"So far in 2006 i have yet to be disappointed with my metal purchases. If Hope Dies newest CD is no exception.
Overall it is a good listen and a metal album down to its roots. I guess the only real reason i didn't give this CD a 5 star rating was that after awhile the songs start to sound a little similar.
The music is something that is following the current trend, but still trying to set apart from their competition. I have hope for the band, but I know that it's all too easy for a band to be in the shadow of much larger success, such as As I Lay Dying, Dead To Fall, Darkest Hour or the ever popular Killswitch Engage. While having several colossal acts running the current metal show, If Hope Dies continue to steer away from a tendency to be those bands. Idolization isn't pretty when it become plagiarism and I have hope that this group will remember it.
I like the cd, i just cant say that i loved it. Himsa's new album is good too, although different by nature of song structure, it was also a good buy."
This is good metal
Steve Dawg | Claremont, Ca | 06/07/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It reminds me of American headcharge and heaven shall burn but it has a different sound from the quitar. The guitar sounds like trivium and the showdown. Great cd loud mean and did I meantion loud. Don't forget the great pinches. It has the sound of the haunted also. If you like revolver and on that cd the song fire alive you will like the first song burned out immediately."
Amazing
darkest hour | 03/21/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"simply put...this cd is amazing. it is a big improvment to The ground is rushing up to meet us..and thats saying alot where thats a classic cd in my eyes...right up there with Heartwork and The Oncoming Storm. this cd sounds alot like arch enemy and unearth....wich is a very good thing. heavy breaks, good harmonic melodic guitar, and good vocals. good stuff..buy it homie"
One of the top metal releases of the year!
Almost Home | undisclosed | 12/17/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Without a doubt, this disc is one of the most fully enjoyable American metal releases to come out in recent memory. This is an album of thrash from cover to cover with no breaks to get in touch with any sensitive sides we may have. The music itself is well written and performed energetically. It feels more like a concert than a studio release. The production quality is miles ahead of their previous album, The Ground Is Rushing Up To Meet Us. However, the sense of humor is still firmly in tact. I would recommend this for fans of thrash and melodic death. Good stuff."
Energetic & entertaining
A. Stutheit | Denver, CO USA | 04/13/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Metalcore is over-saturated with bands who fuse North American death metal with Euro thrash (very much in the same vein as In Flames and Carcass). Even though If Hope Dies are one of those bands, their second disc, "Life In Ruin," is still very exceptional, entertaining, and (somewhat) infectious. Most of these songs shoot by at about the same speed, but what this album lacks in originality and diversity, it makes up for in sheer, unrepentant, face-melting energy/intensity, and good musicianship.
Plus, If Hope Dies may be, in principle, just like almost any other popular metal band right now, but at least this band is able to be heavy without heaping on the blast beats and constant breakdowns. And, besides, there are many other metalcore bands, who are far from being innovative but are nonetheless quite popular (has anyone heard of Unearth and/or Despised Icon?) If Hope Dies deserve to be as famous as any of them.
"Life In Ruin" is bursting at the seams with chunky, adrenalized guitars, and quick, nimble drumming. Vocally, If Hope Dies singer Alan French uses the "angry bear" technique most of the time, so he usually evokes Randy Blythe (if Randy were prepubescent or in a somewhat happy mood).
Even with a couple of cleanly sung choruses, there is absolutely no melody anywhere on these songs. This should deter some potential buyers, but if a band like Lamb of God can get away with making melody-deficient metal, why can't these guys?
"Burned Out" immediately gets this album going on the right foot, with a maelstrom of blistering guitars, walloping drums, and throat-straining vocals. "Anthem For The Unemployable" is a fast, thunderous assault of double kick drums. Track four, "Time Is Not On Our Side," boasts a bobbing beat with swooping guitars, and "Fear Will Keep Them In Line" continues in this vein, with fiery, quickly churning riffs and a pounding, machine gun rhythm. The last two highlights are the tempo change, buzzsaw guitars, and crashing high hat on "The Ultimate Nullifier," and the tenth song, "Nuked From Orbit," which boasts feverish, rapid-fire, cascading riffs and even a mini guitar solo.
"Life In Ruin" may not exactly break new ground, but it still makes for some very enjoyable listening sessions. There are some generic sounding moments (i.e. "Water Into Wine Cooler" and "Marked For Death"), but this is scorching, blood-pumping hardcore influenced metal at its finest, and this is a very worthy inclusion in every metalcore fan's collection.
If Hope Dies may not be around in ten (or even five years), after the metalcore craze dies off and the next big thing moves in. But, right now, I couldn't care less about that. I enjoyed this disc!"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1