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Review Summary: The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The above statement can be applied to both this band and its debut album. That's not to say that any of the individual parts of the group are bad; far from it. The integration of the each member of this band produces a sound that is truly unique within the metalcore genre. Settle the Sky the time of this album was:
Dan Gardner-vocals
JD Merrill-vocals, keyboard
Elliot Gruenberg-lead guitar
Jeremiah Britner-guitar
Michael Michener II-Bass
Samuel Miller-Drums
One of the most memorable aspects of this band is the use of the keyboard. Numerous bands in the genre have a keyboardist, but few employ them in the same way or to the same effect as Settle the Sky. Primarily, the keyboard sound is that of a classical piano, which is an interesting and enjoyable addition to the traditional metalcore sound. Breakdowns, of which there are a fair amount on the album, sound surprisingly good when backed by this piano sound. A piano intro is used in Cheyenne, the album’s opener, and in The Gunslinger to great effect. The keyboard is also used, in both classical and more electronic sounds, to back the other instruments and provide a base for the cleaner sections.
While most guitarists from metalcore bands, as well as guitarists from post hardcore bands, use their guitars to complement the vocals, Reiter and Michener create crunchy tones that envelop each song on the album, allowing their numerous original riffs to shine through. At certain times, they seem to invoke the finer aspects of older death metal bands such as Cannibal corpse with this approach. They use this as a springboard, and the because they are working in the more versatile genre of metalcore, are able to overcome the standard formula of : intro – verse riff – chorus riff – verse – chorus – bridge – solo – chorus - outro riff. Even though, true to metalcore standards, the bass is inaudible for the majority of the album, it is always welcome during the punishing breakdowns, adding a lower tone that makes for a more appealing overall sound.
The drummer utilizes double bass throughout the album, but only where appropriate. Like the guitars, everything he plays fits the music. His drumming is impressive during the harder parts of the album, with his double bass creating a driving tempo. During the slower moments of the album, his cymbal hits and single bass kicks establish a more relaxed pace. The two moments that stick out most to me are the solo near the end of The Relentless and a double bass part in the title track with back and forth changes in speed.
For me, the vocals, along with the keyboard, are the highlights of the album. At the time of this writing, the lead vocalist had left band, leaving the keyboardist the vocal duties on future albums. From listening to the music, I gathered that the lead was responsible for the low growl and some clean vocals, and the keyboardist was responsible for the higher screams and the rest of the cleans (someone please correct me if I am wrong). Both styles of screams are top notch. The low growl is deep and brutal while still being easy to understand. The high screams are also excellent and a great contrast to the low. The variety found in both styles is refreshing and keeps them from falling into repitition. The vocalists shine on every track of the album, especially when they work together.
Up until now the focus of this review has been on the individual performances that make up this band. To only focus on these would be a huge mistake. The songwriting on this album is incredible, especially considering that this is only their first album. Originally, I classified this band as post hardcore, because of the song writing, and the departure from much of the standard metalcore practices. Each and every song feels polished and seems to have a definite purpose. None of the songs drag on, and only the semi filler track, Woe the Unrepentant Cities, feels like it was a little too short. The instrumentation fits together perfectly on this album. Every aspect of this band is in synch at all times and it makes for great music. Breakdowns are not littered around these tracks; they are carefully inserted at perfect moments to produce a greater effect and a more interesting overall sound.
Settle the Sky shows the potential that metalcore has on their debut album. Their songwriting is miles ahead of the many other bands that occupy this genre. They songs are not simply filled with generic breakdowns, but with carefully crafted ones that are utilized at opportune moments. Their vocal duo is one of the best in the genre and provides three distinct styles that are executed to perfection. Backing these vocalists are a well utilized keyboard, crunchy guitars with many original riffs, and a drummer who shows flashes of talent throughout the album. Even if you don’t like metalcore, or are tired of the multitude of generic bands within the genre, I recommend you check this album out. It’s a breath of fresh air within a stale scene and it is an extremely enjoyable listen.
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Album Rating: 4.5
First review. 'Nuff said.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Adding minor piano scales doesnt do much if the band is unoriginal or bland, but this is not the case. Settle the Sky uses the piano as just one of the many intricate layers of music that combine to give the band a great and unique sound.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
I like the review, only thing I have to point out is that the line-up at the time of album you have is wrong
Dan Gardner-vocals (in run into the shadows now, check them out)
JD Merrill-vocals, keyboard
Elliot Gruenberg-lead guitar (in before their eyes now)
Jeremiah Britner-guitar
Michael Michener II-Bass
Samuel Miller-Drums
Ian and Ryan recently joined after elliot and jeremiah departed
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Want!
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Alright, fair enough. I just took it from their myspace when I finished this, which was recently. I'll edit it now. Who was responsible for what vocal wise? I was just doing some deduction based on what was happening at a given time, but production can screw with that.
I like Run into the Shadows, there old vocalist left, right? He was good.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Yep, just helpin ya out.
you were pretty much right with the vocals, Dan does the low growl and also cleans on The Relentless. JD does the high screams and cleans for everything else if I remember right.
Yea, josh brady, he's in another band from the area, Once at War, theyre not bad but he doesn't use his clean voice as much with them.
Dan joined run into the shadows after he left STS. you can hear a track with him singing on their myspace. It's pretty good but it's different
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Is that the one featuring Landon of Before Their Eyes? That kinda sounded like the orignal vocalist, but its the only new song up there.
That sucks they lost Dan, that low growl was just so beastly. JD screams are still pretty good though. And his cleans are defintely above the genre standard. I'm looking at their myspace right now, you know anything about their new vocalist, Maverick Carnegie?
And I appreciate the help, absolutely love this band. Hopefully they continue what they started on this record. I just can't stop listening to it, which is amazing for me because I usually experience a music burnout of a band after about 10 - 15 listens. I'm at 20+ plays on some songs, 42 for Armour Propre I'm pretty sure.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Yea thats the one, they have a second song on the warped tour btob site u can listen to here: http://warped.battleofthebands.com/backstage/artist.php?artist_id=40658
it starts with a tour vid but the second thing on there is the new song
I kno what you mean, i felt the same way. I saw Maverick on his debut show with STS and live he sounded pretty good as far as taking the role goes. He has a pretty powerful scream as well imo. He's in another band called i am phoenix. If u wana hear him recorded they have a rough demo up here http://www.myspace.com/iamphoenixband
I know what you mean, I have known about them for just over a year now and have seen them 20+ times and they always amaze me. The last show I saw they played with the new lineup and played two new songs as well. The new ones sounded a bit different but still really good from what i could tell. I'm reserving judgement til i hear them recorded tho
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I don't see how this band gets anywhere near the bar tdwp has set for christian synth-metalcore.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Wow. I was waiting for someone to mention the Devil Wears Prada. Umm, no. First off, synth-metalcore? That's not really a genre, just a style choice. The synth is not really that big of a deal, just a nice touch. However, this band does it to complement the music, while TDWP just does it for some "epic" feel and so everyone in the tight jeans goes apeshit.
Besides the fact that the vocals of this album are 10 times better, owing to an amazing deep growl, solid high screaming, a good clean sound, and most importantly, not being annoying as hell. Also, this band's sound is more coherent, and the songs actually have definition. Settle the Sky has a better message / christain base (not that I'm real into that), and their song titles aren't rediculous. Barring all that, this is a debut EP, while The Devil Wears Prada are on their 3rd (4th?) effort and this album is at least as good as TDWP's new album. If Settle the Sky improves even a small amount on their first full length, they will already be better than TDWP in that regard, and they are already above the bar that the band sets.
Rant over.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Hey guys, this is JD from Settle The Sky actually with a few words about the review and comments and also the future of this band.
First all, the review was very well written and inspiring to read. The only adjustments i can think of is that I did a lot of the lows as well as highs on the recordings, along with all the clean vocals. Dan did the majority of the lows, mids, and the spoken word in The Relentless.
As for Settle The Sky's future and full-length, we are enduring a lot of line-up changes and therefore a slight change in sound for the future songs. We're currently replacing a drummer and guitarist, and I will be taking over all vocals along with keys. Live, my piano parts will be played as a track or sample so i can focus on vocals, but I will still be writing and recording them all myself. The new stuff is headed into a melodic hardcore/post-hardcore direction without leaving the style from the EP everyone fell in love with behind. The ministry will also be more prevalent and stronger on the upcoming album.
Reasons for these changes are because of going from a local band to a full time touring ministry. This evoked a lot of changes in our members and writing style. But nonetheless, expect quite a bit more time and effort exerted into the writing of a full length CD. We hope to find a drummer or guitarist who can sing/scream so we can keep the dual vocals going on as strong as we have on the first release.
Thank you everyone for the love and support! It means a lot to us! God Bless you guys! We're praying for you!
Expect a full length album sometime early 2010!
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Thanks a lot for that comment. It's cool you enjoyed my review, and I was curious as to what was gonna happen to you guys with all the lineup changes. Love your album, any chance you guys are gonna come to NY, specifically Poughkeepsie, to play a show?
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Synth-metalcore came from a comment you made on tdwp reveiw page if i remember correctly, and TDWP's singer is fantastic. The screaming in the new album can get a bit annoying, but i still prefer him to this screamer. Also the song writing by TDWP is a lot better in my opinion.
How is adding atmosphere to the song (even though incorrect, the keyboards add a lot of melody to the song as well) not complimenting the music?
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
lol did it? I really don't remember. Anyway, synth wise, TDWP seems to just have it for the sake of having it. I do go a bit overboard in that area though, mostly because of how much fans hype it up.
As for the vocals, there's two vocalists who complement each other perfectly. That low growl is just so powerful, there are times where it overpowers the guitars (armour propre). JD, responsible for the cleans and high screams, is great in both respects, easily outclassing the majority of hardcore vocalists. Combined, they were perhaps the best in the genre with great range and sound.This Message Edited On 05.15.09
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Wait, when exactly did i coin synth metalcore? I looked through all the TDWP reviews and was unable to find that particular insance.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
In reference to IndieOut's comment, I think that the vocalists of Settle the Sky (both of them), have more individual talent than Mike Hranica and Jeremy DePoyster of TDWP. Their combined dynamic range easily outclasses the vocals of TDWP, and the keyboard scales actually contribute to the overall sound, rather than simply existing for the sake of being in the "Synth-metalcore" genre.
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dude they commented on your review! Epic!!!!!
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lol i totally ditched this/forgot about it. I guess i remembered wrong on the "synth-metalcore" thing, but i can assure you i am aware that is not a real genre.
As for the content of the argument, it's mostly all subjective. I don't really see how you can say that jeremy depoyster's vocals suck or whatever, your opinion. I don't really remember this ep either. i deleted it, so i'll download it again and try to see where you're coming from better, since it's obvious you have a thorough understand of what tdwp sounds like.
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so far i agree with everything you've said haha. good thing i gave em a second look.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Yea. Well I just found Jeremy whoever's vocals to be kind of offsetting. And there's a new song on their myspace which is fucken killer.
And wow, I'm suprised you'd say I have a good knowledge, because I've only listened to about 2 songs ever. They're not terrible, it's just their fan base pisses me off and I don't like the vocals too much. And there are better bands out there too.
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