Well, based on this, (sorry labels, I don’t do digitally released reviews) enjoy possibly the last review of a Victory release on this site. Luckily, it’s is a damn fine surprise.
With a new line-up, gone are the gimmicks like songs named after Tom Cruise movies, fairy tales, suits and sense of humor. Instead, fronted by former Cassius vocalist Mike Terry, Bury Your Dead come to the fray with a serious, mature, developed and less hardcore release of bruising modern metal. Sort of a cross of Hatebreed — if they didn’t suck — and Sevendust.
To most, the above analogy may mean instant suck, but bare with me here; Bury You Dead is a surprisingly strong album. Chunky, hooky, yet littered with moments of hefty groove — I hesitate to use the word breakdown here — which make for an album you simply didn’t see coming, especially after the burly but derivative Victory debut, Cover Your Tracks.
The transition is mostly cemented by Terry, who has a stern, not-so-hardcore shout and when mixed with his clean croon and the band’s newfound, more rock, less hardcore-based delivery makes for the Sevendust comparison (think Home). Now don’t get me wrong this isn’t quite as radio friendly as some of Sevendust’s material, and there are no ballads. But there are loads of thick, massive moments of stout hardcore-tinged angular metal that will get you inadvertently moving. Bury Your Dead , however, seems a conscious decision to veer away from hardcore. Tracks like opener “Sympathy Orchestra,” “Angel With A Dirty Face,” “Hands to Hide the Shame,” “Wombdisease,” “Fools Gold,” and the catchy, standout closer “Your One” would fair well on any rock radio station, as well as get the pit moving at Ozzfest.
Emboldened by a Jason Suecof production (Trivium, Sanctity, Devildriver, Chimaira, Cannae), which highlights both the band’s previous hardcore hues and the newer more commercial appeal, Bury Your Dead is manly-sounding record that shows a band willing to make a record that might not please the fans but is actually the record they wanted to make.
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New vocalist = improvement
I had a small party at the house last weekend and had this album in rotation. It definitely rattled the windows and was liked by most that were there.
on Apr 8th, 2008 at 10:18Seriously, I enjoyed this album. Sympathy Orchestra is a very strong opener. I don’t know about anyone else. That song hits a nerve.
Very strong, subtle ambiance through out the entire makes it have more feeling, it improves upon what Beauty and The Breakdown had. I think the new singer, just has something that Matt Bruso didn’t have. I couldn’t tell you what it is though.
Great stuff. Good Review. I didn’t know what to compare the new music, but I think you hit it on the head.
on Apr 8th, 2008 at 10:54solid review. i need to give this a few more listens, the review makes me wanna go back to it. it’s a shame terry won’t be doing another cassius album though, that debut had tons of promise.
Cover Your Tracks was their second album if i’m not mistaken:)
on Apr 8th, 2008 at 12:13they could have at least got a better singer. very generic vocals just like the dudes other band Cassius. but ya this disc is boring and nu metalish
on Apr 8th, 2008 at 17:08I would like to start by saying nice review. I pretty much have to disagree. I thought this album lacked good riffing, creativity, and it all pretty much all sounded the same. I really enjoyed the two albums before this and “Bury Your Dead” IMO is a complete let down. I will give them this the new vocalist is good at what he does.
on Apr 14th, 2008 at 12:26