A little while back, I was getting into metalcore real seriously. My friend pointed out a band called As I Lay Dying and I got into them. I ended up buying this album (Shadows are Security) and I decided to do a review on it.
1. Meaning in Tragedy (3.5/5)
This song starts off with a pretty basic metal riff with power chords being played over it. It then progresses into a small lead break played over it before the singing kicks in. Tim’s vocals are pretty average on this song and similar to this whole album. There are a few good break-downs and a great ending.
2. Confined (5/5)
The first single of this album, Confined starts with a drum roll sort of thing on the snare and then kicks into the guitar playing a palm muted riff of open low c string. A riff starts and then introduces the singing. Tim’s singing is strong and the lyrics are about how everything is meaningless. The chorus is sung by Clint and is clean vocals. The stand out in this song is definitely the chorus.
3. Losing Sight (4/5)
Losing Sight is a typical AILD song with strong metalcore riffs and singing. This has no real stand outs apart from the riffs which are always good by this band. Phil and Nick do a good performance on guitar here and Jordan’s drums are spectacular as always.
4. The Darkest Nights (5/5)
As another single, The Darkest Nights is a good song and isn’t as heavy as AILD’s other stuff. The start riff is perfect for 2-step dancing and the verse riffs are awesome. Tim pounds your ears with his growling and Clint does good clean vocals in the chorus’s. A good song to get even if you don’t particularly like this band.
5. Empty Hearts (3/5)
This song is a song usually skipped on my cd player. It is a bit two dark for me even though I usually like that sort of stuff. Its riffs are a bit uneven and too chunky but the stand out is the guitar solo. I think it’s Phil who does it but whoever it is, they shred the **** out of that guitar!
6. Reflection (4/5)
The main riff at the start is good with fast alternate picking and heavy power chords played over. The verse is good but I find Tim’s vocals a bit too growley (if that’s a word). My favourite part would have to be the breakdown which comes at about the 1:50 mark.
7. Repeating Yesterday (4.5/5)
One of AILD’s only slow songs, the other being Behind Me Lies Another Fallen Soldier off of Frail Words Collapse. It starts with a slow riff without distortion and talking by what sounds like a computer voice (Steven Hawking type). Then it kicks in with heavy power chords and octaves played while Tim screams. A great song.
8. Through Struggle (5/5)
The other single which happens to be my favourite track. It starts with open chords played with a great drum riff. Then it kicks into a metalcore riff before speeding up into the verse. After a break-down, it kicks off into the chorus which is again sung by Clint with clean vocals except this time Tim is screaming with him. After another verse, a chorus and a verse, the ending break-down starts which would have to be the most powerful riff I’ve ever heard. This is my favourite part and it includes a great pinch harmonic.
9. The Truth Of My Perception (5/5)
The Truth of my Perception starts with a metalcore riff (again!) and then the double bass kick kicks in. The chorus played with octaves in excellent and brings a lot of emotion to the song. The stand out of this song, though, would have to be the guitar solo which isn’t as technical as the one in Empty Hearts but it fits the song better and again, continues the emotion. This is the second best song on the album.
10. Control Is Dead (3.5/5)
This song would be better if it didn’t include Dan from Zao’s growls. It ruins the song. The riffs are strong as are the lyrics and Tim does his part but whoever thought to put Dan on this track should, honestly, be flogged senseless.
11. Morning Waits (4/5)
As you might have noticed, I love emotional song and this one has excellent emotional riffs. The best being the fourth one which contains a pinch harmonic. The only let down is that it’s a bit repetitive and no real stand outs.
12. Illusions (3/5)
Matt of Throwdown’s singing is usually ok by me but I don’t think it suits this style of music. This song reminds me of Empty Hearts in the way the riffs are played. The start is very annoying because it’s just a few minutes of static. This song I don’t think should’ve ended the album because it doesn’t finish off the other great tracks.
Overall, I manage to give this a 5/5 because the good songs just overpower the not so good ones. I recommend this to any metalcore fans who like very heavy metal singing.
