Review Summary: GO Mediocre Post-Hardcore GO!
No Bragging Rights - Illuminator
Record Label: Black Heart Group
Release Date: January 11, 2010
No Bragging Rights have been releasing great Metal-core material since 2005. Over their now 6 -year career they have constantly pushed their sound in new directions.From their twitchy beginnings to the pounding drums of their last release, they have never stayed in one place for too long (wich is a good thing). That changing formula has always been a part of this band’s appeal, and it had never hurt their Music in terms of quality – until now. Illuminator continues No Bragging Right’s push for new ideas, but this time the eend result might be a little bit hard for fans to accept.
The album cracks open with the choke-holder “Beautiful and Spineless”, as a finger-pointing reminder to those who have engaged in scene mud-dragging missions. As thunderous rounds of blare and beastly drumbeats prepare to cake and bury smoke screen scene misfits by declaring to “keep this music that we love from scum like you, to show the world what working hard can do” the same smoke backfires with a sort of Uncle Buck je ne sai quoi in the faces of the assailant riffs and rumble. Seemingly strained and trodden screams are feathered with syrupy vocals that detour the rhythm and flow generating the song, with completely run-of-the-mill lyrics.
The nearly famous names of the ambient genre are all well-known for their amazing vocals, styles and heavy nuances that make their albums the interesting pieces that they are, and this album is missing that. Instead of creating any kind of real ambience, atmosphere or for the fact good lyrics at all, Illuminator feels like exactly what it is, a collection of heavy noises and screaming vocals over pounding drummbeats without any real soul or presence. If you are an long lasting fan of the genre or band you undoubtfully have a great time but if you’re like me, then Illuminator sits you in a dimly lit room with a TV that shows a three hour special on paint drying.
Final Verdict: If you’re a fan of the genre/band you will be pleased. But if you’re new i’d suggest something else. In all the album isn’t bad but if you compare this with The Consequence of Dreams it have stepped down a notch or two…P.S Cheesecake
