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Reviews

CORPUS CHRISTI’S THE DARKER SHADE OF WHITE: JESUS WOULD RIFF HARDER

Monday, March 23rd, 2009 at 12:00pm by

corpuspx2Based on the band name and album title, I wasn’t sure what to expect from these guys: Black Metal? Dark Ambient? Martial Industrial? Folk Metal? Somewhat generic Christian Metalcore?

Listening to the album opener “Parade Of Scars,” the telltale similarities to As I Lay Dying are immediately and glaringly apparent. Somewhat generic Christian Metalcore it is, then. I don’t know much about metalcore, but it seems like being into Jesus is an entrance requirement. Is there a sign hanging in Guitar Center across the country reading “You Must Be At Least This Filled With The Holy Spirit To Buy A Black Jackson Flying V and Line 6 Stack?”

Anyway, Corpus Christi are actually quite a bit better than As I Lay Dying, kind of like they took the same recipe and instead of adding a cup of boring douchelord sauce, they only added a few tablespoons. Not being a big metalcore fan, I can’t attest to the originality of the songs but the riffs are pretty catchy and melodic at points, some of them are actually quite well written (and by “well written” I mean they are decent rip-offs of God Forbid and/or Killswitch Engage). The obligatory clean vocals aren’t quite as pussified as most of the other bands I’ve heard. And the songwriting is up to par, which is better than you can say for a lot of metalcore bands.

And on a non-musical note, one of the guitarists is named John Christman, which is the most hilariously appropriate stage name I’ve ever heard; so points are added there. And ,judging by the pictures on their Myspace page, they clearly don’t get fashion tips from the movies Labyrinth or Heavy Metal Parking Lot, a plus in my book. Nary a girl jean or scene haircut in sight!

Which is not to say that much here is great, or even good. The aforementioned obligatory clean vocals, while not quite a ten on the grating scale, are just about as generic as it gets. These guys love the “pretty” hardcore riffs, which, again, is cookie-cutter bullshit, and even when they are not going for the Atticus crowd (did I get that right, metalcore fans?), the riffs are often just fucking boring.

The lyrics for The Darker Shades Of White (generously provided on their Myspace blog) are a really weird (by “weird” I mean “dumb as fuck”) mixture of tough-guy hardcore, breakup songs, and evangelical sermonizing. “Fight For Your King” features the lyric “I have fear in deep emotions/ Come and lift me out of the dark.” You don’t like deep emotions OR darkness? That’s about as not metal as it fucking gets, brohan.

Songs like “Prodigal” abound, which is to say songs about wishing you were dead and on your way to heaven. Its funny in an extraordinarily dumb way, considering there’s also anti-suicide tracks. If Jesus really wanted you up there that badly, he wouldn’t mind if you offed yourself, and, really, we wouldn’t either.

I think Jesus-loving metal can be totally badass and cool, and I am the first person to call for separating the music from the men making it. But something about these guys just reeks of pulling punches. It feels like Corpus Christi could be bringing some serious damage, but don’t want to get too heavy or brutal out of fear that it might be a sin. In other words, they’re no Impending Doom. They’re also no Training for Utopia, and they’re definitely no Ninety Pound Wuss. Still, The Darker Shades Of White can be a fun, catchy, and enjoyable record just as often as it can be a dull, lifeless audio sleeping pill. All said, it’s nothing to write home about, but I would imagine genre enthusiasts/Pentecostals will be into it.

metal hornsmetal horns

(two out of five horns)

-RM

Tags: ,
  • \m/Eluveitie\m/

    Haha Christman eh? Try Anberlin’s Stephen Christian

    This was a confusing review to read, maybe it was just me but it seemed full of contradictions. At the end, I wasn’t given a clear picture of why I should or shouldn’t listen to this band, the opinions in the review flip-flopped too much. A little more focus would be helpful and much appreciated.

  • Sean

    While I can not write off any good metal band, this whole As I Lay Dying/UnderOath imitation routine is becoming ridiculous. But….. this is good listening, and there’s been years where metal wasn’t the biggest thing- or we’d have to settle for the least worst….

  • Byron W.

    I actually quite like this album, and I’m not even into religion of any sort…
    It just doesn’t bother me that much… (the religious aspects of the lyrics et al)

  • http://invisibleoranges.com Invisible Oranges

    There’s a rather un-Christian black metal band from Portugal called Corpus Christii that’s much better than this.

    • Mikhail

      Yeah, i agree, Corpus Christii (the true corpus christii black metal band and not some faggot christian band who decided to take an i out of it and try to claim that original) is way better than this trash.

      hail black metal and the true corpus christii

  • ANDY

    TRAINING FOR UTOPIA DESTROYS

  • Blake

    I agree with \m/Eluveitie\m/: This review, while witty, reads more as a sweeping “genre bash” on metalcore and Christian music than the album itself. It wasn’t until the last paragraph that it really got to the point. But that was after reading through a bunch of backhanded compliments (“by ‘well-written,’ I mean they are decent ripoffs…”) and blanket statements (“Did I get that right, metalcore fans?”).

    Seems some more research is needed on the genres before penning a review.

  • TheOneAndOnly

    I loved how well written this review was,I fell in love with this guys techniques,what a great review! This has been my favorite thus far!

  • \m/Eluveitie\m/

    TheOneAndOnly: Are you Rob Miles or his mom?

  • Beerd

    Why is it that you guys claim not to have any problem with Christian metal? Yet whenever I read a review for a Christian bands’ album/ live show/ whatever, you guys always have something negative to say about them. Like, Becoming The Archetype and their prayer team. You put that down and put down the beliefs of that band (which I, in case you didn’t know am a Christian too and take offense as well). I get it, you guys are Jewish. Not very serious about that either, from what I’ve read and seen on this site. Oh, and I know you guys love beards, so check out the beard on the bassist of A Plea For Purging. But, then again, you might have to say something positive about a Christian band and I know that will just ruin your metal cred, so sorry. Have you guys even considered accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior and repenting (true meaning) from your life of sin?

  • Beerd

    One more thing: Jesus didn’t just live, die and rise again for some, He did it for all. How many of you can say that your god (or lack thereof) has suffered and died for you? How many of you can say that your god goes through whatever your going through with you? I know I will get bashed for this. But, you know what? It won’t do anything to discourage me or bring me down. I will not stop coming to this site either. All it will do is reach someone for my Lord and to bring the Good News to someone who hasn’t heard it before. It will also further prove the hypocrisy of this world and non-Christians as well.

  • Beastmaster

    I’m gonna have to disagree with this review. I find AILD vastly superior to this garbage… If people want to complain about Metalcore Cookie Cutter BS, this is definitely the band for you. I’d take all the generic “Deathcore” bands in the world over this crap. I just can’t stand some of the pussy Metal that get’s put out…

    I enjoy Metal that alot of people hate, but this band does not interest me at all.

  • http://fuckjesus keepitwolf

    yo beerd have you even considered that there is no historical evidence at all that supports that jesus ever existed? why do christians always make such shitty music? more bands should rip off stryper

  • Malacoda

    I hate to say it, but I like As I Lay Dying, and they are way better than this crap. Also, the review is completely biased; I understand that of course on a metal website there will be some but this guy is pretty over the top. I prefer the Axl/Vince reviews, they are more accurate of just examining the music.

  • Beerd

    ORLY? Why do you need historical evidence to believe in God? It’s called “believing without seeing” Do pagans beg for historical evidence? Exactly why people need to stop letting religion control their thoughts. Most people who choose to reject Christ have a certain view of the Church and Christ because of religion. And, the historical evidence is there, just watch the History Channel some time or research it. Oh, and ever heard of Soul Embraced, Trenches, The Famine, Mortification, Extol? I could go on, but just start with those ones. Oh, and next time you wanna attack my beliefs or my musical tastes, you might want to think out your response a little more. And, to the reviewer: Are you seriously criticizing this band’s lyrics? Have you listened to any metal lyrics in your life? Most of them are very very silly but try to be passed off as “serious.”

  • Beerd

    ORLY? Why do you need historical evidence to believe in God? It’s called “believing without seeing” Exactly why people need to stop letting religion control their thoughts. Most people who choose to reject Christ have a certain view of the Church and Christ because of religion. And, the historical evidence is there, just watch the History Channel some time or research it. Oh, and ever heard of Soul Embraced, Trenches, The Famine, Mortification, Extol? I could go on, but just start with those ones. Oh, and next time you wanna attack my beliefs or my musical tastes, you might want to think out your response a little more. And, to the reviewer: Are you seriously criticizing this band’s lyrics? Have you listened to any metal lyrics in your life? Most of them are very very silly but try to be passed off as “serious.”

  • http://www.jordanmaxwell.com keepitwolf

    i watch the history channel all the time and have for a long time. sorry but there is no evidence to support it, no historian from the time who even mentions jesus. pagans are christians bro.. christians ripped off the pagan belief system. they worship the same thing its called astrotheology. this band sucks for real

  • JVSTIN.

    CHRISTIANS OUT OF METAL!

  • tomass

    “keepitwolf” buddy you really needa do some research about Jesus. There is more evidence that Jesus was a historical figure than any other person around at that time! There is more manuscript evidence that Jesus of Nazereth exsisted then that of Tiberious Caesar, Alexander the Great, or even Plato. One who doubts whether any of these guys exsisted would be shuned yet when we say that Jesus Christ exsisted we get ridiculed.
    if you’ve got questions feel free to ask away, but from where i stand, and all intellegent historians today, you will find the Jesus exsisted.

  • tomass

    just so you know i was a little hypocritical in bringing forth my point of view. i would say most historians today believe Jesus exsisted, not “all intellegent”… sorry if i offended, but yeah the evidence is there… and by research i didnt just look up on wikipedia, if you want references let me know

  • tomass

    oh and all you dissing metalcore bands are so cliche metal fanatics :P whatever happened to not giving a fuck?

  • http://FUCKYAMOTHER.COM jOHNNY hAYT

    WHO CARES WHETHER JESUS EXISTED OR NOT HE’S A CUNT.

    FUCK YOU ALL.

  • keepitwolf

    give me the reference to plato. i have most of his writings and i have never seen him mention jesus. and alexander the great and tiberious are several decades if not centuries later so they wouldnt be the best reference point. no historians at the time of jesus mentions him. i believe the first historian who sited jesus as a real life person was justin martyr and that was also decades if not centuries after his “resurrection”. so…. research astrology. any intelligent historian will also tell you the story of jesus matches several other messiah archetypes thousands of years before the time of christ.

    by the way no one is bashing all metalcore they are bashing shit metalcore ie corpus christi

    • Flo

      What?
      You guys just make me sad. :(
      Guys, where have you gained your knowledge from, some TV show? COME ON!
      There is PLENTY of evidence and not even the most liberal theologans that I know (and a very good friend of mine is one, do deny those FACTS!)
      Take Flavius Josephus for example, he wrote about Jesus.
      Then there is Justinus Martyr who makes references to Jesus being cruzified under Pilate and he writes, that one could read that in the records of Pontius Pilate.
      Thallus 52.A.D. (a non-christian) is being quoted by Africanus for talking about the darkness that came upon the earth when Jesus was being cruzified
      And there is some other…
      Not to mention prophecies like Isaiah 53 and Daniel 7:24ff + all the Old Testament that is full of a blood sacrifice that has to be done for the atonement of sin and the idea of a messiah that needs to come to fulfill that… You can find that simpley everywhere in the feasts of Israel, especially in the Exodus from egypt and so forth.
      God, as a judgement kills all the firstborn, and only leaves those alive where he finds the blood of the lamb slayn before on the door post.
      Then Moses leads the children of Israel out of slavery (sin), through the red sea (baptism) into the promised land (to God)
      What was the matter of survival? – Right. The blood of an innocent lamb on the door post.
      If your sins are not covered by the Blood of Jesus you will face damnation on judgement day.
      Take forgiveness as long as its there.

      There is plenty of evidence, God has not covered himself up for the one who truly wants to seek and find him.
      But it may very well be that some of you are not really interested in that…
      Well, judgement will come, see to it that you don’t need to carry all your sin in front of the throne of God, but seek forgiveness as long as you can get it.
      And there’s only one name in which you will be forgiven of your sins, this name is Jesus Christ.
      Please think about that and don’t just close your eyes.
      Seek forgiveness, as long as there is forgiveness.

  • Carl

    I am an Atheist and I really like As I Lay Dying. I do not think of them as a Christian Band because although they are Christians, they do not push Christianity. They are just a really good metal band to me who do not use abrasive lyrics, which is almost refreshing considering all the bands that offer the opposite (and any Opeth fan cannot bash me for saying that because that would make you a hypocrite).

    It is bands like Chorpus Christi however who do test my patience. I need to ask all the fans of this music . . .

    IF JESUS LOVES YOU SO MUCH, WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU HAVE TO SCREAM ABOUT?

  • mickey-luv

    Man, it must suck to love jesus AND metal…what do you do? Just decide not to listen to morbid angel and slayer? Or listen and feel bad? Questions, questions…

  • tomass

    I Didnt say these people make reference to Jesus i am saying that they are less accurate than the new testament, Homer’s book Iliad is said to have been written in 800B.C yet the earliest copy ever found of his is dated to 400B.C. There were 643 copies found of his writting. The new testament on the other hand was written between 50-100A.D, and the earliest copies recovered were less than a hundred years after. you could argue that the old testament was a hoax to fool everyone, but how could that account for the magnitude to which the new testament spread, and christianity grew?
    Plato wrote his books in 400bc. except no copy has been found dated back more than AD 900, which is over 1300 years before he is said to have written.
    So historians believe that most of the new testament is reliable just as they do the writtings of plato. note the difference in dates to the first copies of each recorded.
    i havent even gone into the amount of manuscripts were produced. if you would like post your email and i’ll send you a whole bunch of references and books you could study on this topic.

    I’m only 17 so i might not have the same amount of experience in this area but i’m happy to put my case forward. I would enjoy emailing you about these topics if you like.

  • tomass

    By the way i’m not trying to knock any religon here, and i respect everyones beliefs, but i’m definatly happy to put forward my opinions from researching this.

  • diego colombia

    many of u does not believe in jesus, but have u consider that our time line sistem of years start with the born of jesus? that´s just one of many examples of how u r connected with the idea of him…..History channel is crap, is a really bad channel, if u wanna watch good shows about this kind of topics, just watch Discovery o Nat Geo… and finally, yes!! there are historical proofs about jesus living on earth as Budda and Mahoma too…and how I know this? Im a graduated historian from one of the best universities in south america… sorry for my english

  • JVSTIN.

    I take it back. ZAO slays. PREACHY CHRISTIANS OUT OF METAL!

  • Indeed

    Did you just call this better than As I Lay Dying? Just because a bunch of bands has copied their sound dosn’t make them the generic ones. And their new cd isn’t even like the generic stuff. And even the older ones were still kick ass.

  • Indeed

    And the last comment about wishing the were dead on the way to heaven was pretty fuckin’ funny.

  • Jesus

    Jesus didn’t exist you dense fucks, and there’s NO proof of him! All proof is people writing about him many years after he supposedly existed. If that’s proof, you’re a retard.

    • Alex Monro

      Based on that logic there’s no real proof of any historical person/event and we have to assume that absolutley everything is a lie not just religion but everything. which is clearly fucking stupid