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Review Summary: Lifetime Supply of Guilt is not a bad album, but it is a diffident one. Source and Frailty - The Duskfall's first two records - were really good old-school-like melodeath albums reminiscent to At The Gates and older In Flames. The melodies in those albums were strong; the songwriting was simple enough, yet very effective and the band put a lot of effort in those records in general. The Duskfall's third outing titled Lifetime Supply of Guilt was their first album to be released under Nuclear Blast records and maybe because of that The Duskfall changed their usual playing style a little. Or maybe they just wanted to do things just a tad bit differently. Whatever the reason was, Lifetime Supply of Guilt shows The Duskfall taking a little bit different approach - a more thrashy one.
Sadly enough, it should be noted right away that the thrashier style does not suit the bad all that good. The melodies that are such a vital part of The Duskfall's music have mainly been pushed to the background on this album and while they are still there, more thrashy riffs dominate this album. Only (well, at least during the majority of this album) the choruses are still very melodic; guitarwork in the verses is iffy because it seems that The Duskfall doesn't really know anymore if they want to play thrash or melodeath and so the result falls in between those two genres. And sadly, it isn't anything special, since some songs on this album lack identity and are just flat out boring.
A bunch of the songs on this album, like noted before, are boring and lack hooks to keep the listener interested. That doesn't mean this album is bad all the way through though. On the contrary, the good songs are impressive enough to save this album from being a failure. After the disappointing opener duo, the third song "Break the Pact" - the first really good song on this album - demonstrates how to mix thrash and melodeath nicely. A very melodic chorus and thrashy guitars in the verses actually work in this song very well, the only thing missing from it would be a decent solo. And while after "Break The Pact" comes another filler titled "A Stubborn Soul", the album finally really gains ground. Fifth song "Shoot It In", that by the way is the only song The Duskfall have ever shot a video to, is definitely this albums best song and it starts a trio of great songs (after "Shoot It In" come the songs "Going Down Screaming" and "Hours Are Wasted"). The neat melodies are back in these songs, the vocals seem a lot more confident and the band is once again playing the style that suits them - melodic death metal. Strong, addictive choruses and neat verses with some good guitawork are once again in the forefront in those songs.
After the strong trio of songs ("Shoot It In, "Going Down Screaming" and "Hours Are Wasted"), there comes another bland song titled "Sympathy Has Decreased" that demonstrates perfectly what is wrong with this album. Practically none of the songs are bad (if to exclude the embarrasing opener "Truth Is Overrated"), some of them are really good, but what this album suffers from is incertainty. Lack of originality, hooks and identifiable decisiveness are the main problems that hurt this album.
The two last song are both good but nothing special. "Downright Dreadful" luckily doesn't live up to his name and is a good song with some really groovy guitarlines and "Relive Your Fall" is like "The Destroyer" from The Duskfall's previous album Source, it is a nice thrash song, but is not all that fitting as a closer.
Lifetime Supply of Guilt is on the verge of being an unimpressive album but luckily gets away with it. The band seemed to be out of ideas and were possibly more excited about releasing an album under Nuclear Blast than actually creating something impressive. The thrashy parts that The Duskfall uses here much more frequently than on their first two releases don't usually work and the lack of melodies also pulls this album down. This right here is not a bad album, it has got some really good songs on it like "Shoot It In", "Break The Pact" and "Going Down Screaming", but in general it still leaves much to be desired. If you are a fan of The Duskfall then this is still a worthy listen, but if you haven't heard of the band before, you are better off purchasing Frailty or Source by these guys.
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Nice review. I'll avoid.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
thanks man, and yes, this really isn't anything worth looking into. If you like good melodeath (but I remember you stating you have quite had ehough of melodeath so it's your call) then check out their first two albums. Or just look up the good songs from this, especially Shoot It In
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I like good melodeath, but I think my criteria for "good' is changing. I'd like something that is melodeath, but original too.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
well if you like old In Flames and At The Gates then check these guys out, if not then you are better off.
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I like The Jester Race and Colony, but the rest are whatever. At the Gates have never really been as good as most people seem to think ;)
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
I know, I like ATG, but they aren't definitely anythign all that special. Well if you like early IN Flames, then give these guys a go since their first 2 albums are pretty much like this: TJR like melodies, Colony like production(actually even better, if you get a good version) and The Duskfall is also a bit more aggressive then IF.
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I'll check them out, than.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
alright, Frailty should provide a good starting point although i prefer Source as my favourite album by them
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This is probably your best Duskfall review yet. Will pos. Just some tiny mistakes:
Sadly enough, it should be noted right away that the thrashier style does not suit the bad all that good.
Should be band
That doesn't mean this album is bad all the way through though, on the contrary, the good songs are impressive enough to save this album from being a failure.
I would put a full stop before on the contrary instead of a comma.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
alright, I'll change those. and thanks btw. Only one to go, I must say this hasn't really been that much of a challenge hahaha but it is nice to write about these guys.
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demonstrates how to mix thrash and melodeah nicely.
melo-death*
The band seemed to be out of ideas and were possibly more excited about releasing an album under Nuclear Blast than actually creating something impressive.
I feel you raise an excellent point with this line. This goes beyond the context of this album and unfortunately finds away to sprinkle itself around the entire genre. I think alot of bands get hooked in with the whole "Hey, I just got signed to major label so who gives a fuck if I put out a shit album, the label will put so much promotion into it anyways". This seems to be a particular problem with any label that sees a sub-genre as a potential money-maker ie. deathcore, metalcore ie.
and the lack of melodies also hurts this album pretty badly. This right here is not a bad album,
I think I would eliminate the word "badly" and replace the end of the sentence with something like "and the lack of melodies also pulls this album down" or something to that extent. I just find it odd from a grammatical standpoint to use certain words too many times, too close together hahaha if that makes sense.
Other than me being an asshole nit-pick, you're turning into a fantastic reviewer.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
that is a great sentence, I shall use that: and the lack of melodies also pulls this album down", good idea bro :-). Other than me being an asshole nit-pick, you're turning into a fantastic reviewer aww now you made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside hahahahaha
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great review man, the torrent I found didn't work so I'll have to search for something again later tonight but I think I'll avoid this album and listen to tracks from the previous 2 you reviewed.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
smart move
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part 3 of 4.
Hey man, next time it comes around, you want to apply for contributor with me?
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
yes I most defnitely will, I think i am ready for the challenge.
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Same, I am much more confident in my writing ability than I was with the original Zippermouth. It's iffy though cuz a few staffers don't like me.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
well I have been keeping a relatively low profile. NO trolling and I haven't really been an asshole either so I think I'm good regarding that part. Which staffers don't like you, if I may ask?
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Jom once called me an asshole or something like that when he banned my previous account, not to my face or anything so he might have forgot who I am.
I'm pretty sure Mr. Iluvatar doesn't like me cuz I also tell him that his music taste is shit.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
well I haven't got into a face-to-face e-style conversation with neither of them. Basically the only staff member I talk to all the time is Willie. Dunno, much of the others are just indie dudes and i haven't really got anything to talk to them about. I hope that I get the chance to be a contributor since while this site has a great metal audience in general, we seriously need more contributors/staff who concentrate more on metal.
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