HASTE THE DAY SHOULD KEEP DREAMING OF A BETTER ALBUM
Monday, December 22nd, 2008 at 2:33pm by Christopher Roddy
While I can appreciate some good metalcore, the more poppy side of the subgenre grates on me considerably. I’m also not a Christian, not by any stretch of the imagination. But Haste The Day dig Jesus quite a bit — not that there’s anything wrong with that — and the songs on their new album Dreamer follow the predictable pop-metalcore format (screaming verses followed by a catchy, sing-song chorus interrupted by a chugging breakdown and closing out with more EMOtive singing). Suffice it to say, Dreamer is not for me.
There’s a lyric in the midtempo affair “An Adult Tree” where new vocalist Stephen Keech sings with conviction, “The breath of the fallen angel brings death if you breathe it in,” which may have prophesied the exit of former lead guitarist Jason Barnes due to the onset of his Atheistic tendencies. The bass and guitar of this outfit have never been a strongsuit, so there’s the hope they might find someone who will inject a little more bite into their sound. What does work well are the much-improved drumming of Devin Chaulk (who, it was recently revealed, has also left the band) and Keech’s vocals, which resemble Unearth frontman Trevor Phipps’ growl. His clean singing is pretty impressive as well, showcasing a principled delivery. But the metalcore-by-numbers approach has a numbing effectl what’s going to happen next is always predictable. I guess there are those who might find that comforting in some way but I’d rather be treated to a few surprises here and there. This material is just too safe for its own good.
“Sons Of The Fallen Nation” features snakey licks and the melody is very warm and bright while the pulse is infectiously driving. The breakdown is a brief moment of crisp palm muting that doesn’t come across as overwrought. It’s one of the more varied and well-written compositions. “Babylon” has some impressive shredding that borders on the eerie.
But an ill-conceived ballad called “Labyrinth” destroys the momentum built up to that point and the album ends with an acoustic number called “Autumn,” a remake of a track from their self-released debut that makes for a meandering, anticlimactic end, though any long term fans would probably disagree. Fortunately the album doesn’t overstay its welcome, coming in just under forty minutes. While Dreamer marks Haste the Day’s best effort to date it ultimately still falls short; there are no revelations to be had with Haste The Day, and a sanitized message and sterile music are the best you can hope for.
-CR
(two out of five horns)
I’d have to say that the review was more predictable than the music….
@tr00: Yes, I agree. Instead of predictably telling us how a generic, stale metalcore band is not very good, and, well, predictable, Mr. Roddy should clearly have thrown us all a curveball and showered the album with his highest praises.
This band was boring as hell back when they released the mind-numblingly predictable “Burning Bridges”, and they’re still boring now. Sometimes, I wonder if Solid State will put out a record full of farts, as long someone can make it sound like they’re saying “Jesus”.
I actually enjoyed the album quite a bit. Would be in my top 10 of 2008 I would have to say. I can understand it’s not for everyone, but what’s with all the hate for metalcore and associations with ‘generic’? I really can’t understand why metalcore would be more repetitive than any other type of music in the world.
I was actually a huge HTD fan when Burning Bridges came out and this new album just plain sucks. Jimmy Ryan please come back.
I am so glad that Jimmy Ryan did the right thing by leaving in late 2005 and joining the far superior Trenches.
I don’t have anything against metalcore, but its formula has been beaten to death for years. Haste the Day were never anything great, and I never had any intention to check this album out due to how boring Pressure the Hinges is. Then again, I heard this album was better than PtH, but who knows?
AWESOME. I really wanted to hear how generic you think it is.
Unfortunately, its hardly metal. Its hardcore in my own humble opinion. So of course no on here likes it. But musically, its very very well done. If you don’t like hardcore, don’t listen to it. Its as simple as that.
Anyways, Its a fucking great hardcore/post-hardcore whatever the fuck genre you want to put it in, album so if anybody on here actually listens to something besides metal, you should check it out.
Haste the Day was quite decent metalcore with Burning Bridges, but after the loss of that singer (in Trenches now, as said above) they went way way down hill. Their stuff is just like the review said, boring, bland, and formulaic. They should look to Becoming the Archetype for some good “Christian Metal”, and take some notes.
Unfortunately, I’ve run into this band live at least 4 times while trying to see other good acts. Just terrible live, little to no musicianship.
HTD is not hardcore. If you think so, you don’t know hardcore. Period.
And why do you guys all want this dude to lie to you? Maybe every one says “metalcore” records suck, because they do……think about it.
You know who has a similar name but is 1,000,000,000 times more badass? Today Is The Day.
Haste The Day is a band I’ve never heard but know I will hate because every time I get side-kicked in a mosh pit, the swoop-haired retard who did it is wearing a Haste The Day shirt. And then he does that retarded finger thing. You know the one I’m talking about.
I’m going to side with Jason on this. I mean seriously, black flag, D.O.A, bad brains, Millions of dead Cops, ect.. Yeah there is hardcore. I’m tired of explaining this to this to trendy modern metal fucking retards. As far as HTD gos burning brindges was decent. I saw them early this year on the Atreyu tour along with it dies today, yeah fuck them now.
Burning Bridges/When Everything Falls: Awesome
Pressure the Hinges/Dreamer: Awful
weird album if you ask me… the only song that i have in my album its AUTUMN… and also the first AUTUMN version (not acustic) its better.
i think all we need is to get used to the new sound and concept…. this usually happends when half of the success of the band depends on the marketing. 68 its a great song… and INVOKE REFORM have pretty good hard agressive screams….
give the album a chance… i think it deserves… happends with all the bands that changue something… (why IN THIS MOMENT…. why do you became more alternative rock!!!!).
Hope the formula works for HASTE THE DAY
Why are metalcore bands always slapped with the epithet “generic”? Why don’t you ever hear about “generic thrash metal bands” or “generic black metal bands?”