As I Lay Dying - The Powerless Rise (11 tracks) +Album Reviews

As much as the so-called "true" metalheads may hate it, AILD

Almost Home | undisclosed | 05/11/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Powerless Rise from As I Lay Dying has done what had previously seemed impossible; that is that this CD defines the band once again. With each studio album As I Lay Dying proves themselves to be more than a flash in the pan metal/hardcore crossover but a bonafide metal act bent on making a permanent mark on the scene. Like on the last studio effort, the vocals continue to mature and evolve. The drumming has always been insane. The production value is top notch. With Adam D and Colin Richardson working with you it is hard to not sound amazing. Where I find the most inspiration on this release is in the guitar work. The twin-guitar lineup finally makes use of the abilities of both guitarists. There are leads and solos all over this thing and they sound great. As I Lay Dying has made a statement again, and they continue their march towards the top of the American metal food chain. Forget whatever you may have against this band and give the CD a spin. If that doesn't show you why their shows are so insane and their fans so dedicated, then you don't know what good metal is made of. Five stars and solid contender for metal album of the year. Haters, let me have it."

Feels like a battle between playing it safe and trying too h

spaceglider | puyallup, WA USA | 05/12/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I listened to this album a bunch today and these are some of my observations:

The guitars, although tight and brutal have more of a dryer mix and are lacking in that atmospheric ethereal tone and feel like they are going full throttle but are just missing that heavy groove and hook that they were so good at, i.e. the guitars feeding off each other and having that locking quality. Instead, they've replaced that with more chunky rhythms and relentless pounding, combined with doubling each others parts with that Judas Priest unison octave sound which can be cool but feels a little too mainstream and doesn't complement the overall vibe very well. The songs just aren't quite as memorable or stand out. Also, the guitar solos have more of a generic contemporary feel with longer bending and whammy bar yanking...it sounds like totally different guitarists have joined the band in some parts. The guitars just always seemed so much more lively and inventive in the past.

When the dust settles and people aren't as enamored with it because its brand new they will realize this is probably the most subpar album between shadows, an ocean and Frail worlds. It sounds like they are having a fight with themselves between playing it too safe and trying a little too hard and it just doesn't quite have that flow that the other albums have. There are flashes of their old brilliant self but they are just too far and few between

The vocals are very similar to past affairs except I have noticed one thing that stands out is the tail end of words are very lamb of god like how there is a low howl, a little more growly which im not super fond of but not annoyed with either, just somewhere in the middle. Lambesis is really reaching more for that guttural low and then mixing more high pitched yells which almost boarders on black metal at times. The harmonizing vocals aren't all that bad but sound a tad over produced and a little more fluffy than usual.

All in all not a bad effort, a solid 3 star almost 3.5 but just not quite...the other albums are high solid 5's. The songs on this effort just seem to blend into each other more and aren't as unique and don't stand on their own as much. You feel like its almost there, just out of grasp, but just doesn't quit make it, and something is missing or slightly off.

Most fans that know the material really well will feel that this isnt the album they were hoping for but not terrible....high expectation are placed on highly skilled bands which some might say is unreasonable but like it or not, everyone wants to hear the band make an album as good or better than the last which didn't happen this time and its too bad.

"

Best effort yet

James L. Milano | nc | 05/20/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"one of my favorite bands has released another amazing album but at first i wasn't digging it as much as the previous one's. i just needed to listen to it more. they have progressed just like every album but this one blew me away. everything from the production to the composition to the lyrics this is their best album to date. i do agree it dosent have many memorable songs like darkest nights and never wanted but overall it's a better faster paced album. i really love josh's improvement on this album. he sings more and clearer. they have sacrificed some of the metalcore genre they perfected but compensate with sicker darker insane death metalish. it's a great album and can't wait how they progress on their next one. i think they should combine this with shadows to complete their sound. buy this album you won't regret it. favorite songs are parralls, beyond our suffering, anoydone sea, the plague. i can say that i like this more than my now second favorite album from them an ocean between us."

Powerless? Think Again!!

Jeremy Brackeen | Cameron, WI United States | 07/06/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Three years after their amazing 2007 release "An Ocean Between Us", As I Lay Dying have returned once again with a new monstrous and blistering album that puts the pedal to the metal and doesn't let off the gas for one second. Their new album "The Powerless Rise" is just absolutely amazing and mindblowing in every sense of the word, I just love it. Yeah I know alot of so called true metalheads will dismiss AILD as another "trendy" metal band and that's fine with me, but these guys are getting the respect they deserve, and they sure do deserve every bit of it. I've been a fan of AILD for the past five years since I've first listened to both "Frail Words Collapse" and "Shadows Are Security". They're truly one of the best bands in modern metal today, and they just keep getting better and better with every album they put out, and this new album proves exactly that. "The Powerless Rise" is a blistering, savage, no holds barred metal thrillride of mad, thrashing guitars, relentless drums, and menacing vocals that simply takes no prisoners from start to finish. The production is once again handled by Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz (who also produced AOBU) with some help from Colin Richardson who handles the mixing duties. The lyrics are very strong, positive, and meaningful as well, and I'm very glad that AILD bring alot of positivity and meaning in their lyrics, especially in an age where 90% of what's on mainstream rock radio is garbage (lyrically) and of course the band's musicianship is in full force here throughout. Leading the charge as always is Tim Lambesis who prowls his way throughout with his heartfelt and dynamic screams and growls that pack tons of intensity and passion. His vocals have gotten much better and more dynamic, and believe me this album definately proves it. Josh Gilbert (who also plays bass on here) meanwhile, does an awesome job with his clean singing which he has improved a great deal with on here. There's no doubt that both Tim and Josh do an excellent job at contributing each other with their respective vocal styles. Guitarists Nick Hipa and Phil Sgrosso are just all over the place with their brutal and relentless twin dual riff attack, and they also do an excellent job at throwing in memorable solos and awesome melodies as well, and drummer Jordan Mancino is just absolutely sick and relentless behind the drums as he always is with his punishing beats and ripping double bass pedal onslaughts. There's simply no question that Jordan keeps getting better with his drumming everytime, he is definately one of metal's best drummers today.

I basically love every single song off "The Powerless Rise", but here's a look at some of my favorite picks.

The album starts off with the brutal, no nonsense opener "Beyond Our Suffering" which begins with a quick intro, and then thrusts into a menacing, no holds barred assault of savage screams, brutal thrashing riffs, and blasting drums, and there's also a pair of ripping solos thrown in as well. The second track "Anodyne Sea" is highlighted by more of Jordan's awesome drumming especially at the beginning of the song, as well as more blistering riffage, and some superb clean vocals by Josh, and excellent guitar melodies near the end, while the following track "Without Conclusion" is another blistering scorcher that features more mad rushing guitars, blasting beats and ripping double bass kicking, raging screams, and another pair of awesome solos to go. Track four "Parallels" is another one of my favorite songs on here as well as being the album's first single. It starts with some great opening guitars, and then goes into an onslaught of faster, thrashing riffs, pummeling drums, and more raging screams from Tim. The melodic clean chorus by Josh is absolutely uplifting and amazing beyond words, and I also like the clean vocal passage that leads to an excellent guitar solo that pops out at 3:24. My favorite song on here, no doubt would definately have to be track five "The Plague" which is highlighted by more of Tim's dynamic screams along with more relentless drumwork and crazed, brutal riffing, and there's also another amazing solo at 2:17 as well. Meanwhile "Anger and Apathy" is a more melodic yet strong and heart pounding number that features some more of Josh's stunning clean vocals, and great double bass drumming from Jordan. Track seven "Condemned" however brings the aggression right back with more relentless blasting beats and double bass slamming, savage vocals, and blistering guitarwork, and "The Blinding of False Light" is a fantastic album closer that is highlighted by a really cool double bass pedal slamming part with some wicked death metalish growls from Tim around 2:43.

Overall, I must say that after listening to this album, this is without question the best album that As I Lay Dying has released thus far, as well as already being one of 2010's best metal releases too, and it also showcases the continuing growth and evolution of the band as well. This album has definately reached all of my highest listening expectations. Bottom Line, if you're a fan of As I Lay Dying and metal music in general, "The Powerless Rise" will not disappoint. Highly Recommended!!"

Great CD!

Jacob N. Vriesema | Michigan | 06/23/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a big fan of AILD, this CD was a great addition to my collection. Although I feel they stray away from the melodic metalcore in Oceans Between Us, this CD ups that one with guitar riffs and solos, meaningful lyrics and overall none-stop actions.

GREAT CD if you are a fan of AILD or metalcore in general."

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