Review Summary: Although some songs could be considered generically composed, the majority of the album is complex and mature compared even to Whitechapel's sophmore release This is Exile.
Lately the 'deathcore' genre has been plagued by generic bands and utter mediocrity. There just seems to be less and less bands bringing something, anything, new to the table. HOWEVER, from their first release "The Somatic Defilement", Whitechapel has lead the deathcore movement from a mere subgenre to the forefront of modern music.
I must admit, when I first picked ANEOC up, I figured there was no way possible that it could live up to the straight excellence of 2007's "This is Exile". Alas, I was proven completely and undeniably WRONG.
The first track on the record, entitled 'Devolver', begins with Whitechapel's oh-so-familiar three guitar barrage. (Which, for harcore fans, marks the beginning of another perfect record.) This steadily leads into a brutal mixture of Phil Bozeman's signature growls and musical complexity not yet seen from these Tennesee metallers.
The brutality continues through the next two tracks, passing through the first single off the album "The Darkest Day of Man", in which singer Phil Bozeman foretells the immediate destruction of mankind as we know it. Yes, we've seen these concepts before, but it still hits hard with apocalyptic lyrics.
On track 4 "Reprogrammed To Hate", the band truely shows a diverse blend of jazzy soloing and riffage, brought even further by the contibution of the Deftone's own Chino Moreno. This 'melting pot' of styles, ranging from the music to the vocals, provides for an interesting listen.
The next three tracks, although still undeniably awesome songs, are more or less filler. Each track has its own crowning moment. "End of Flesh" shows heavy influence musically from Black Metal. The better part of "Unnerving" is basically a long and chugging breakdown, and "A Future Corrupt" is reminiscent of something that would've been on the last record, which, while seemingly recycled, is oddly refreshing.
Now comes the masterpiece of the record. "Murder Sermon" is not only musically, but vocally the heaviest song on the album, and it shows from the first chord, the first utterance of Phil's blaspheming voice, and the first pound of the double-kick. Yes, this may be the most generically composed song on ANEOC, but what it lacks in songwriting capability, the boys make up for in complete and utter brutality. The track also features Vincent of The Acacia Strain on guest vocals, which introduces a mindblowing chorus (or so we should think it's the chorus).
The last two tracks: "Necromechanical" and "Single File to Dehumanization" are both exquisite acts of musical capability, showcasing each member of the band's individual talent on their respective instruments. There is some sampling done on "Single File to Dehumanization", but it contributes well to the feel of the track.
Overall, Whitechapel branched out into a thicker, denser musical range for ANEOC; lyrically even, we saw less religious and "hack-em-up" influences, and were introduced to a more realistic, slightly personal theory on the world's condition and how it will continue worsening until man is nothing but a toy for a greater power. This album really reflects the level of maturity Whitechapel has acheived since their breakthrough, and hopefully we'll see more of THIS.
