As I Lay Dying - The Powerless Rise

Artist: As I Lay Dying
Album: The Powerless Rise
Release Date: 5/11/10
Label: Metal Blade Records

When listening to so much of a genre, only certain artists can really shine through. In succeeding, a very small amount will in fact set the pace for the scene. As I Lay Dying have done this successfully with their past releases in the metalcore genre, which were highly acclaimed, even garnering a Grammy nomination. With their newest album however, they surpass An Ocean Between Us to bring a very mature sound. The Powerless Rise seems to stand out from their other releases as extremely hard-hitting, lyrically especially.

Well As I Lay Dying have not changed their overall sound, they have matured it for sure. Deeper growls from Tim Lambesis are heard on the album, along with the fitting singing at times throughout the album, all done strongly. Among the highlights, "Upside Down Kingdom" comes as the track that best explains the theme of the album. It's intro seems to greet the listener like an old friend and breaks into powerful riffs, accompanied by fantastic drumming. Lambesis' vocals particularly stand out in the chorus, singing "Simplicity is not a curse where strength is humbled, and the powerless rise, this is a kingdom born upside-down."

Another highlight is "Parallels," composed of chugging guitars, along with Tim's thick screams. The album's first single "Beyond Our Suffering" is brutal and has a great message about reaching out to those suffering in our world today. Besides this song, the album is filled with a message that we live in a broken society, but there is hope. The hope they talk about is Jesus, although not explicitly stated in the lyrics. This being said, As I Lay Dying may have crafted one of the best metal albums of the year.

Rating: 9/10 The Powerless Rise from As I Lay Dying easily has the potential to be one of the year's best albums in the heavy genre. It has everything that you could expect from the band and much more. AILD are one of the most prominent artists out there today, enough said.

Tracklisting:

1. Beyond Our Suffering
2. Anodyne Sea
3. Without Conclusion
4. Parallels
5. The Plague
6. Anger and Apathy
7. Condemned
8. Upside Down Kingdom
9. Vacancy
10. The Only Constant Is Change
11. The Blinding of False Light

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