Image from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tracing_Back_Roots_album_cover.png
In the name of diversity, I’ve decided to review the third
studio effort of the metalcore outfit We Came as Romans. While metalcore is not my standard fare
and is not a genre I care for particularly, I thought I would give the release
a chance. Entitled Tracing Back Roots, the album marks a
stylistic change for the group towards an increased use of melodic passages and
clean signing. Employing these
types of elements in metal can certainly make for an interesting and varied
album, but in this instance, the sonic endeavor falls short of its goal. Overall, this album feels rather bland
to me. I don’t think this is due
to my apathy toward metalcore or the heavy use of melodic sounds because I have
heard plenty of metalcore that I like and I thoroughly enjoy melodic metal when
done right. Instead, I feel that
this album just underwhelms the listener in terms of composition and
execution. As I get into the music,
I’ll try to explain why.
First,
I must admit that there are many positive snippets and soundbytes that can be
gleaned from this album. Beginning
with the titular track, the album opens with a loud and aggressive charge,
radiating a vitality that infects the listener. Sophisticated rhythmic structures and percussive guitar
sounds pound at the speakers.
Intermittent booms from the bass register lend a buoyant, spatial
quality to the music. In a fairly
drastic tone change, clean, phantasmal guitars infuse melody into the song,
establishing a complex emotional spectrum that sets the tone for the album. On the whole, the album displays a
tastefully selective use of double kick drum beats, a good incorporation of
harmony vocals, and predictable yet emotionally effective bridges. Specific songs have their moments as
well. Exemplifying an intelligent
fusion of melody and intensity, “Ghosts” makes good use of softer sounds, such
as whispers and keyboards, to enhance the impact of heavier bursts. It also contains a clean, well-placed
bridge that effectively collects and sifts through the energy and emotions let
loose in the heavy passages.
In
addition, We Came as Romans employs a fair amount of electronic sounds on the
album, adding a measure of uniqueness to their take on metalcore. Though I’m sure plenty of other groups
have taken this approach as well, I applaud the intent of this decision because
I have always thought that electronic music and metal would make for an
intriguing combination. However,
as with the album on the whole, the execution is lackluster.
Why
do all of these interesting elements fail to come together successfully? In my opinion, We Came as Romans brings
promising concepts to the table but flounders in fashioning a synergy amongst
the various parts. For example,
the final track, “Through the Darkest Dark and Brightest Bright,” presents an
eclectic mix of bouncing, rave-oriented electronics, gothically intoned piano
segments, punk anthem chants, and punctuating metal chucks. However, in terms of arrangement, these
components feel slapped together rather than integrated. Most of the songs on Tracing Back Roots are more disjointed
patchwork than interwoven tapestry.
Furthermore, in terms of execution, the band fails to fully exploit the
interactions of their diverse influences.
They bring the elements together, but they don’t take the next step and
push the limits with innovative uses of tension, layering, contrast, or what
have you. Also, as a side note, I
think the vocals fall flat on this album. On some songs, like “I Survive,” they are better, but for
the most part they are unsatisfying.
They sound too much like a pantomime of similar artists in terms of
stress and delivery. Thus, I think
that Tracing Back Roots leaves much
to be desired.
Score: 5/10
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