Wade H. Rice III | Alexandria, VA USA | 10/08/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I think this release is fairly good, as far as just the music goes I give it a 4/5. What gives it the five stars is that the band almost wanted to get the kids who listened to I Am Holloywood for "The Seduction" and "I Am Hollywood" to stop listening. I think they have accomplished that by going in a completely different direction. The heavy southern rock is wonderful. It's not quite as good as I Am Hollywood, but almost there. Still worth buying. I love bands that dont care what the fans of their old cd will think about the new one, all they care about is the fans who stick around. This album creates that division. Well done He Is Legend, well done."
Heavy as hell!
C. Taylor | Rockland county NY | 10/13/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The band's 3rd release finds them delving really low, and pulling it off flawlessly! On their last release 'I am Hollywood', the band felt like they didn't know what they were doing in a fancy expensive studio and that it was "over produced", but yet managed to put out an amazing themed album with great rock songs with metal accents. These guys push themselves further proving the fantastic musicians they are. The vocals are out of control and in a good way, not as harsh as the last record, it's a lot more easier and clearer to understand the words. The Guitars and Bass are tuned low as HELL and this is probably the best production I have ever heard with guitars at this tuning, they are very full, no, scratch that, they are HUGE! Some of my favorites are "Attack of the dungeon witch", "Mushroom river", and the album's beautiful closer "(((louds". You honestly can't go wrong here, it's a great record and I definetly think this is one of the 10 best to come out this year. I'm giving this a 4.5."
The Legend Is Back!
Joey | Washington, DC | 10/03/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After hearing He Is Legend's first LP, "I Am Hollywood," I knew they were on to something special. They mixed metal, screaming, impassioned vocals, and straight up rock, with some of the most imaginative riffs i had heard in a while. Vocalist Schuylar Croom's voice had no hint of the whiney-ness of many "screamo" acts out there. I obvoiusly was looking very forward to the release of "Suck Out The Poison" - and it was worth the wait. He Is Legend have grown as songwriters and delivered an unrelentingly heavy CD.
The CD begins with a bang with Dixie Wolf, and one of the most marked changes is that Schuylar has chosen to sing in a more raspy, somewhat whiskey-soaked voice. It works really well with the gritty riffs and blast-beat drums. The song sounds pretty standard until the chorus ends and Schuylar screams out "REST IN PIECES!!!" - it's one of those parts that you have to rewind because it is that awesome.
The CD continues with the near 80s hair-metal sound of the last minute of Attack Of The Dungeon Witch, the nightmarish sounding China White II, the southern rock riff that opens Electronic Throat, the melodic Pot Bellied Goddess, and the epic 8 minunte closer which is the epitomy of He Is Legend, with dirty riffs, erie lyrics, and vocals that range from crooning to throat-shredding.
The North Carolina boys have made an album that is not only creative as hell, but will make you want to drive fast and break everything in sight. Get ready to have a sore neck, because you'll be head-banging like crazy to this one."
More like 4 and a half
The Hidden Genius | PA | 10/04/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"He is Legend is a great band. We all found this out after the release of there debut "I Am Hollywood." With their original style of not really having a style, they were a hit with a lot of people. check out I Am Hollywood for more info on it.
Now, two years after the release of their first cd, He is Legend has struck back with "Suck Out the Poison." One of the things that people will notice right away is that Schuylar Croom(lead singer for those unaware) is that he seems to sing with a more raspy, dirty singing voice, as opposed to the clean, almost pop sounding on I Am Hollywood. This could instantly turn off some people. I found it to be great, his new voice is perfect in my opinion. Another thing is that Schuylar seems to use his screams a lot more, which is another plus. Now to the songs:
1. Dixie Wolf(The Seduction Of...) 8/10 - This is a good opening track. The opening is something that you would hear on I Am Hollywood. The lyrics are good. When Schuylar screams "REST IN PIECES!" I get goosebumps. This song also contains a line that fans of the first album will recognize (YOU KNOW YOU WANT IT!!)
2. Attack of the Dungeon Witch 8/10 - Southern Rock at it's finest. This is a straight up rock song by He is Legend.
3. Suck Out the Poison 10/10 - My Favorite on the album. The intro is fantastic. I love the way the vocals are set up with the music. When Schuylar screams "Suck it Out! Suck it Out! Suck Out The POISON!!!" I get goosebumps...again. Definalty one to check out for their "change" in style.
4. Mushroom River 9/10 - For some reason, everyone either loves this song or hates this song. This was the first song i heard off the cd, and I loved it right away. The riffs are heavy, the vocals are great. "The trees are alive. They held their arms up high and with a whisper they sighed your name against the wind." This is definatly something you wouldn't have heard on the first album.
5. Opening N/A - As the name suggests, this is just a minute long instrumental. Not worth rating, however it is pretty good.
6. China White II 8/10 - As opposed to the original China White, this one is much heavier, with more screaming.
7. Serpent Sickness 9/10 - One of the heavier songs on the album. Schuylar shows us how low he can go with his voice in a reference to the three little pigs. "Little Pig, Little Pig. let me out! These are the things I can't live without...Little Pig Litte Pig, go away! Not 'til I've said what I have to say." Definatly a highlight of the album.
8. Electronic Throat 7/10 - This song is good, but nothing compared to the rest of the album.
9. Stampede 10/10 - I love this song. The pace is quicker, and the guitar work is incredible. The lyrics shoot out at you right away. "We have been moving, to cuts and bruises. I'll sing a song for you, run faster or you'll loose it." Incredible song. Would be a favorite on any other album, but unfortunitly Suck Out the Poison is on this album.
10. The Widow of Magnolia 8/10 - This song is good. It isn't really repititve as some of the other songs which is a plus. Good vocals on this track as well.
11. The Pot Bellied Goddess 5/10 - To me, this is the low point of the album(not including the instrumentals). This song was too forgetable. Nothing really special about it. I just didn't like it.
12. Cannonball Hands(The Tomato Parade) N/A - Another instrumental.
13. Goldies Torn Locks 8/10 - Some good screams in this song. Good guitars. Good Drums. Good Everything.
14. (((louds 7/10 - Yes that is how you spell this last song. This is an epic 9 minute closer. While it is a very good song, I lose interest in it about 5 minutes into it. I'm not usually a fan of very long songs however. Some will love it, some will hate it, and the rest will just think it is ok...like me.
Overall, this album is definatly different then I Am Hollywood. For some, the vocals may take some time to get used to. The music is incredible on this album. It is heavier, darker, and to me better then the first album. Fans of He is Legend should definatly pick this up, but I think that fans of rock looking for something new should also pick this up. This album will be a favorite of mine for a while."
It Rules HARD
James | OK | 10/04/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I had to write this little review because the guy below me doesn't know what he's talking about and I don't want anyone to get the impression that this album is "terrible," because it really is awesome. Yes, he has changed his voice, and it sounds like all he has done for the past year is smoke cigarettes and drink whiskey, but it grows on you. At first I wasn't sure if I liked his now raspy voice (which seems to me would be the major complaint from most people), but after listening to the album all the way through, I began to really like it (and I'm not sure if he's going to keep his voice that way or if they just decided to change their sound for an album and then are going to do another makeover for their next one, which would be pretty cool). Suck Out The Poison is clearly a Southern concept album and excells in that respect. There are loud, dirty guitar riffs and Croom's gravelly voice mixed with a noticably darker mood (just read the lyrics, which seem kind of Poe-ish to me). Its serious and fun at the same time. Listen to the whole album and you'll probably find yourself liking it more and more, just as I did.
So Give it a chance, because Suck Out The Poison rules."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1
