A Hero A Fake - Let Oceans Lie
Rating
RIYL
Between the Buried and MeWithin the Ruins
Farewell to Freeway
Release Date
01/19/2010
Label
Victory RecordsTracklist
1. Our Summit, This World2. Swallowed By the Sea
3. Elk River Falls
4. Sleepstate
5. Astronomical
6. Dear
7. Images
8. Let Oceans Lie
9. Eckhart
10. Impart Your Loss
11. A Year in Passing
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A Hero A Fake are a relatively new progressive metalcore band hailing from Charlotte, NC. They released their first album, Volatile, on Victory Records last year, and I admit that when I first listened to them a couple of years ago, I immediately discarded them as a Between the Buried and Me rip-off. They're obviously trying to be a progressive band, and I don't think it would be out of line to say that Victory may be trying to fill the now-empty token progressive spot in their roster with these guys. I don't know how well they'll cover that absence, but the band at least has a solid release under their belt with Let Oceans Lie.
The eleven-song outing begins with a track called “Our Summit, This World,” showcasing both their technical skill and metalcore-appropriate sense of melody. They also break out the typical slightly-whiny hook singing and use it to their own effect. The song serves as a precursor to the rest of the album, which is very similar in style and structure. “Swallowed By The Sea” is another typical track for the band, featuring some nice singing, proficient guitar work, and an energetic ending. “Elk River Falls” is a decidedly metalcore track, and “Sleepstate” is more of the same, featuring the exceptional drumming and riffing that the group makes their name with. “Astronomical,” the fifth song of the album, features a particularly nice singing section that is followed by a technical and melodic ending. This is one of the more definitive songs on the album, which is important as the band's style isn't that unique in the first place.
“Dear,” the album's sixth song, begins with a typical nu-prog King Crimson riff, but quickly evolves into one of the better tracks on the effort. There are many obvious cues from other bands in the song, but if anything, it foreshadows a glimpse of their hopefully more coherent and unique future. If they can further expand on this type of songwriting in the coming years, while imparting more of their own sound on the final product, they'll have the perfect opportunity to gain a larger following. While “Dear” is a fantastic song, the next song is an anomaly in every sense of the word. The band breaks out an emo ballad for the seventh track, complete with whiny singing, acoustic guitar, and lyrics like, “Please don't leave me dying here.” It rattles my brain to try and come up with any sort of justification for the completely out of place song. The album's title track barely even saves the day from the pitiful “Images”. The opening riff of “Let Oceans Lie” is one of the best I've heard so far this year, and the singing in the chorus echoes the band's style well. A decent breakdown also fits the bill for the song, and with that, we're onto “Eckhart”. The ninth track features an absolutely jaw-dropping flamenco portion, which is obviously something new for the genre. It's executed well, and is easily one of my favorite parts of the album.
The final song on the album, “A Year in Passing,” is of course 15 minutes long. Much like the rest of the album, the melodies are very upbeat and major sounding, eventually ending about the 8 minute mark. A few minutes of crickets chirping lead us to a surprise track, and the album finally subsides. All in all, Let Oceans Lie is a decent sophomore effort, but there aren't really any defining songs or moments, nor is the band's style all that unique. They will surely only get better from here, but let's hope that they can make the most of their talent and put more than just a year of effort into their next album. If not, say hello to Clone Band #456.
--Cody Rogers
Comments
Chapel Hill, NC
Holy shit, another one! See my comment in the Onward To Olympas album review.
Good review though, Cody!
Minnesota
Yeah, NC metalcore bands are popping up everywhere. Seems that's the only genre anyone in the state knows how to play.
Hillsborough, NC
Thanks man. It's definitely a growing trend. I was excited to see some older, stagnant NC bands call it quits in hopes of propelling some new bands forward, but if this is what we get, then let's please go back...
Chapel Hill, NC
It's the trickle-down effect from bands like From Here On, Undying, Aria, Azazel, Prayer For Cleansing, and more recently BTBAM, Beloved, Bloodjinn and Glass Casket. The sad thing is most of the new bands around here would probably only know Prayer For Cleansing from that first group.
Minnesota
Is it just me or is the production on this album really muddy? Seems really half-assed and sloppy.
Hillsborough, NC
Yeah, and I think the only way people are going to know bands from the first group are from going backwards with BTBAM, seeing as how most of their members played a part in those bands. I really don't know where the scene here is headed, but I do think that this is the point where things need to either change, or die.
And Rick, the bass sounds terrible. I don't know why people are going for the really, really bassy bass guitar that muddies the guy's playing so much that you can't hear what he's doing.
Dubuque
Cody, I wasn't expecting a 3+ review from you from what you stated before I sent this.
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Hillsborough, NC
Believe me, neither was I. This surprised me, and Carnifex might end up the same way.
Leeds, England
This is much better than their debut. Big step up. Hopefully they'll release something mindblowing on the next one :
Rick, do you have the initial leak or the proper scene/cd rip? Cos the original was a webrip. Still, production isn't the greatest, but it's far from bad.
Maine
I just gave this one a spin, and it's actually pretty good
Everyone on the dancefloor is doomed!