As They Sleep - Blacken The Sun - Album Review

As They Sleep - Blacken The Sun (2008)

Album Year: 2008

Genre: Deathcore/Melodic Death Metal 

Location: Detroit, Michigan 

 



As They Sleep's 2008 album 'Blacken The Sun' is one of the many reasons why the underground scene is so highly important. If you're unaware of this melodic death metal act I think it's about time you start waking up to the talent that's coming for you. Surpassing plenty of thrill-seeking genres to create a vibrant sound that hardly any other thriving bands are able to establish is nothing more than what could be described as an easy task for As They Sleep. This rare fuse has genuinely made the entire band progress from this album as a whole and even helped them score a recent record deal with UK label Siege Of Amida, who have signed some great talent in the past such as; Annotations Of An Autopsy, Martyr Defiled and The Bridal Procession. However fussy you may be with the amount of genres in the world at the moment, it is essential that you ignore whatever fancy core characteristics come abouts when comparing As They Sleep to anything else, because the entire album is nothing short of brutal, honest and original.

Technical, epic, and demonic is the first track to the album which is simply a short intro that boasts of a decent variety of riffs and blast beats. 'A Thousand Deaths' is where the vocals soon kick in - delivering shriek high pitched screams as well as guttural lows and the occasional hardcore shouting. These vocals are somewhat similar to All Shall Perish's Eddie Hermida with a pinch of hardcore brutality from Acacia Strain's Vincent Bennet...if you could imagine? If not - simply check the music for yourself. 'Companion Of The Fire' introduces the rare use of mainstream clean vocals - but not enough to consider this of the metalcore genre, it's still death metal.

The album spins into insanity after the first several tracks, revealing more and more of what is to offer. One of the more favourable tracks 'Sins 'N Needles', proves more worth than most songs with its beautiful guitar solo and mind boggling riffs throughout defining the track as a stand out from the rest. Whereas tracks such as 'Sweet Misery', in my opinion, take a slightly more thrash metal approach - which again adds to their powerful, and clever use of diversity. Instrumental track 'Dawn' relieves the listener at a calm pace using a piano whilst slowly building up to a monstrously impressive array of riffs and solos, ending the album on an all time high.

Breakdowns may not be the key element used in As They Sleep's music, but the occasional use of the breakdown simply becomes a treat to the listener at most. Advancing with certain techniques that most bands in this genred category simply cannot keep up with is one thing that As They Sleep are proportionate of. It comes as no surprise that they are still able to create albums even after this majestic masterpiece, and yet everything still manages to feel refreshing as if it's never been done before.

Tracklist:

 

1. Dusk (intro) 01:59
2. A Thousand Deaths 04:00
3. Companion of the Fire 05:09
4. Pangaea 05:02
5. Sins N' Needles 04:27
6. Seeds of Hate 03:34
7. Sweet Misery 05:33
8. Hollow 04:21
9. Revelations 03:04
10. Blacken the Sun 05:07
11. Dawn (outro) 04:14
Total playing time 46:30

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dygo6ki8dWs

 

As They Sleep - Dynasty - Album Review

Album Year: 2010

Genre: Death Metal

Location: Detroit, MI

Tracklist:

1: Oracle Of The Dead
2: To The Republic
3: The Third Reich
4: Bedlam At The Nile
5: The Darkest Ages
6: Ritual
7: The Offering
8: Attila
9: Poseidon
10: God Of War
11: The Unseen

As a whole, Dynasty is not a bad album. As They Sleep delivers on many songs, but also disappoints on others. The members of As They Sleep reference their Christian beliefs in some songs, but these ideas are usually in the background, allowing the listener to interpret the lyrics however they please.

Dynasty follows the rise and fall of several great societies, real and fictional. Each song not only describes a certain era, but also comments on it. Dynasty starts off strong with “Oracle Of The Dead”. This song is one of the “more Christian” songs on Dynasty. “Oracle Of The Dead” focuses mainly on Hell and Man’s quest for immortality. This quest for immortality is a common theme throughout the entire album, mainly as a result of a certain ruler’s desire for power.

Throughout the rest of the album, the lyrics are rather predictable if you just read the song title. The ideas are predictable, but the lyrics are very well written for the most part. Some songs, like “To The Republic” and “The Unseen” focus more on modern Christianity and the world today, while “The Third Reich” and “Attila” are definitely historic events and are not meant to be interpreted as much.

As a whole, As They Sleep sounds a bit too much like a death metal version of Parkway Drive. This is mostly a result of their guitar sound and riff ideas. The vocals and drumming are quite different though. Breakdowns are used quite sparingly, in keeping with death metal tradition. Although As They Sleep is a death metal band, they are definitely influenced more by current music ideas than those of earlier death metal acts.

Dynasty would have been better if there were more melodic parts, like in “The Unseen” and “Ritual” (instrumental). As They Sleep sure can write interesting and enjoyable riffs, which is why I think they should be brought more to the forefront.

Rating: 3.5/5