May
31
Album Review: As I Lay Dying-The Powerless Rise
It has been quite a while since As I Lay Dying last stirred up a sizable commotion. A bunch of years removed from their “An Ocean Between Us,” America’s preeminent Christian metalcore (meaning the music is tough, but it’s got a positive message—like, yuck?) champions are back to secure their chokehold on a genre they all but founded. (Cuz you know, there’s this other band, Killswitch Engage? Ever heard of ‘em? Does All That Remains sound familiar too?) The album launches in grand no bullshit fashion, all rapidfire percussion and energized riffs layered with Tim Lambesis’ hoarse growl for the barrage that’s “Beyond Our Suffering.” It’s quite a trippy ride, its lyrics preaching a measure of detachment from our worldly concerns once we begin empathizing with the humans around us. Having contributed to the well-being of the youth, “Anodyne Sea” barges in to stir some drama and it doesn’t really grab you by the balls until the chorus features those irresistible clean croons. Promise, you’ll hate yourself for bobbing your neck along to the music.
Just when you thought their melodic inclinations would get the better of them, As I Lay Dying pull a 180 and rip your guts out for the uncompromising “Without Conclusion” whose asinine chorus features tough guy chants like “This song won’t end/Without Conclusion!” A much better set of lyrics enlivens the invigorating pace of “Parallels” and it’s at this point where the quintet resemble their same-styled peers the most (i.e., Atreyu, Trivium, Bullet For My Valentine)until they once again unleash a hurricane of machinegun drums and relentless guitars for “The Plague.” The next song “Anger And Apathy” is plain boring so it would be best to skip it in favor of the guaranteed fist-to-your-groin “Condemned.” Even if it burns for a brief three minutes, it easily bags the prize for the most impactful (and heaviest) song on the album. Unfortunately “Upside Down Kingdom” only meets your heightened expectations halfway and by its last stretch of music you’re hoping As I Lay Dying redeem their latest with a solid finisher. Thank the heavens they do, as the two hit goodbye of “The Only Constant is Change” and “The Blinding of False Light” explodes into glorious fireworks until the curtains fall.
“The Powerless Rise” does no harm to whatever legacy As I Lay Dying have achieved. It certainly won’t look bad on your CD shelf.
-Miguel
