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Review Summary: This album is fast and brutal, invoking elements from thrash, metal, hardcore and somehow making it all catchy. It suffers from a little bit of repetition, but that flaw is overshadowed by the superb musicianship of these British youngsters. Bring Me The Horizon is one of those bands that you're either going to love or hate. You're going to think they're amazingly talented, or that a baby could play an instrument better. I've not really heard many opinions on this band that say something to the effect of "Oh...they're OK. Not bad." So, I suppose I'm going to have to fit myself into a category.
Personally, I think BMTH takes a lot of *** for the way they dress and the way they look. In a scene that is way too concerned about looks, the fact that their looks resemble much more "un-metal" bands like Escape The Fate or Silverstein is enough to turn off a lot of listeners. Couple that with the fact that they have lyrics like "Oh, if you need me/I'll be tying a rope to the tree/Where our love used to be" and most hardcore kids are going to be running the other direction.
However, when you actually listen to Count Your Blessings, you'll realize one thing: Damn, these kids can shred.
From the opening track "Pray For Plagues," (one of the strongest songs on the album) it is clear that BMTH are anything but emo. Vocalist Oliver Sykes ranges from high-pitched black metal wails to the classic death-metal cookie monster growls. The guitars are brutal, distorted, and have the kind of fast-paced thrashery that cites influences from Swedish melodic death metal meistros In Flames and At The Gates. From there, on through the rest of the album, Bring Me The Horizon stays pretty true to form. Each track is seemingly more heavy than the last, with at least one breakdown in every song. The guitars stay fast, the drumming stays tight, and the vocals stay harsh. There isn't an ounce of singing anywhere on this record--something that should definitely separate out BMTH from many of their metalcore peers.
In my opinion, some of the strongest tracks on the album are "Pray For Plagues," "Tell Slater Not To Wash His Dick," "For Stevie Wonder's Eyes Only" and "Off The Heezay." With the song titles and some of the random interludes they have (such as the vocal "dun dun dun" in the background on "Off The Heezay") it is clear that Bring Me The Horizon don't take themselves too seriously. They don't sing about raping girls or going on pillaging or summoning Satan. Most of them are barely out of their knickers, and they're singing about what they know. Girls and partying. Even in "Pray For Plagues," which contains a few lyrical snippets that seem to allude to the Biblical plagues brought upon Egypt, there are still some parts about--you guessed it--girls. The lyrical content may be a little cliche, but it is overshadowed by the sheer brutality and presentation that Bring Me The Horizon has.
However, this album is not without its faults. For all of the breakdowns, heavy riffs, and technical guitar flourishes, this album suffers from a big lack of originality. It is hard for even the most seasoned metal/hardcore listener to differentiate between the tracks. Also, many times the breakdowns seem to be placed in odd areas, and seem to be somewhat pointless, with virtually no lead-in whatsoever. The album is also extremely short. With ten tracks, two instrumentals and a couple songs under the three-minute mark, Count Your Blessings seems to end far too quickly.
All in all, this is an album that will appeal to a wide range of listeners, and it is easy to see why Bring Me The Horizon have gained all the popularity that they have. Granted, some of said popularity may be due to the "hotness" of the lead singer, but that shouldn't take away from the massive amount of potential that this band has. It's unclear whether or not the generic deathcore formula is going to allow for any longevity out of this band, but for now, they've succeeded with a strong debut.
other reviews of this album |
LilPeep (4) Bring Me The Horizon's debut does nothing unique, but some semi-intricate riffs and a conf...
DirtBagDan (2) An album that starts off with a lot of potential but whittles it away with every passing m...
DragonHeartstring (4) Count Your Blessings stands out among most deathcore as being considerably better written,...
FearOfTheDuck (1.5) Pray for plagues, indeed....
Monticello (2) ...
AntennaofVertebrae (4) One Of the best england hardcore acts out today this disc shows the best of whats to come...
Zipzop5565 (1) If you’re incredibly sick after a night of binge drinking, and need to regurgitate the t...
xAnthx (4.5) Bring Me The Horizon has released an aggression-filled and technical album that is simply ...
chiggles (2.5) Boring and repetitive, yet filled with energy. Can Oli Syke's steal the show enough to mak...
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Album Rating: 1.5
I dont know what to think of this review. You seem to over praise these guys when there's nothing to praise about. Retarded song titles, faggish image, and contributing nothing new to the already overcrowded metalcore scene. Bland, generic and full of breakdowns, hardly worth a 4.Band sucks, and Id rather have a band sing about satan or viking imagery then this shit.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
I like this review. However, I'm in that ""Oh...they're OK. Not bad" group that you said doesn't exist.
These guys are alright.
| | | Album Rating: 2.0
For once I agree with Balls.
Review's way better than mine, but I'll be rewriting that soon enough.
| | | It is not a matter of whether one person thinks they are talented or not. They just are, or aren't. I don't think people can personal opinions and tastes on whether or not music is talented or technical.
| | | Album Rating: 1.5
this album is so good. i get mad horny with all their intense breakdowns and clever song names
| | | Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off
[quote=BallsToTheWall]I dont know what to think of this review. You seem to over praise these guys when there's nothing to praise about. Retarded song titles, faggish image, and contributing nothing new to the already overcrowded metalcore scene. Bland, generic and full of breakdowns, hardly worth a 4.Band sucks, and Id rather have a band sing about satan or viking imagery then this ****.[/quote]
You sir are a jackass. Song titles have nothing to do with musical quality. Image has nothing to do with musical quality. And most importantly, THIS ISN'T A METALCORE ALBUM, listen to the Black Dahlia Murder, listen to Light This City, listen to ANY FUCKING MELODIC DEATH METAL BAND, then listen to some metalcore, compare/contrast.
In my opinion, Bring Me The Horizon is very generic, but very talented. Oli Sykes is a hell of a vocalist.
| | | Album Rating: 1.5
My words speak more than your arrogance and utmost stupidity. Dark Tranquillity's The Gallery, In Flames, The Jester Race, Colony and Whoracle, Amon Amarth's With Oden On Our Side Insomnium, that is Melo death. You consider Light This City and Black Dahlia melo death? You are pathetic.This Message Edited On 10.31.07
| | | Josh D. continues his quest to comment in every metalcore review ever made.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off
Correction continues to not know what metalcore is.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off
Josh D., what am I wrong about? BMTH being melodic death?
If you say they're metalcore, I will shit all over your face.
| | | i am the robots continues to show off his lack of knowledge.This Message Edited On 10.31.07
| | | What are they then?
They're metalcore.
| | | It's as bland as it gets.
| | | [quote=i am the robots]what am I wrong about? BMTH being melodic death?[/quote]
I will say this again, just as I have on the forums: Your metal IQ is astounding.
The album blows and the band is blah in a blah genre (and no, that genre isn't melodeath). Get over it.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off
Could you guys make a list of metalcore bands so I can laugh at how fucking stupid you all are?
Seriously, melodic death + breakdowns is still melodic death.
| | | Seriously, stop. My thighs are hurting with laughter.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off
Yes, laughter comes from the thighs too...
| | | That's how hard you're making me laugh.
| | | I've never actually heard these guys, but Mappy knows the distinction between hardcore, metalcore and the like. I want to see someone other than him list some hardcore bands, then some metalcore bands.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off
[quote=Josh D.]This is about as close to metalcore you can get before calling it such.[/quote]
No, it really isn't. Listen to Skycamefalling, listen to Converge, listen to Botch, listen to Shai Hulud, etc. the similarities are so limited it's absurd.
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