Album Review
More than almost any other band melding technical death metal and hardcore, Despised Icon has been remarkably consistent. Sure, plenty in the much-maligned sub-genre haven’t been around long enough or released enough material for anyone to form a rational basis for comparison, but that doesn’t discount the fact that this band has delivered time and time again. So it should come as no surprise that Day of Mourning, the group’s fourth full-length and first with guitarist Ben Landreville and bassist Max Lavelle, absolutely rips from start to finish.
Finding a few songs buried in the muck of most albums of this ilk is often a wasted effort. Somehow, someway, this band continues its creative streak and defies the deathcore stereotype. There are some damn fine songs here. From the stringy, sinewy riffs and powerful, almost doom-like breakdowns in “Black Lungs” to the punishing, almost boastful bellows in single “MVP,” Day of Mourning is loaded from front to back with recognizable, often hook-laden tracks.
The sheer energy of some of these songs is astounding. The aforementioned “Black Lungs” is a great example of what this band can bring to the table when they just let things fly. A simple word like “fun” seems most appropriate. “Entre Le Bien Et Le Mal,” aside from giving away the band’s origins, proves that a band doesn’t have to veer too far from its established sound to remain creative and interesting. The crawling feel to it exudes an almost threatening vibe. And at just under 35 minutes the album doesn’t overstay its welcome.
If you’re looking for a departure of sound, you’re not going to find it here. Think of this release as a logical continuation of the band’s discography. To a good number of fans, The Healing Process will forever remain their magnum opus. I am not among those fans. There’s something to be said for age and maturation. The Ills of Modern Man was Despised Icon finding its bearings, channeling its collective firepower and blowing the lid off any and all genre trappings. Day of Mourning is an unsupervised Despised Icon doing backflips in the deep end of the community pool, splashing the green suckers foolish enough to think they’re able to keep up.
Finding a few songs buried in the muck of most albums of this ilk is often a wasted effort. Somehow, someway, this band continues its creative streak and defies the deathcore stereotype. There are some damn fine songs here. From the stringy, sinewy riffs and powerful, almost doom-like breakdowns in “Black Lungs” to the punishing, almost boastful bellows in single “MVP,” Day of Mourning is loaded from front to back with recognizable, often hook-laden tracks.
The sheer energy of some of these songs is astounding. The aforementioned “Black Lungs” is a great example of what this band can bring to the table when they just let things fly. A simple word like “fun” seems most appropriate. “Entre Le Bien Et Le Mal,” aside from giving away the band’s origins, proves that a band doesn’t have to veer too far from its established sound to remain creative and interesting. The crawling feel to it exudes an almost threatening vibe. And at just under 35 minutes the album doesn’t overstay its welcome.
If you’re looking for a departure of sound, you’re not going to find it here. Think of this release as a logical continuation of the band’s discography. To a good number of fans, The Healing Process will forever remain their magnum opus. I am not among those fans. There’s something to be said for age and maturation. The Ills of Modern Man was Despised Icon finding its bearings, channeling its collective firepower and blowing the lid off any and all genre trappings. Day of Mourning is an unsupervised Despised Icon doing backflips in the deep end of the community pool, splashing the green suckers foolish enough to think they’re able to keep up.
rattleyourgodamnhead |
posted on 12/2009 |
I haven't heard this and have no desire to. Deathcore is pretty much the worst and most generic subgenre of metal there is. Who likes this shit besides the scene kids? No respected metalhead I know-
Having witnessed their live show (yo-yo...we're despised icon) I can honestly say they are irritating as fuck to witness.
But the kiddies love em' damnit
Vilevengeance |
posted on 12/2009 |
Are you guys listening to the same album!?? This shit D E S T R O Y S everything they have put out. Its fuckin fast and relentless. If you can sit there and say that this album doesn't have speed,aggression, and heavyness to it then you have a personal problem with this band.
Emo-Hey fuckin fairy.. Find one BREEE on this album you dumb fuck. You obviously havent fuckin listened to it. Unlike many many bands atleast this one fuckin evolves
Emoholocaust287 |
posted on 10/2009 |
Ok fine forget the genre tag. Generic death metal riffs into a generic hardcore breakdown with ridiculous hardcore vocals doesnt - good music. Much like every deathcore band their are strong nu-metal similarites and everytime this band a has a good riff going for it they add in 50 more bad ideas so barely notice it.
ellipsis |
posted on 10/2009 |
@disco: It definitely has a bit of a "mechanical" property to it, yeah. Personally, I feel that that sentiment was more prominent on "Ills".
@steve: Exactly man. You already know what to expect, and it's nothing to flip your wig over. I guess that's why it's hard for me to stay devoted to most metal bands after their 3rd album....
ellipsis |
posted on 10/2009 |
The "deathcore" genre is far beyond stagnant, but there's something with this band that keeps me wanting to listen. I want to chalk it up to the production values lending itself to the sheer ferocity of DI's sound, but it feels a bit more intangible. I have yet to listen to this entire album, but the little that I have heard left me digging it. Not so much impressed, because I already know what tricks DI is packing in their bag, but enjoying the music for what it's worth.
