Molotov Solution - The Harbinger
Rating
RIYL
War From a Harlot's MouthAnimosity
Whitechapel
Release Date
06/09/2009
Label
Metal BladeTracklist
1. Warlords2. Rule by Secrecy
3. Only the Dead
4. Atrum Inritus
5. Corpus Imperium
6. Monolithic Apparatus
7. The Harbinger
8. Enslaved
9. Awakening
10. Living Proof
11. The Dawn of Ascendency
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Las Vegas, Nevada deathcore band Molotov Solution has been developing a name and sound for themselves for a few years now. They gained recognition in 2006 with half of a split along side German band War From a Harlot's Mouth, and from there they released a self-titled album on Twelve Gauge Records. The band, however, isn't recognizable by their music, but their lyrics. The politically charged band writes with an edge of government conspiracy and that doesn't change on their new disc. The Harbinger, released on Metal Blade Records, is a stab at American government that alerts listeners to what the band calls a struggle between freedom, security, tyranny, and liberty.
The main focus of the album is its incendiary lyrics, which do not hesitate to call our current president a “deceiver of hope”. While this may not sit well with some listeners, those who have a political apathy or agree with the band will surely be able to relate to their anger, if not their message. The vocal delivery, courtesy of new vocalist Nick Arthur, is your typical “highs” and “lows”, double-tracked in the studio. Though nothing new, his vocals suit the band well in tone. Recorded with Tim Lambesis of As I Lay Dying fame at his San Diego, CA studio, the album's production is flawless. There are no audible mistakes to be found, and if forced to pick a weakness, the bass guitar could be seen as low in the mix.
The album's opener, “Warlords”, is a fluid and dynamic track that clearly delineates the band's message in the final breakdown. “Rule by Secrecy” is next and is the first of four great songs on the record. “Atrum Inritus” is a short song but notable for its melodic appeal that All Shall Perish would be proud of. The eponymous track seven is a no-holds barred attack at America's current president, but besides being notable for this, it features a fantastically written guitar solo. Rounding out these songs is “Living Proof”, the second to last on the album. It's a solid song with an indulgent breakdown but fares much better than half of album. There are a couple of songs in between these that are solid and worthy of a listen, but there are also a few bones to pick with the album.
Take “Only the Dead”, for instance. The song steps outside of the band's political game by pulling the religion card, which is not where this band needs to head. While the song is musically strong, the Christian bashing has been beaten to death more than the political agenda the band preaches. The eighth track is sadly typical deathcore fare with lyrics like, “Get on your knees and beg,” and, “You dug your own grave”. It looks like Emmure isn't the only Acacia Strain copycat. “Awakening” is also surely a lyrical debacle. Lyrics like, “I don't want to set the world on fire, I just want to see you burn,” seem to contradict the band's entire political standpoint and the point of their album. The last song, “The Dawn of Ascendency”, could have been seen coming from a mile away. First of all, as the album's closer it is twice the average song length of the album and contains a semi-melodic guitar hook. Trying to set the listener up through the rhetorical appeal of pathos, it echoes the band's initial political struggle, but that's about it. The band should have stuck to an extended breakdown of some sort, which they could have done without question.
Honestly, The Harbinger is a boring CD. While most of the songs are musically sound, some of the album's contradictions just make it cringe-worthy and obviously very amateur. Also, being musically sound doesn't mean entertaining, which you can see as the album loses steam in the middle. As a sophomore effort, it doesn't forge new ground and is actually somewhat of a step back for the band. While their signing to Metal Blade Records is a congratulatory achievement, the band could have waited more than a year in between this album and their self-titled debut. If you're a fan of the band, then by all means pick this album up. If not, then check them out with a MySpace listen and trust your own judgment. The Harbinger is hopefully not a sign of things to come for this band.
--Cody Rogers
Comments
Infinitely Inwards
Decent album. Can't say I completely agree, but I liked the review. Job for a Cowboy's new album seems to be slightly better than this. If only by just a little.
Ever Forthright - Ever Forthright
Fallujah - The Harvest Wombs
The New Law - The Fifty Year Storm
The Mars Volta - Noqtourniqet
Aborted - Global Flatline
Spawn of Possession - Incurso
Crippled Black Phoenix - (Mankind)The Crafty Ape
Raleigh, NC
Thanks, man. It's definitely an enjoyable CD- I love listening to it in the car. What really made me give it this rating was the couple of songs that were so out of place for this band, like the one with the "you dug your own grave" bit. I just couldn't get past how terrible of a lyric that was, and how much it made me not want to listen to the rest of the album.
Infinitely Inwards
I'm sorry man, but I think there was a misunderstanding. I meant to say that you were too easy on it, not that I liked it better than you did. I really think that this album is sub par at best...even for deathcore. But like i said, i thoroughly enjoy reading your reviews.
Ever Forthright - Ever Forthright
Fallujah - The Harvest Wombs
The New Law - The Fifty Year Storm
The Mars Volta - Noqtourniqet
Aborted - Global Flatline
Spawn of Possession - Incurso
Crippled Black Phoenix - (Mankind)The Crafty Ape
Raleigh, NC
Ahh, I see. Haha, well, I think we're the opposite. You said Job For a Cowboy's new CD might be a little better, but I think I'd give that one a 2.5. Haha, I appreciate the comments about my reviews, though. Thanks man!
Minnesota
CD is pretty boring to listen to... unless I'm running or lifting. Then it is ok.
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Raleigh, NC
I saw these guys last night and spoke to their vocalist afterward. They played great, and all of them were really nice. Anyway, he said that they're hoping for their next release to come out in late 2010 / early 2011 and that they had bits and pieces of songs put together. Hopefully it will be more focused than The Harbinger- That's my only complaint with the album at the moment. These guys have a ton of potential, so I'm really looking forward to what's coming up.