Converge have become one of my favourite bands over the past couple of monthes. A friend recommended them when talking about the much debated 'Metalcore' scene and since then I have never looked back. The band's release
You Fail Me is regarded as a superb album by some and a letdown by others. In all honesty, the band have definitely evolved since their previous three albums and whether it is a good change or a bad change is a matter of opinion. But in the end it is still
Converge and they are immense throughout this album.
The album opens with something a little different. Whilst
Jane Doe chucked you headfirst into the deranged mayhem with
Concubine,
First Light is a suprisingly gentle and atmospheric instrumental. Before it has barely begun, you are thrust into
Last Light, one of the most impressive and unique songs the band have ever done. Jacob Bannon's vocal attack is less of a manic shriek and more of an emotional cry as he reels off his lyrics. Lyrically, this song is full of emotion; and for once you do not need to refer to the sleeve notes to find out what is going on.
Black Cloud is more like the band's previous material and is another standout listen. Ben Koller's drumming is rapid and brutal as well as being highly technical. The guitars sound incredibly heavy and whilst Bannon is not spitting undecipherable lyrics out at the rate found on previous releases, his vocals are hard hitting and incredibly intense. The chorus features the band yelling 'Black cloud til' the end' repeatedly over the structured mess of instruments in the background.
Only three songs in and the album has gripped the listener like a pair of hands round the throat.
Up until the title track, the album continues to punish the listener with the band's mix of hardcore punk, metal and pure insanity.
Drop Out features an incredible guitar riff at the end which showcases Kurt Ballou's talent and versatility.
Hope Street is like a swift set of punches to the face; unrelentless and over before the listener has any idea of what is happening. Yet the album takes a different turn with
You Fail Me. Whilst a song this length and of this mood would probably be incredibly boring on any other album, here it fits in perfectly. The song itself is a huge wall of sludge; bass, guitar and drums combine and simply pound away at the listener. Bannon is at the forefront of this assault with his shrieks and screams. By the band's terms, the song is an epic.
In Her Shadow follows and is a moment of relief. Calm yet ominous at the same time, it allows you to recover before probably the album's highlight.
Eagles Become Vultures is definitely the best song on the album. Heck, personally I think it is up there with
The Saddest Day. The intro drum fill is sublime and sends you straight into a song full of energetic riffs, insane drumming and scathing vocals. The breakdown is simply fantastic, as dissonant chords ring out while Bannon spits 'our eagles become our vultures'. Whilst the intensity of the album is still present in the following three tracks,
Eagles Become Vultures is never matched.
You Fail Me isn't your typical album. It takes quite a while to grow on you until you begin to forget that the band are not trying to make another
Jane Doe or another
Petitioning The Empty Sky. The album itself is very short (just over half an hour) but I think this length is just right for an album like this. To be perfectly honest, there are not that many flaws within the album. The songwriting, production, intensity and brilliance of
You Fail Me is superb throughout. Some songs are obviously weaker than others but when listened to as a whole, the album suddenly becomes that little bit more exceptional. Many fans stated this was the band's low point. I for one think this is simply an evolved
Converge - a band that is more mature than previously but still capable of unleashing flashes of pure genius on you. If you like heavy, intense music you should be a fan of this band. If you like heavy, intense music with that little bit extra, purchase
You Fail Me.
Recommended Tracks
Last Light
Black Cloud
Drop Out
Eagles Become Vultures
