Regular readers of this site will know of my tolerance, nay affinity for metalcore, and I’m sure will question my like of a genre that most deem responsible for the downfall of metal as we know it. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s albums such as Waking Giants that bring back to this much maligned genre.

I’ve followed this unheralded Connecticut band since their full length debut The Sun Rises, The Sun Sets and Still Out Time is Endless with all the subsequent line-up changes and their last effort Ignite And Rebuild was yet another superb effort of layered, ultra melodic, Shai Hulud/Misery Signals-ish, emotional metalcore, but now signed to more appropriate, Christian heavy Solid State Records, LIYW have truly created a landmark metalcore album.

While the terms “praisecore” and “Godcore” get thrown around for any Christian metalcore bands, when it comes to worship filled melodic metalcore as emotionally charged and truly evocative as LIYW, I prefer the term “Gospelcore” because while, LIYW (much like label mates As Cities Burn) will never make me question my atheistic lack of faith, they certainly fill me with love, reverence and grace. Truly, LIYW’s orchestrated metalcore tones are some of the most uplifting, beautiful and moving moments I have ever heard and will ever hear. While some may throw the term emo at a band like LIYW, it’s not fitting except in the notion that LIYW are in fact, incredibly emotional, and while clean vocals are often utilized amid the typical metalcore cries of Joshua Kellam, they come across as more choral and angelic (i.e. “We Don’t Believe”, “Making Waves”, “Help! The Arms of the Mighty”) than whiny. The fact is though; the dual guitars of LIYW are, more often than not simply stunning, sumptuously so, and capable of truly moving me at my core.

While each track is a standout, highlights include the early tones of “Reach The End” (despite its misleading emo opening bars), “The Shame” (the utterly stunning last minute will take your breath away), uplifting “Worthwhile”, hymn like prose of “Salty Grave”, grace filled instrumental “The Beauty of Grace” and rending closer “Beneath It All”. And while certainly layered as hell and somewhat busily harmonious, LIYW still manage to construct memorable songs and moments, unlike say Fordirelifesake, some of Shai Hulud’s material or even the new With Passion album.

On the negative side, I was a little disappointed with the redo of “Thread of Sincerity”, not because it’s a weak track, it’s far from it, its more because I would have preferred “Light In Mine”, if given a choice of tracks from Ignite and Rebuild. Even genre clichés like the prayer-ish ‘ballads’ “Help! The Arms of the Mighty” and (acoustic heavy) “Judas” still manage to fill me with joy and genuine sense that the almighty is smiling down on me while I rock the fuck out, and puts me in a great mood, whatever personal issues I’m having at the time. Sounds silly I know, but, it’s a testament to how damn good LIYW are at their craft.

I hate to mention best albums of the year at this early juncture in 2007, but if Waking Giants isn’t in my top ten of 2007, I’ll see you in Church.

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