Review by Rachel Jablonski
The increasingly successful, San Diego based, hardcore and punk influenced metal band called As I Lay Dying has surpassed expectation. An Ocean Between Us on Metal Blade Records shows musical maturity among the metal aura, a piecewise progression from their prior release entitled Shadows Are Security. Though, to be honest, it may take more than a few spins to realize the evolved beauty.
The rough growls overtop heavy guitars and frequent double bass drum is well received and thankfully broken up by occasional melodies so as not to become redundant. However, though the melodies are a good interrupt, the high-pitch vocals are somewhat distracting and standardized throughout the album as illustrated in “Forsaken.”
“Forsaken” contains clean, clear, polished, high-pitched vocals. It’s catchy, but takes some getting used to. It may be difficult to get past the similarities to the back up vocals of the band Atreyu – not necessarily a feat to be compared to. However distracting the vocals may be, the accompanying music is undeniably remarkable.
“Wrath Upon Ourselves” starts with a vacant sound briefly teasing the listener into calm until abrupt hardcore vocals shatter the silence. An addicting guitar piece adds an amazing layer to the song. The guitar portion is placed just well enough that it doesn’t become superfluous. It is fragmented well with vocal rhythms, accompanied by matching instrumental breakdowns. The song coming up so late in the album is puzzling as it is one of the best tracks with welcoming melodic vocals and guitar solo.
Good guitar work continues throughout the album. “Nothing Left” is pure heavy –a bit reminiscent of the song “Through Struggle” off of Shadows Are Security. The guitar solos continue. Similarly, the title track is fast and heavy, but the chorus melody is a bit forced. It is too high-pitched and sing-songy for a metal song and almost reminds me of a Blink 123 vocal. But metal fans don’t let me scare you into a turn off cause with “Within Destruction” everything is fast, down tuned, and metal is redeemed. The song is almost Lamb of God-like; dark and easy to get lost in through the sharp guitars, heavy vocals, and double bass. Eventually, the song transitions into a slower, slight break and then rushes in with heaviness almost leading you to believe you’ve transitioned songs with such a narrow bridge.
Similar to “Within Destruction,” slower, softer chunks are immersed in the heaviness at points in the album. “Separation” begins with static, like a record player needle scratching, and a lonely guitar riff. Other instruments follow as the music keeps the tone and pace, but becomes less muffled and sounds as if coming toward the listener. It then transitions into a heavy riff and great percussion work with lots of double bass.
Another solid track, “I Never Wanted” contains a Deftones/old Project 86ish rock feel with singing and rough vocals meshed together at once. It works. Love the growls. The beginning of the song is dark and entrancing comparable to the beginning of Deftones’ “Change *In the House of Flies).” The vocals in the song are less Atreyu-whiney and much more meaningful.
As I Lay Dying is already successful and should continue to evolve as their career progresses.