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Converge
No Heroes


4.5
superb

Review

by Cesc USER (6 Reviews)
July 12th, 2007 | 22 replies


Release Date: 2006 | Tracklist


There's not a whole lot left to be said about a band who've been knocking around as long as Converge - even if the thought fills you with dread, you can't help but admire them for effectively living in a beat-up van since the mid-‘90s and still finding the time between playing sweaty, dank clubs in the armpits of various countries to put out album after album of lo-fi, thrashy hardcore gold.

Anticipation for 'No Heroes' has been higher than Whitney Houston on a bad day, and happily it more than lives up to expectations. 2004's 'You Fail Me' was met with a curious reception by long-term fans and 'da kidzzz' listening to Converge for the very first time - it seemed a step back from the glory of the seminal 'Jane Doe' and the overall consensus was that perhaps the band was losing its way and maybe it was time to call it a day.

If you were one of those to voice the aforementioned opinion, you can be thankful that Converge didn't care one iota for what you had to say and instead kept plugging away. The album opens in ever chaotic fashion, stunning the listener into near-submission with a punchy salvo of destructive yet brief tracks before launching headlong into the epic centerpiece of 'Grim Heart/Black Rose' midway through and firing out of it the same way it went in, kicking and screaming. Vocalist Jake Bannon is on better form than ever, giving his pipes a thorough workout with some oddly pleasing clean vocals at times whilst guitarist-turned-uber-producer Kurt Ballou fires out a mixture of shredding and atmospheric riffs backed by a raucous, but ever impressive, rhythm section.

If there's any faults it's perhaps the occasional bit of repetition near the end which brings the momentum grinding to a halt, but that shouldn't detract from the fact that 'No Heroes' is absolutely astonishing - a free-wheeling experimental head rush that recalls all the highlights of the band's career and kicks a massive dent in the pride of any up-and-coming wannabes hoping to steal their crown.



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user ratings (2472)
3.7
great
other reviews of this album
1 of
  • Confessed2005 (4.5)
    Vicious where it needs to be and highly diverse, No Heroes has cemented itself as a great ...

    br3ad_man (4)
    Converge's sixth album is typically fantastic, featuring all of their trademarks while sti...

    south_of_heaven 11 (2)
    Aggressive and over the top, "No Heroes" is an emotion-packed trip, but it ultimately fail...

    pixiesfanyo (4.5)
    If you don't like Converge, I hope you're OK with holding your wedding in New Hampshire...

  • vladislavK (4.5)
    The End is rarely happy. And the hero here is the only one - the death that puts an end to...



Comments:Add a Comment 
Wizard
July 13th 2007


20508 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

This band never cut it for me. Still, another short and sweet review.

Kronzo
July 13th 2007


1303 Comments


I think the vocals are kind of overkill at times, but overall the album is pretty solid

south_of_heaven 11
July 13th 2007


5611 Comments

Album Rating: 1.5

Still can't get into these guys.

Apocalyptic Raids
July 13th 2007


810 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

nice review, but a little more length would be nice.

i am the robots
July 13th 2007


1027 Comments


great album, also, kiddies who gave it 1.5's, judging by your avatars, converge isn't really your style, so such ratings are really unfair.

i am the robots
July 13th 2007


1027 Comments


lol nevermind, south of heaven actually gave it a good review

kalkal50
July 13th 2007


2386 Comments


good review This Message Edited On 07.13.07

Confessed2005
July 13th 2007


5561 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Awesome, concise review.



Converge are definitely a very rewarding band once you get into them. You did a great job on this, keep writing .

Wizard
July 13th 2007


20508 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

i am the robots,

Its not that they arent my style, its just that they sound really aweful.

Its good that there are a few 1.5's that stick out in a crowd of 4's and 5's. Tells people that you will either love this album or hate it. And I have justified my ratings in past Converge boards. Everyones opinion on the matter is still respected by me.



Fort23
July 13th 2007


3774 Comments


I dont see how they sound realy awful. They have rhythm and dynamcis, and Jacob Bannon is an incredible lyricist aand screamer. The guitars are great, the rhythm section is crazy, its just not your style.This Message Edited On 07.13.07

Confessed2005
July 13th 2007


5561 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Face it wizard.



It just isn't your style.

Fort23
July 13th 2007


3774 Comments


Realy good, short review as well. Love the first paragraph. Keep it coming.

Fort23
July 13th 2007


3774 Comments


(stupid double post...)This Message Edited On 07.13.07

Wizard
July 13th 2007


20508 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Hahahaha Fair enough. I guess I just dont understand Converge! But seriously, Ive listened to this album about 5 or 6 times because it was so highly recommended.

Confessed2005
July 13th 2007


5561 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Try You Fail Me dude. It's a bit easier to get into.

ThePrimer
July 13th 2007


345 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I can't get into Converge, I've been trying, but I just dont like it :/

cbmartinez
July 13th 2007


2525 Comments


two words: Jane Doe

Wizard
July 14th 2007


20508 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Confessed2005,

Ive tired that album and its not bad. But I still dislike this band. I will give it another listen since it has been probably 2 years since Ive listened to it though.



cbmartinez,

That I havent heard. I will listen to that one for sure.

cbmartinez
July 14th 2007


2525 Comments


It's their best. It's truly a masterpiece of metalcore.

kalkal50
July 14th 2007


2386 Comments


i dont like this type of music there is so much screaming and its just nooiseee (sarcasm)



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