The Chariot - One Wing
Rating
RIYL
Norma JeanConverge
Every Time I Die
Release Date
08/28/2012
Label
E1 MusicTracklist
1. Forget2. Not
3. Your
4. First
5. Love
6. Speak
7. In
8. Tongues
9. And
10. Cheek
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Everyone has a list of bands that you wish you could like, but for one reason or another, the idea of the band is much better than the execution. The Chariot is pretty high up on the list for many. Vocalist Josh Scogin was a part of one of the best metalcore albums of the early 2000s in Norma Jean’s Bless the Martyr, Kiss the Child, so many have tried many times to appreciate Scogin’s other band with little to no avail.
That is, until now. Over the previous four releases, The Chariot was a band who strived to basically be a mathcore jam band, cramming as many feedback-laced riffs into thirty minutes as was humanly possible. Occasionally those riffs magically turned into great songs (“The City” and “David De La Hoz”); however, other times the random discordant noise proved too much to bear (basically every other song). The band members have been quoted as saying One Wing is the band’s “weirdest” release to date, and one listen to the album proves that assertion true. “Your” is a surprising sing-a-long utilizing only a female voice and an organ. “First” is a first for the band, featuring a random spaghetti Western montage that needs to be featured in the band’s next video.
Thankfully, the crux of the “weird” that the band spoke of is related to the band’s clear emphasis on songwriting, and it is a very welcome oddity. “Not” and “In” take the best of early Norma Jean and bottles that energy into short fury-filled funfests. “In” even features an oddly enjoyable catchphrase (read: merchandising!) that has a chance to stick in the listeners heads. (“Keep the car running!”) This was one of those features very prevalent in Bless the Martyr, Kiss the Child, and it’s a welcome addition on the album. “Speak” is a haunting track that strips down The Chariot to only a screamer and his piano, and the results are fantastic.
Elsewhere, even the more straight-forward ragers are more focused. “Forget” and “and” both are heavy, energetic bursts of mathcore, and they are not forgettable tracks. Also, there is enough groove-laden Southern-fried goodness to keep things interesting. There is something akin to melody here, and it’s a jarring proposition compared to what listeners have expected from the band.
Overall, there is no question that One Wing presents a better, more focused version of The Chariot. By harnessing their chaos into a more palatable and experimental sound, the album presents the band as a well-oiled machine. One Wing should win over some new fans who felt they were altogether too random for full enjoyment, and here’s to hoping the band gets even weirder in the future.
--Nick Senior
Comments
Minnesota
I have listened to every other album these guys put out and couldn't really stand any of them... so I'm extremely hesitant to waste time on this... but just maybe I'll give it a shot considering your review.
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Columbus, OH
Don't do it just for me, but I gather you and I had the same experience with the band up until now. I've always wanted to like them because of Scogin's past, but the band was always too scattershot for me.
Currently Listening To:
Lo!- Monstrorum Historia
HeavyArms- Burning Crowds
Shining- One One One
Baton Rouge
Can't wait to hear this. Your review has me even more stoked.
Boobs
http://thenicsperiment.blogspot.com/
Salt Lake City, UT
I felt that their last album was a masterpiece and I love every single song on it. I can't wait for this one.
http://www.sonnambulanaut.com/
^ Blogthing.
Columbus, OH
Does everyone realize this was released today? Go listen now and tell me how you think my review perfectly encapsulates your thoughts. I was, obviously, quite pleasantly surprised.
Currently Listening To:
Lo!- Monstrorum Historia
HeavyArms- Burning Crowds
Shining- One One One
Salt Lake City, UT
I just got it. Oh my fucking goddamn.
http://www.sonnambulanaut.com/
^ Blogthing.
Minnesota
Eh, I have about 100 other albums I give at least a half a shit about before I'll get around to this.
:-P
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Columbus, OH
Hey, I can't win all the time with you, Rick. I'm still impressed you liked Constants haha.
Currently Listening To:
Lo!- Monstrorum Historia
HeavyArms- Burning Crowds
Shining- One One One
Salt Lake City, UT
Hey Nick, It was a great review, I read the whole thing this time.
I loved the album, just got done with the 3rd straight listening. I still think I like Long Live better though but maybe not.
I need to do some driving around to this album, that's what originally sold me on LL.
This band is an active band and they demand movement of any sort whilst listening.
http://www.sonnambulanaut.com/
^ Blogthing.
Baton Rouge
NO. You are wrong. It comes out tomorrow, and I will never get it because stupid hurricane #3,045 is going to shut down everything and try to kill me. Screw you guys.
Boobs
http://thenicsperiment.blogspot.com/
El Paso, TX
Completely agree with your review when it comes to their earlier work, and the potential of even just having Scogin handling the vocals (I'd even go further and say that Bless The Martyr... is one of the finest metalcore albums, period).
I still can't fully get into this as it's still feels a bit too chaotic to have a lasting appeal, but it's certainly much more focused than their previous work.
Columbus, OH
Currently Listening To:
Lo!- Monstrorum Historia
HeavyArms- Burning Crowds
Shining- One One One
Lehigh Valley, PA
This is one of the worst things I've ever heard. I was mad at myself for listening to it.
Salt Lake City, UT
Bill hates music most of Decoy likes. Nothing to see here. Keep moving.
http://www.sonnambulanaut.com/
^ Blogthing.
Lehigh Valley, PA
Because most of you have terrible fucking taste in music. I miss the Decoymusic of when I first started working here.
Salt Lake City, UT
Maybe your taste devolved.
http://www.sonnambulanaut.com/
^ Blogthing.
Reno, NV
I'm here for ya Bill. And I agree, I can't listen to this band very comfortably. This one is a little more pallet able than their previous messes. Yet I will not listen again after two listens. It sounds exactly like their cover art looks.
Top Weekly Artists Last.fm
Columbus, OH
Yeah, I re-listened to Long Live, and it reminded me how much better One Wing really is. I'm still surprised how much I like it.
Currently Listening To:
Lo!- Monstrorum Historia
HeavyArms- Burning Crowds
Shining- One One One
Salt Lake City, UT
Pffft.
http://www.sonnambulanaut.com/
^ Blogthing.
Quakertown, PA
I've been in the same boat as you Nick...always wanted to like this band but could never stomach a whole album. I have to say though, One Wing is pretty damn good. It seems a little short to me, but it's leaps and bounds better than their other releases.
Salt Lake City, UT
How the heck do you not like Long Live?
http://www.sonnambulanaut.com/
^ Blogthing.
Quakertown, PA
Haha, I don't know...I just remember not liking it, besides the song with the dude from Listener. Maybe I'll revisit it, I have to be in the right mood for this kind of music.
Salt Lake City, UT
The Earth and The City, holy ding dong, songs are amazing.
http://www.sonnambulanaut.com/
^ Blogthing.
This is more diverse than I expected. Not bad!
Baton Rouge
This rules. I survived.
Boobs
http://thenicsperiment.blogspot.com/