Just because I would've clogged up the other, here's my review:
This album is absolutely stunning. As a fan of the band this is much, much more than I could have ever asked for. So lets go track by track shall we?
1. The Pale Haunt Departure The opening track of the album starts off with some great drumming by Joe Nunez. Once this track gets going, it goes straight for the throat. Really great song to open up the album, and Pauls growls sound fucking EVIL on this song. Absolutely a stunning track.
2. Swallowed By The Moon Since Ive been listening to this song on a fairly regular basis since it was available, this was one I was already familiar with. But the lyrics on this song are absolutely heartbreaking. Pauls vocals, both clean and growled, are awesome. The acoustic break in the middle is really nicely done as well. But talk about a heartbreaker, the music sets the atmosphere and the lyrics rip your heart out.
3. Autumn Reflection Starts off with some nice acoustic guitar, that breaks into some harder music, with Paul still singing clean. Ive gotta say, sometimes hard music + clean singing = bad, but this song is just fucking stunning (starting to see a pattern yet?). Again, this song just has such atmosphere, the music has really come together for this nicely (not that it hasnt before, but wow.)
4. Dark World Burden This one is a faster song for this album. Good riffs throughout, and Pauls growls sound ferocious. The drumming and bass on this track are also top-notch. I like the faster pace this song goes at, and the lyrics are, again, fantastic.
5. In The Absence Of Grace I wish I could see the look on everyones face when this breaks out of the opening acoustic part and Paul lets a growl fly. What a great opening to this song. This is a good song, but so far, the only thing that was kind of eh for me were the parts where Paul half talks/half growls. Still a great track, just a personal thing for me!
6. The Dead Leaf Echo Ahhhh. What a great fucking song. The opening slow part and the growls are just fucking excellent. The clean singing sounds fucking EPIC on this song as well. This is quite possibly my favorite track on the album (dont hold me to it, Ive only listened through it 2/3 times as Im writing this.) But WOW.
7. Through A Childs Eyes The structure of this song reminded me of If Forever from To Welcome The Fade. But, again, it seems more matured, and I like the Camel-esque vocals on this song. Its used to achieve a great effect, and this is simply another great track on an album that has (for me) almost no flaws. The ending leads/guitar parts of this track are awesome.
8. Collapse of the Fallen Throe The ending track of The Pale Haunt Departure. Starts with some pounding music and Pauls growls. The acoustic break is a welcome break from the punishment we get in the first 4:00 or so minutes. Then back into hell. A GREAT closer, which is an accomplishment in itself, since a lot of closing tracks suck.
On a final note, I need to address the artwork which is fucking top-notch, just like the album. The scenes in the booklet correspond so well to the songs youre listening to. I highly recommend sitting down with the booklet, and looking at the pictures while listening. As far as Im concerned this is the best album released in 2005 so far, easily. Itll be hard for any other album to top this monster.
-Mike Bozzuto-
-------------------------
I have to say, I was sad to have this album end. You guys NEED to tour. NOW.
This album is absolutely stunning. As a fan of the band this is much, much more than I could have ever asked for. So lets go track by track shall we?
1. The Pale Haunt Departure The opening track of the album starts off with some great drumming by Joe Nunez. Once this track gets going, it goes straight for the throat. Really great song to open up the album, and Pauls growls sound fucking EVIL on this song. Absolutely a stunning track.
2. Swallowed By The Moon Since Ive been listening to this song on a fairly regular basis since it was available, this was one I was already familiar with. But the lyrics on this song are absolutely heartbreaking. Pauls vocals, both clean and growled, are awesome. The acoustic break in the middle is really nicely done as well. But talk about a heartbreaker, the music sets the atmosphere and the lyrics rip your heart out.
3. Autumn Reflection Starts off with some nice acoustic guitar, that breaks into some harder music, with Paul still singing clean. Ive gotta say, sometimes hard music + clean singing = bad, but this song is just fucking stunning (starting to see a pattern yet?). Again, this song just has such atmosphere, the music has really come together for this nicely (not that it hasnt before, but wow.)
4. Dark World Burden This one is a faster song for this album. Good riffs throughout, and Pauls growls sound ferocious. The drumming and bass on this track are also top-notch. I like the faster pace this song goes at, and the lyrics are, again, fantastic.
5. In The Absence Of Grace I wish I could see the look on everyones face when this breaks out of the opening acoustic part and Paul lets a growl fly. What a great opening to this song. This is a good song, but so far, the only thing that was kind of eh for me were the parts where Paul half talks/half growls. Still a great track, just a personal thing for me!
6. The Dead Leaf Echo Ahhhh. What a great fucking song. The opening slow part and the growls are just fucking excellent. The clean singing sounds fucking EPIC on this song as well. This is quite possibly my favorite track on the album (dont hold me to it, Ive only listened through it 2/3 times as Im writing this.) But WOW.
7. Through A Childs Eyes The structure of this song reminded me of If Forever from To Welcome The Fade. But, again, it seems more matured, and I like the Camel-esque vocals on this song. Its used to achieve a great effect, and this is simply another great track on an album that has (for me) almost no flaws. The ending leads/guitar parts of this track are awesome.
8. Collapse of the Fallen Throe The ending track of The Pale Haunt Departure. Starts with some pounding music and Pauls growls. The acoustic break is a welcome break from the punishment we get in the first 4:00 or so minutes. Then back into hell. A GREAT closer, which is an accomplishment in itself, since a lot of closing tracks suck.
On a final note, I need to address the artwork which is fucking top-notch, just like the album. The scenes in the booklet correspond so well to the songs youre listening to. I highly recommend sitting down with the booklet, and looking at the pictures while listening. As far as Im concerned this is the best album released in 2005 so far, easily. Itll be hard for any other album to top this monster.
-Mike Bozzuto-
-------------------------
I have to say, I was sad to have this album end. You guys NEED to tour. NOW.
