Review Summary: Rebels? Maybe not, but Disciple might as well stay around.
On one hand, Disciple could be considered consistent. Excluding
Vultures EP,
Horseshoes & Handgrenades, and
Southern Hospitality, most of their discog (counting
Disciple,
Scars Remain,
Attack, and
O God Save Us All) is ranked (at least by me) nearly identical. The self-titled and OGSUA both received a 3, while SR and
Attack are 3.5s. The above exceptions are exceptions for two reasons: SH is one of the worst modern rock albums I have ever heard in my life amd a major letdown for the group, while the EP and H&H stand out the most out of all of their work. Though both are only a 4, they are the only Disciple projects that I feel would convert new fans and forged new ground for the band. With
Long Live The Rebels coming out a year after the Vultures project, I had massively high hopes for the record. While an album like SR is enjoyable in its own right, I wanted the band to really push themselves again and hopefully release another album like 2010’s H&H.
Oddly enough, we have the same personnel performing here as we did both on the previous EP and the
Attack record. Considering Disciple’s past penchant for lineup changes (currently the only original member is vocalist Kevin Young), I feel that Kevin is finally happen with his new band of musicians and feels they can all cohese. Speaking of Kevin, he sounds the exact same as he has for years. This isn’t necessarily bad though, as he has a great singing voice and a ferocious scream. As I’ve stated in past reviews, he doesn’t forge new ground and is weaker than many contemporaries, but he emotes well and is always very passionate. Guitar-wise, we find more of the heavier riff-centered approach used on past efforts. The riffs are nowhere near bad and oftentimes varied (the main riff for “First Love” shifts from single notes to palm-muting to slides from note to note to pinch harmonics), but you have probably heard them before and if you’re not an alternative metal fan, they don’t have too much for you. The lead guitarist also does largely what is expected: shifting from shimmering octave leads, harmonizing occasionally with the synth, and occasionally delivering a tasteful, short solo. Drums and bass are just as past Disciple record: they do occasionally stand out, but for the most part, they just blend in.
In a way, the beginning of the record is slightly jarring, similar to how they started off H&H. Rather than start the album with the thrashing, riff-centric rocker in the title track, listeners are introduced to the album through the melodic, synth-filled rock track “First Love”. By itself, it isn’t a bad song and is an emotional 5-minute journey through the recesses of any disciple’s (pardon the pun) tortured soul, but as an opener, it will take a little while to get used to and is sure to grow on the listener. Following “Long Live The Rebels” is the Blue Stahli-esque synth-rock track “Secret Weapon”, which successfully blends Tool-esque Drop C riff with climaxing verses, underlying synth influences, and an absolutely explosive chorus that finds Kevin adapting his own version of RED’s Michael Barnes in the heavier moments. As on past releases, you can definitely see the influence of bands like Pillar, RED, and Blue Stahli upon the band’s new sound, but they do make the sound their own and this isn’t a detractor. “Erase” is a mid-tempo rocker that starts with a climaxing, semi-technical guitar riff filled build up, then to a beautiful lead guitar riff, and then a rhythmic verse and explosive chorus reminiscient of RED’s “Faceless” and Thousand Foot Krutch’s “The Art of Breaking”. The tone of the song is hopeful and soaring, like an encouraging war anthem that beats any of the “empowerment” crap that’s on modern pop radio stations today. “Underdog Fight Song” is a “Battle Lines”-esque, in-your-face, punk-influenced rocker that grabs the listener by the throat and just doesn’t let go. The riffs are full and powerful, the drumming actually imprints upon your mind, the hook is glaringly catchy, and Kevin just tears it up. Oh, and the bridge is absolutely brilliant. “Spinning” is a late-album mid-tempo rocker that involves brilliant lyrics, emotive vocals, a mix of clean and dirty guitar, and a fitting solo. It’s very similar, both stylistically and lyrically, to Scars Remain’s “Love Hate”. The stomp-clap power ballad “Empty Grave” ends the record on a high note, replete with beautiful string orchestrations, shimmering acoustic guitar, emotive piano and vocals, and heart-wrenching lyrics.
For a minute, let’s examine
Horseshoes and Handgrenades closer. Out of twelve tracks, ten were absolutely solid. On
Attack, 6 were solid. Here, seven take the cake. The other five are comprised of boring rockers and predictable ballads. This is an issue that has always plagued Disciple: they cannot seem to just trim the fat. Lyrically, this entire record is brutally honest. Yes, it’s intended moreso for Christians, but one cannot deny the raw emotional sphere, ranging from deeply rejected to overjoyed, throughout the album and the mostly well-captured battle between darkness and light. It isn’t quite to the quality of the darker and heavier
Vultures,but it does manage to occasionally grab the listener’s attention and have them singing (or screaming) along.
If I had it in my power, this would have a 3.7. It feels more matured than an album like SR, but it just doesn’t grab me as much as the EP or the 2010 project. The standouts are good, but the album as a whole is a bit of a letdown. I hope that Disciple can fully settle into the new identity as bandmates and really knock it out of the park next time.
