Der Metal Krieger Let's make this world metal shall we?
Hello everyone, Sam here. I’m back with my latest review to the DMK realm. This time, I’m covering the new self-titled album from deathcore veterans WHITECHAPEL, due out June 19 on Metal Blade Records.
Band: Whitechapel
Album: Whitechapel
Genre: Deathcore
Label: Metal Blade Records
Release Date: June 19th, 2012
Personally I’m a fan of Whitechapel but I have not listened to this band enough to make a full opinion on them, so listening to this new album really refreshed me to what their main sound is with a hint of a newer metalcore side of it. Kicking the album off is the track “Make it Bleed,” which starts off with a little piano part and then a nice intro guitar riff that leads into what the song targets: making people bleed in their moshpits. Phil Bozeman, Whitechapel’s diabolic vocalist, comes in with his signature vocals to show the fans that Phil is back with a vengeance. Shortly after that, the full band enters and then all hell breaks loose with their adrenaline-rushed, fast-paced death metal approach to their known deathcore sound. This is that one song that will leave fans of heavy metal pleased with their early Job for a Cowboy-influenced sound. 90% of the song is fast and in your face, giving absolutely all their effort into what makes them who they are: a deathcore band who can push the limits.
The track that follows is the first single they released for this album entitled “Hate Creation.” The first line in the song has Phil directing his lyrical inlet toward hatred and ignorance, which is basically what Whitechapel thrived on since their debut full length THE SOMATIC DEFILEMENT, saying “Let this be the day that I stop to care and pour my hate upon this world.” The song itself gave old Whitechapel fans a newer taste of what they can expect from the band on this album.[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqNrwWoq5V0]
“(Cult)uralist” and “I, Dementia” are the 2 tracks that follow “Hate Creation”, and to the fans liking, they come back around with their set-in-stone deathcore sound, having riffs that follow the footsteps of their recent album A NEW ERA OF CORRUPTION while adding that blend of heavy, massive breakdowns that personified Whitechapel’s brutality.
Following those songs is “Section 8″ which, as a demo track that was created by guitarist Alex Wade, was released on Whitechapel’s EP Recorrupted and if you aren’t familiar with song, it gave Whitechapel fans a more diverse progressive sound to their deathcore music, which in turn lead to fans either loving or hating the new Whitechapel. The track starts off with the short yet impacting lyric “WE ARE NOTHING!” and immediately goes straight into a controlled chaotic breakdown that slowly leads straight into a double-bass drum finisher that will leave fans banging their heads pleased. The album version of this song adds a little more perception to the drums on the last breakdown of the song, in which you can hear the cymbals being hit that you couldn’t totally hear on the EP version of this song. Drummer Ben Harclerode really gave it a little extra push to guarantee that the song can have a little more of a perk that it already had.
“Faces” is the track that follows, and has a little more generic approach to it. The song sounds the same 60% of the time and leaves listeners wishing they would have given it a little extra, but in return showcases Phil’s lyrical prowess in the deathcore genre. Knowing this band has had lyrics showing the darker side of reality, the line that will give listeners that sense of rebellion and instant gratification of self-approval toward listeners and believers alike: “One Nation Under Hypocrisy!” That defines the song regardless of how measly the song really is. So it’s 50/50 whether or not I can love it or hate it more.
“Dead Silence” is equally as generic but has less of the same generically written material and has a couple little changes in it, which like I mentioned in the song before this one I would think people who couldn’t wait to hear the new Whitechapel album wanted something that really made this album better than A NEW ERA OF CORRUPTION, but at this point of the album you may start to think this album is a downgrade. Then “The Night Remains” comes into play, and with hopes almost diminished, it begins with a metalcore-influenced breakdown that gives listeners a sense of hope again. The song itself has a new hardcore approach that will shock fans like myself. Not to say it is a bad thing because bands should step outside of their comfort zone, but maybe it could have waited on the next album or they should have released this song as their first single. Regardless, fans will love Whitechapel for trying something new.
“Devoid” is the bands only instrumental song on the album, which doesn’t need much of a review other than it’s a nice 3 minute tune showing the bands lighter yet heavier side, which leads into the closing track “Possibilities of an Impossible Existence” and what a better closing track than this song. The song describes how this world might end up if no one would ever wake up again, ending the world as we know it. It’s brilliantly crafted to end this album with a bang, really showing fans why Whitechapel will stay that deathcore band that people will always be influenced from. Once that final breakdown comes in, you’ll love Whitechapel all over again.
This album is a step ahead regarding diversity and progression, but it’s a step down regarding lyrical content. Phil’s lyric writing could have been a lot more thought out, but this will do. You can only hope that the next album will be a lot more thought out both musically and lyrically, but being a Metal Blade Records band has its advantages, seeing that Whitechapel will be making its appearance on this year’s Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival alongside Slipknot, Slayer, Motorhead, Anthrax, As I Lay Dying, The Devil Wears Prada, and many more.
This will be the album that will give the band a step forward in the music industry. With the Mayhem Festival coming up and future touring plans with hardcore and deathcore heavyweights, Whitechapel finally left a footprint in the metal music industry, showing that you can be a band that does not need the attention of the radio to gain a huge following. If you hated Whitechapel before, this album will definitely make you a fan with their newer sound. If you already loved Whitechapel and questioned the idea of never listening to them ever again, you do not have to be disappointed. Hopefully the next album will finalize the band’s success both in the underground and in the mainstream. Check them out on Facebook. PRE-ORDER WHITECHAPEL HERE.
-Samuel Favata
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