Maylene And The Sons Of Disaster - III
Rating
RIYL
He Is LegendEvery Time I Die
Cancer Bats
Molly Hatchet
Release Date
06/23/2009
Label
Ferret MusicTracklist
1. Waiting On My Deathbed2. Settling Scores By Burning Bridges
3. Just A Shock
4. Last Train Coming
5. Step Up (I'm On It)
6. Listen Close
7. The Old Iron Hills
8. No Good Son
9. Harvest Moon Hanging
10. Oh Lonely Grave
11. The End Is Here...The End is Beautiful
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When Dallas Taylor was “asked to leave” Underoath in 2003, many fans were concerned about what the next steps for both him and Underoath were going to be. Now, years later, we all know that Underoath has gone on to do huge things and Dallas fashioned one of the fastest growing bands in today’s metalcore scene, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster. MATSOD started as a heavy southern metal band on their debut album, presenting an in your face attitude and by the time their second album was released they were on a larger label and displayed a much larger sound incorporating more blues and rock oriented riffs. Many speculated what was next for the boys from Alabama by questioning the band’s heaviness on II, forgetting the fact that only the best of the best mature in sound while still holding down their roots. Well, that’s exactly what Maylene did, they grew into band with a colossal sound that, quite frankly, other bands in the genre should fear. Now set to release their third album, respectively titled III, they are out to prove they aren’t just Dallas Taylor’s “second band” with the aim of demonstrating some of the most brilliant music this scene has yet to see.
III has a tremendous amount of talent flaunted on it, and you don’t have to wait for any particular track to hear it since it is exhibited right from the get go. “Waiting On My Deathbed” gets things rolling with the twangin’ southern sound you would expect from these guys. The first minute and a half of the track is built up by what sounds to be a banjo, or a gnarly ass resonator guitar, and without any warning or hesitation surges right in to the body of the song which is comprised of some steady yet aggressive drum work, rifftastic grooves and crisp solos. Moreover, Dallas seems to be on top of his game with his vocals. The album continues with the whole "no hesitation" factor on the subsequent track “Settling Scores By Burning Bridges”. Dallas heaves a barreling barrage of vocals our way, meticulously placed on top of a relentless tempo courtesy of the three-man firing squad of axe-men. Need I mention the sickness that is brought by way of guitar solos again? Track three, “Just a Shock”, seems to be the first single off the album, and it delivers some impeccable guitar work throughout the entire run time.
Now, I don’t know about anyone else, but when I first get a new CD, I like to skim through the first minute or so of each track, just to get a feel for what lays ahead, and then I’ll go back and listen to the entire album. Whelp, as history would have it, this time around was no different, but one track in particular grabbed my attention for the entire length of the song. I started scanning through the album and I came across track six, “Listen Close”. It’s a bit of a different sound for these southern boys but guess what… it works! No screaming, no breakdowns, no two steps, just good old rock n’ roll. Clean vocals all the way through, hooks to keep your head bobbing and foot stompin’ the whole time, and an unexpected talk box solo at the end of the track.
“Step Up (I’m On It)” and “The Old Iron Hills” are two more notable tracks on III. Both songs have hard-hitting drum work and ooze southern rock riffs all over the place. However, the last track that needs extensive discussion is track ten, “Oh Lonely Grave”. “Oh Lonely Grave” displays how talented this band truly is. Starting with a bit of a bluegrass feel, the song gives a down-home sentiment and then astonishingly transitions into Maylene’s heaviest moment yet. It’s like Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, and Sabbath morphed in to one giant, ‘roid infested son of the south. Oh! Don’t forget the string arrangement the boys throw in there too!
To be completely honest with everyone that reads this, it’s going to be difficult to write a conclusion to this review. How does one put words to something that is so amazing? Seriously, for anyone that has said, “They’ve gone soft,” or, “They would be nothing without Dallas,” just stop it. Stop it right now! The release of III will now put everyone’s misconceptions of the band to rest. Big things are definitely in store for Maylene’s future. Maybe it’s the fresh lineup that gave these guys a novel swagger on the new full length. Whatever it was, I sure am glad it happened because it is going to be hard for other bands to top this release.
--Bill Lohr
Comments
Coopersburg, PA
No doubt a good, talented band...just can't get into any of their albums though.
Lehigh Valley, PA
Did you give this one a try?
Raleigh, NC
I absolutely cannot wait for this to leak. This has me more excited than a lot of stuff coming up. Good review, Bill.
Coopersburg, PA
I heard whatever they had on myspace. It was good, I'm just not into this style of music - except for ETID. For people that like the southern rock/metal/harcore stuff, I can see how this would be a wet dream for them haha.
Atascadero, CA
album is tits. way into this a whole hell of a lot more than anything else they've previously released.
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West Haven, CT
I like/despise the whole "metalcore/rock/southern rock" brand of music.
I was down when He Is Legend jumped head first into it.
This is good I guess. It sort of annoys me at times.
I have to give it a few spins.
The Cityscape Burns Brighter By The Hour.
Lehigh Valley, PA
Yea, I feel this album is going to slingshot these guys above and beyond everyone.
Thanks Cody.
Nick, you know how I am with southern rock, so yes...my dreams are in fact wet, as you so delicately put it. ha.
Coopersburg, PA
haha, maybe i'll give the whole album a shot - people seem to be digging it.
Kansas
pumped for this!
http://rateyourmusic.com/~benny06
Baton Rouge
Yeah, I've never been a big fan, but the stuff I've heard from this I've loved. This needs to hurry up and come out.
Boobs
http://thenicsperiment.blogspot.com/
Dubuque
I'm with Bill on this one. I think the guys will garner a bigger crowd now with this record because it's nothing like the previous two. At least in my opinion.
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Somewhere in New York
I'm a huge fan of this review. While I haven't heard anything from the album yet, saw them live at Soundwave and was blown away by their performance. Dallas is just full on intense, and a bit strange. Anyways, I'm stoked to hear this, I just need to get away from the shit internet policy in Australia.
"If someone gives you a kazoo and toots around the house to MTV, they're not gonna fuck you." - David Cross
Lehigh Valley, PA
Thanks for being a huge fan of the review. I will send you an autographed copy of the album if you would like hahaha.
Bill i would name my first born after you if you send me that signed copie my way. hahahaha your review is only making more anxious for 3 now.
Somewhere in New York
Hey Bill, Maylene seems pretty happy about the review, enough to give you some mention: blog
"If someone gives you a kazoo and toots around the house to MTV, they're not gonna fuck you." - David Cross
Dubuque
Maylene has to like us. Haha, I think the past 3 albums have all gotten 4+ stars.
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Lehigh Valley, PA
I just tinkled in my pants a little.
Raleigh, NC
This is not a hardcore album. This is straight up Southern rock, and I love it.
Minnesota
Eh, this is ok. It's like a modern day Motorhead... which isn't necessarily a positive in my book. Definitely listenable, but it's not something I'll be coming back to.
However, with all of that said, this is definitely a genre of music that has not been seeing a lot of releases on shelves, so that should definitely help out Maylene from a sales and noteriety perspective (or at least I would assume so).
Oh yeah, and Dallas does sound a lot like Ozzy in certain spots (like on "Just a Shock").
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Atascadero, CA
Yea at first listen it was pretty rad, now after a few it's settled into a more middle of the road release. Has some solid tracks though that I will be coming back to, just not super excited album the album as a whole. We're supposed to be streaming it, I'm guessing tomorrow so everyone can leave some opinions.
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Baton Rouge
I like some tracks a lot (Just a Shock, especially), but overall I think this is good, not great. I don't regret the $7.99 I dropped, but like Rick said in another thread, past $12 bucks, I don't think so.
Boobs
http://thenicsperiment.blogspot.com/