Call it luck, call
it fate, whatever, As I Lay Dying is the perfect band for
the moment. On their third full-length release the group
has successfully combined elements of every big rock scene
out there right now into one polished package.
As they keep working the road, they will find fans across
the genres and should grow into one of the biggest hard
rock bands of the decade. Shadows Are Security, their new
album, is a melting pot of emocore/post hardcore, thrash
and Swedish metal. The cuts on the disc are quick pummeling
attacks with a melodic groove pushing them along and binding
them together.
While the groove may have its roots in Gothenberg, the
hoarse, yelled lyrics and clean chorus breaks are pure American
emocore. The few clean sing-along breaks provide welcome
respite from the thrash-fueled kick-and-punch breakdowns.
Shadows is much like Frail Words Collapse in that the songs
run together easily yet leave the listener craving more
as they fly by so quickly. It is a quality that makes it
difficult to pick single-worthy songs. The one song that
will certainly satisfy fans of Frail Words is “Through
Struggle” with its weaving guitars, pit-worthy breakdown
and freight train vocals. An open, sing-along chorus makes
“The Darkest Nights” the track that should get
the most radio and music television airplay.
The crossover appeal of this metalcore band is not to be
denied. As the lines between genres continue to blur, As
I Lay Dying has laid themselves across the laps of the different
scenester kids riding in the backseat out on a school night.
Shadows is one cd that everyone can agree to keep in the
car and nod their heads along with the double bass cadence.
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