Review Summary: Jimmy Ryan presents a strong frontman approach accompanied by tight and interesting musicians thrashing around him.
When it comes to Metalcore, there are a plethora of setbacks that restrict me from immediately falling for a band. A few of those setbacks are juvenile lyrics, repetitiveness or overall mediocrity. Since the genre has an overabundance of bands it’s pretty much a hit or a miss. You’ll either be surprised at what the band has to offer, or instantly turned off by the lack of innovation. The band in focus finds the correct path to take and finds a special place inside the metalcore world.
Haste the Day, the band out of Indianapolis Indiana, finds itself relating to bands like
As I Lay Dying, and
Darkest Hour. Releasing an EP back in 2001 titled
That They May Know You, the band saw instant satisfaction, and fan success. The original Line-up consisted-
Jimmy Ryan – Lead Vocals
Brennan Chaulk - Guitar, vocals
Jason Barnes - Guitar
Mike Murphy - Bass, vocals
Devin Chaulk - Drums, background vocals
The line-up would later change with Stephan Keetch replacing Jimmy Ryan at frontman duties. Despite that modern fact, Ryan displayed a brilliant assault at frontman vocals. Throughout the cd, his tone stays solid and true, yet never really changes range. As the fact would usually turn off potential fans, it works quite well with the musical style the band put together as a whole. His tempo keeps up almost perfectly with the fast paced guitar riffs and drum patterns. The lyrical content is what you’d expect from a metalcore band, depicting relationships, and emotional attachments to life in general. During songs on the album, Ryan’s vocals were brilliantly backed by Brennan Chaulk who focused on clean and tight vocals to carry melody through the riffing.
Guitars stay quite constant throughout the album, yet they seem to always feel fresh. The cd is filled with breakdowns that become a little repetitive yet don’t warm the welcome out too much. No rhythm or lead guitar is apparent, for the two guitarists usually stay with the same melody. Although, breakdowns take place of the all mighty solo, you’ll fail to conclude the feeling of something missing, for the verses of each song are filled with melody, and dance like riffage. Unlike other metalcore records, the bass plays a significant roll in
Burning Bridges. Each song you’ll hear the bass strumming away in the background and it actually sounds good! Although, it’s quite apparent throughout the entirety of the album, it still seems to follow guitars, and keep them louder.
Drums are the one hold back I find apparent throughout the record. Each song holds the same patterns, and same fill. Although for that one setback Devin Chaulk does a fantastic job with keeping the time of screaming and guitarists Brennan Chaulk, and Jason Barnes. By the time you reach the fifth song the drums become stale, yet they present a good environment for the fellow musicians.
Haste The Day failed to do a few things right, but succeeded at making a solid and good debut. As far as Metalcore being hit or miss, this album definitely hits the target. Jimmy Ryan presents a strong frontman approach accompanied by tight and interesting musicians thrashing around him.
Haste The Day has a found a special place in the metalcore world.
