Antagonist - World In Decline
Rating
RIYL
Killswitch EngageSilent Civilian
Light This City
Release Date
08/17/2010
Label
Prosthetic RecordsTracklist
1. Bane of Existence2. Sasha Grey
3. Disguised in White
4. God on Fire
5. Wake Up and Smell The Lies
6. New Human
7. A Voice Unspoken
8. Already Dead
9. Darkest Darkness
10. World in Decline
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Whittier, CA's own Antagonist are back with their fourth full length album, World in Decline. Their second on Prosthetic Records, World in Decline happens to be the group's angriest work yet. Featuring 10 tracks of their patented thrashy hardcore, the band is doing a good job of not letting their age get to them. Twelve years as a band can often lead to more comfort than is welcome, yet the group hasn't let that sneak up on them. World in Decline sounds different from their previous albums in that it is faster, darker, and all around more serious. Does it work well for the group? Absolutely.
The album opens with “Bane of Existence,” a solid opener but ultimately the weakest effort on the album. The first single, “Sasha Grey,” picks up where “Bane” leaves off, and for good measure; it is full of energy, killer guitar work, and a direct message to Hollywood - definitely packing a punch that sets the tone for the rest of the album. “Disguised in White” opens with a pseudo-Metallica riff and continues the tone of the album, this time carrying a message critical of racism. Other standout tracks include “God on Fire,” “Wake Up and Smell the Lies,” and “A Voice Unspoken,” which ends up sounding much like Exist-era Antagonist for those fans looking for something more akin to their last album. One of the more refreshing things about this album is that while the band retains much of the same song structure throughout, they tend to spruce up the later tracks with interludes, guest vocals by Jared Monette of Arsonists Get All The Girls and John Strachan of The Funeral Pyre, and, not surprisingly, even more anger.
World in Decline isn't a groundbreaking album, nor is it one of the best of the year, but it's one of those rare efforts where there isn't a single bad song. Each one is either a solid track or a stand-out, but nothing is un-listenable, and each one contributes its own part to the whole of the album. The fourth disc by Antagonist doesn't have any of the clean vocals or major-key melodies that made Exist catchy, but they make up for that with a solid foundation and a message. If you're a fan of Antagonist at all, this is definitely a must-have, and even if you're just a fan of the RIYL bands, this is still worth checking out.
--Cody Rogers
Comments
Minnesota
I'll agree with you that there isn't a single bad song, but there also isn't a single amazing track either. This album really felt like one long, run-on song. I feel the band lacks dynamics and that's what is really holding them back. I do love the Twelve Tribes-esque screaming style, though.
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Raleigh, NC
Yeah, that's why I spoke so highly but gave it a 3.5 and not something higher. Exist had some good stand-out stuff, and I still really dig this band. They're awesome live, as well.