So up next on the chopping block is the band Converge. This is another request and I had never really heard very much of these guys before but all I know is that they are a metalcore band and lots of people like them. So let’s take a look….
Halo In A Haystack- alright so right off the bat we have an album that sounds very raw and unpolished. This is one of those albums I had to go on YouTube to listen to so the quality wasn’t that great. That being said, it’s not a bad start just don’t expect anything brilliant. I give this one 7/10
Standouts: Two Day Romance, Shallow Breathing, Exhale
Petitioning The Empty Sky- alright so unlike the last one where you can somewhat understand the vocals, this one (and pretty much everything moving forward) you can’t understand. Now as far as the music itself is concerned, it’s a little better on this one. I will say that this album gets boring after awhile. Like seriously I couldn’t wait for this one to end. I give it 3/10
Standouts: The Saddest Day
When Forever Comes Crashing Down- musically this one is a little better but for some reason, I feel like the production was better on the last album. Maybe it’s just me I’m not sure. Anyway, I feel the same way about this album as I did the last album and I’m somewhat starting to regret reviewing this band. Like seriously I don’t get what people like about these guys. 0/10
Standouts:
Jane Doe- Ok now we are getting somewhere. This one is so much better than the last album. The vocals are still on the irritating side (to me they sound like a lesser version of Napalm Death) but the songs seem to be a bit more cohesive. This is probably the only album from these guys I had heard of. Aside from the vocals, the band just seems tighter. The thing with this album and several of theirs, to really get the songs, you kind of have to read the lyrics so this one I would say is about lost love and relationships collapsing. I guess if you are gonna start with this band this would be a good place. I give this 8/10
Standouts: Fault And Fracture, Homewrecker, Heaven In Her Arms
You Fail Me- I wouldn’t say that this is a continuation of Jane Doe but the band does sound even tighter on here and in fact some of the songs are slowed down a little bit.
On here we have songs about bad luck, drug addiction and personal demons, and even how one can find comfort in a wrecked relationship. I don’t know that’s what I got out of it. I suppose everything is open to interpretation. I give this one 7/10
Standouts: Last Light, Black Cloud, You Fail Me
No Heroes- I feel like this one is a combination of the last two albums. There are slower songs and there are of course the faster songs. I will say that at least the first couple songs, one is about person who is pro religion and the other is about someone who is anti religion. It’s very interesting. Anyway, overall this album is different. Yes there are slower parts but on here there are some clean singing parts. I guess this one would be more experimental than what they’ve done. As a whole though this one is just average. I give it 6/10
Standouts: No Heroes, Sacrifice, Hellbound
Axe To Fall- ok finally a great album. Not that the last few were terrible by any means but musically, this is an album that hooks you from the start. Like when I think of metalcore, this is the kind of album I am talking about. Now I will say that vocally, Jacob Bannon sounds like a distorted Barney Greenway (Napalm Death). So far this is their best work and it’s the first 10/10
Standouts: Dark Horse, Effigy, Cutter
All We Love We Leave Behind- I don’t know is it just me or are the clean parts on some of these songs a little whiny? Could be me. This is another great album and it’s definitely a worthy follow up to Axe. The guitar work again is really good on here and the vocals are also really good. Finally I feel like they have found their footing. I give this 9.5/10
Standouts: Trespasses, Tender Abuse, Glacial Pace
The Dusk In Us- so again I feel like we are back to experimenting again. I feel like with this band they go back and forth with that. I will say that it is cool to hear a band like this doing that kind of thing. It may not be my favorite but it’s still cool. Anyway, I just couldn’t get into this as much as the last couple. Not to say that you shouldn’t listen to this but for me, I prefer the last couple records. I give this 6.5/10
Standouts: Under Duress, Cannibals, Reptilian
Blood Moon- so this is not really an album but it’s a single with Chelsea Wolfe. The best word I can use to describe this is interesting. I feel like her voice and Jacob’s voices do compliment each other well and the song is pretty good. Not sure if Blood Moon is the new album title for the upcoming release but I’m curious to hear what the rest of the record will sound like. I give this 8.5/10
This was a very different deep dive to say the least. For one thing I don’t think I’ve ever reviewed a band where they started off not so good. Also I wouldn’t really call these guys metalcore either. Not sure what to call them. I said it before and I’ll say it again but I feel like Jacob Bannon’s vocals are just a distorted version Barney Greenway. Like he isn’t anything special but the band itself is awesome. However with these guys, you really have to read the lyrics. If you read them, you will appreciate these records so much better which is the reason why I didn’t give a lot of these albums zeroes. Do I see myself revisiting these albums in the near future? Probably not. Am I glad I listened and reviewed them? Absolutely. Do I think Converge and Napalm Death should tour together? Absolutely.
Final Grade: B
Album Rankings:
- Axe To Fall
- All We Love We Leave Behind
- Jane Doe
- Blood Moon
- Halo In A Haystack
- You Fail Me
- No Heroes
- The Dusk In Us
- Petitioning The Empty Sky
- When Forever Comes Crashing Down
Sinister Reviews 