"The World Is Λ Thorn" Album Review

Track Listing:

01. Descending Upon Us
02. LifeWar
03. Collapsing (ft. Björn "Speed" Strid of Soilwork)
04. This Is The Line
05. Driving Nails
06. The World Is a Thorn
07. Tie This Around Your Neck
08. Just Breathe (ft. Christian Älvestam of Miseration)
09. Shallow Water
10. Feel As Though You Could (ft. Dave Peters of Throwdown)
11. Blood In The Tears
12. Desire the Pain (DELUXE EDITION)
13. Driving Nails (String Mix) (DELUXE EDITION)

Why must great bands make us wait a long time for albums? It seems like I'm running into that problem a lot...Anyways, Demon Hunter has returned! Two new members and two LONG years later, they've finally thrust themselves back into the Christian music spot light, bringing their signature metalcore style and dark lyrics. However, is this a new sign of things to come for the future of the band, or is it a cookie cutter impression of their albums before?

Something DH has always been so good at is taking the Biblical word and throwing it in your face like a train hitting a deer; not an easy task for any Christian band these days. For those who have no idea who these guys are lyrically, think of them like this: these guys bring out those insecurities in your faith that you didn't realize you had. Needless to say, by listening to this album, you just may feel dirty about yourself, as they have that signature metal feel of "you're not doing it right; this is how it should be done sucka!"

This is evident in one of the most intense songs on the album, "Tie This Around Your Neck", as the lyrics read 'This is the age of the dead; the generation of pagan and self-led. You can feel the bones shatter beneath our feet.' Not an easy thing for anyone to hear, but it's true. But if you've read my blogs for more than 10 minutes, you know that I preach heavily on this kind of stuff.

But I digress...

So how are the songs? Fast. Heavy. Intense. Brutal. Chaotic. This is probably one of their most technical albums as they very smoothly transition from the growling they are famous for, to a clean sonnet of guitar and lyrics, back to the fire and intensity they have brought us for over 10 years. Nowhere is this more evident than in the song "Shallow Water", which can only be described as a heavy ballad. It sounds as if they are fed up with our sinful society, claiming 'pray for the rain; let it redeem their lives'.

"Collapsing" is probably the track most people have heard from this album. It is, more or less, a summary of every single song Demon Hunter has ever produced; very clean in some places, intense in others, causing a sense of euphoric head-banging in every one who listens. "Feel As Though You Could" may bring some to a feeling of absolute exhaustion; lots of time signature changes and heavy guitars, not including a chorus that feels as it is a break away from an intensive, stressful society some may live.

There is a reason I'm not going as in depth with some of the musical aspects of the album. Frankly, I'm not trying to do it on purpose, but there is really no other way to put it: it sounds like every other Demon Hunter album. This is definitely not a bad thing. They still bring those amazing ballads they do so well, such as "Blood In The Tears" and "Driving Nails". By the way, if you are reading this, I highly suggest you at least listen to those two songs, because it may bring out a feeling in you that you've never thought would come from a metal album, sorrow.

Now for my favorite time, short and sweet descriptions of songs! *Insert catchy theme music*! "Descending Upon Us" is an amazing way to start off the album, truly epic and brutal. "LifeWar" is so good, yet so short; which is a huge mistake on their part, as it brings gargantuan potential! "This Is The Line" is a great song...that's all I really have to say about that...nice drumming in the bridge though! "Just Breathe" and "Feel As Though You Could" provide great fillers for the heat this album brings, as they are fast, heavy, and make you wish they would never end.

Overall, DH brings another great metal addiction that won't be cured for a while. Despite the fact that it is very similar to their other albums, it isn't bad. At all. I don't think it'll bring in too many new metal fans though.

Pros:

• A headbangers paradise
• Brings out a dark side of christianity most people don't see
• Good for a quick rockin' out session
• The vocals and drumming are supremely good
• Grade-A ballads

Cons:

• A lot of the same guitar riffs
• Not much differentiality between some tracks
• One or two more truly brutal tracks couldn't hurt
• Mainly for metal heads. Sorry, Grandma...

Overall: 4/5

Recommended Downloads:

1. Descending Upon Us
2. Collapsing
3. Driving Nails
4. Tie This Around Your Neck
5. Blood In The Tears