I've liked from past CTE releases, were the last two Johnny songs; and in their case, less was always more. This song clocks at almost 7 minutes in length, fit with a bunch of voice overs, effects, piano, and random other ***. The actual "song" part, is quite nice, but it feels smothered in too much filler. Also the refrain that ends the song, sounds way too much like MCR's "Mama" in my opinion. I literally found myself humming "through fortune and fame we fall". I did think it was cool however, that they included lyrics from the older songs, for fans sake.

I'll only take a little time to get into the lyrics/concept. The story isn't so important, as the lyrics feel like the typical sort of fodder that these bands write for their fans. Lots of stuff about being lost, getting through things, standing up for yourself, never backing down, etc. The interludes are pretty filler, well except the third one "Satellites", which is a full song, and a nice one at that. The lyrics can be alright at times, regardless of subject matter, but its still hard to get right on board. Not focusing on the story, will probably do you more justice than anything else, as the song themselves tell a much more colorful story, regardless off what the vocalist is actually saying.

Crown The Empire have earned my respect, and attention. Easily shedding the translucent, snake skin of their last record, to build upon a more unique sound. Its not abstract, you'll recognize the heights they're reaching for, but its the growth that is important. Yes, the band is being held back, mostly by their fanbase and the typical "scene" crowd, but for a second full length release, they've shown they have more than just potential. I welcome the bands third LP with open arms, and whatever new chapter awaits the future.

Recommended Tracks: Machines, Mnster, Maniacal Me, Millennia (whatever starts with an M lol), Satellites.

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3.3 great

Rank: #0 for 2014