- KYS: 58
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- 58
Attack Attack! - This Means War
This Means War, while a somewhat new direction for Attack Attack!, may suffer from getting lost in the over saturated and highly generic metalcore sea. The album does perfectly well at ticking all the boxes for what a metalcore album should be, but the sense of sameness and repetition may be it’s biggest downfall. However this may also be it’s saving grace. If with this album, Attack Attack! were attempting to change the way they are perceived and be taken more seriously as musicians then this album is definitely a step in the right direction for them, maybe three steps. This Means War is your fundamental metalcore album, it will fit nicely on the shelf with the rest of your Rise Records collection, enjoy.
- KYS: 72
- User: N/A
- 72
Abigail Williams - Becoming
'Becoming' is not designed or crafted to polarise but there is still a strong feeling that some will embrace this album more than others. Studio album three is another release that stands alone in the Abigail Williams discography. It has certain strong moments but nothing more profound.
- KYS: 74
- User: 10
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Aborted - Global Flatline
Aborted usher 2012 in with a typically trademark and consistent offering. 'Global Flatline' is a release one would expect nothing less from Aborted. It's intense, dark and overt. There will be metal albums that supersede this one throughout the course of the year, but in isolation, studio album seven is decent and doesn't feel tedious or forced in approach.
- KYS: 70
- User: 55
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Anthony Green - Beautiful Things
‘Beautiful Things’ is a much better record than ‘Avalon,’ mainly due to the deviation in sound and style between the tracks. Green seems to be finding, and experimenting with his comfort zones, as a solo artist, leaving his genre options open and hinting that the best is yet to come.
- KYS: 70
- User: 75
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Angels And Airwaves - Love: Part Two
The 'Love' project has been executed slowly but efficiently and is the type of thing that many artists wish they could pull off as well as AvA have. The records, which make more sense in conjunction with the images of the film, actually stand alone quite well, which is a challenge that all movie inspired records face. AvA seem to have settled into a place which puts ego aside and as a result the solid rock music this band are capable of is able to shine through.
- KYS: 50
- User: 23
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Asking Alexandria - Stepped Up and Scratched
The hardest things about metal and hardcore bands making remix records is that their fan base will probably not appreciate, or even want to listen to, the electronic dance versions of the original songs. Whilst 'Stepped Up and Scratched' features some good production, it is not cohesive or clever enough to make this a memorable moment in the Asking Alexandria catalogue.
- KYS: 76
- User: 78
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Aversions Crown - Servitude
Not quite ready to proclaim this as a definitive release but something tells me Aversions Crown are going to be a permanent fixture playing alongside many similar international bands when they venture to Australia in the months (and most likely years) ahead. 'Servitude' is certainly one of the better up and coming releases of 2011.
- KYS: 78
- User: N/A
- 78
Animals as Leaders - Weightless
'Weightless' is again sonic and aural proof that instrumental albums can be interesting, engaging and innovative. The full-length does not get repetitive or concern itself with pompous musical traits. Something tells me 'Weightless' is going to motivate a few aspiring musicians to spend a bit more time in the practice room.
- KYS: 70
- User: 72
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A Loss For Words - No Sanctuary
No Sanctuary is a solid record from a band that might have headed into their major label debut without enormous expectations. Instead of simply borrowing, repeating and fitting into the stereotypical created by the pop punk genre, A Loss For Words are proving they aren’t afraid to mix it up from time to time. While there are no songs that totally hit it out of the ballpark, No Sanctuary is definitely a complete album featuring 12 tracks that will keep you coming back again and again.
- KYS: 67
- User: 60
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As I Lay Dying - Decas
'Decas' is essentially intended and dually designed for pre-existing fans. It is more symbolic than it is engaging. What 'Decas' provides is worthy recognition of a band that continues to survive in an often cruel scene. There's some decent bits to pick out from here but not much else.