The Devil Wears Prada - Dead Throne
Rating
RIYL
Bring Me The HorizonWe Came As Romans
With One Last Breath
The Air I Breathe
Release Date
09/13/2011
Label
Ferret MusicTracklist
1. Dead Throne2. Untidaled
3. Mammoth
4. Vengeance
5. R.I.T.
6. My Questions
7. Kansas
8. Born To Lose
9. Forever Decay
10. Chicago
11. Constance
12. Pretenders
13. Holdfast
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With the colossal leap forward that was Zombie, The Devil Wears Prada had finally shed their mallcore image once and for all and were ready to be taken seriously; the question would be could the tense, dark atmosphere of said EP translate to a full-length. The answer is kind of. Though Dead Throne lacks the urgency of Zombie, it more than holds its own with a continued commitment to a pummeling rhythm section and the high-low vocal interplay preventing the listener from ever fully finding a comfort level. This serves as a definite strength, and the tasteful use of synth, returning intact from Zombie, aids this blanket unease with a touch of the Romero.
The opening title track is largely unmemorable, but “Untidaled” delivers on the band’s promise to be both heavier and catchier than on works past. It really is one of the great songs in their catalog, and fortunately they follow up the excellent song-writing with “Mammoth;” the challenge of this disc, however, is to really engage with it when there’s a see-saw in effect. That is to say that the fourth track, “Vengeance,” returns to vanilla metalcore, “R.I.T.” is a beast, “My Questions” bland, et cetera. Keeping the listener off-balance works in both directions here for The Devil Wears Prada.
“Kansas” is what is becoming an increasingly tired way for bands to break up their albums, though the instrumental track is one of the stronger on display on Dead Throne; therefore, Meryl Streep and the boys are forgiven for its inclusion. Two other songs I’d like to discuss before we head to the conclusion of our time here together are “Born To Lose” and “Holdfast.” “Born To Lose” is notable because it may be the best song on the album, consequently summing up the band’s stated intentions, and because it definitely has some great horror film synth going on. “Holdfast” is the perfect way for the band to wrap up Dead Throne, it provides another example of the way the synth work has grown to become a major asset, and the gang vocals are indubitably going to slay live.
It’s tough to point at Dead Throne and declare it a step back because there’s nothing inherently wrong with it; there are no missteps. The problem lies more in consistency than anything else. About half of the record’s tracks can match Zombie in intensity, but the other half just sort of muddle about with no real direction. They accomplish very little. On the whole I think a three-and-a-half-star rating is just right for Dead Throne, but I challenge The Devil Wears Prada to continue to build on their success and keep progressing. Regardless, somewhere Anne Hathaway is stoked.
--Jacob Oliver
Comments
Lehigh Valley, PA
Am I allowed to give my opinion on this, or will people's feelings be hurt?
Minnesota
Shut up, Bill!
Oh wait, you didn't say anything offensive yet. Sorry, gut reaction :-)
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Baton Rouge
C'mon, Bill, anyone who spends five minutes on Decoy a week knows what your opinion will be, and that it will involve the last letter of the alphabet. Just make your sig "Metalcore bores Bill." Thumbs up for so far holding back your .5 rating on top, though.
This is solid stuff. Not mind blowing, but pretty enjoyable, which is more than I can say for most of this genre lately.
Boobs
http://thenicsperiment.blogspot.com/
Lehigh Valley, PA
Not all metalcore bores me...just most. This band has always been poop in my opinion.
Spokane, Washington
they do their own thing and i've always appreciated them for it. not quite as good as their previous release, but better than Plagues and their debut.
Current Listenings:
7 Horns 7 Eyes - "Throes of Absolution"
Horse Feathers - "Cynic's New Year"
Andrew Bird - "Break It Yourself"
Sigur Ros - "Valtari"
Rocky Votolato - "Television of Saints"
Janus - "Nox Aeris"
Blues Traveler - "25"
Baton Rouge
Well then, that is the perfect opportunity for some double alliteration!
"Most metalcore bores Bill"
Boobs
http://thenicsperiment.blogspot.com/
Baton Rouge
Also, this album cover is really sweet.
Boobs
http://thenicsperiment.blogspot.com/
Lehigh Valley, PA
Sorry for not enjoying the same music as you, sir. I'll try harder...
Fishers, Indiana
This got played on turntable a bit, and I'm with Bill on this one.
Top Albums: 2011 | 2010 | 2009 || Tumblr | Twitter
Minnesota
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Baton Rouge
Whatever, we agree almost half the time. Being half as good as me is still pretty good.
Boobs
http://thenicsperiment.blogspot.com/
Fishers, Indiana
Why is that set to Kirby music? Kirby would never be such a dick.
Top Albums: 2011 | 2010 | 2009 || Tumblr | Twitter
Baton Rouge
Dude, Kirby eats people and steals their powers.
Boobs
http://thenicsperiment.blogspot.com/
Fishers, Indiana
Only the bad people.
...And sometimes innocent bystanders.
...But in the name of justice!
Top Albums: 2011 | 2010 | 2009 || Tumblr | Twitter
Minnesota
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Baton Rouge
Both times I went to prison, it was for murder incited by Falcon-punched-by-Kirby-rage.
Boobs
http://thenicsperiment.blogspot.com/
Fishers, Indiana
zzz
*clicks Lame*
Top Albums: 2011 | 2010 | 2009 || Tumblr | Twitter
Illinois
i'm gonna give this 4 stars. i dig it, but it's still not where they need to be. "constance" and "forever decay" are two of my favorites after 5 listens or so. then again, i've been following these guys since i saw them open for silverstein (with a day to remember, crazy how the tables turned). i haven't really listened much after my first handful of listens, but i'm sure i'll go back to it pretty soon to form a final opinion on it.
last.fm/user/tragedyl0ve
twitter.com/1000cleverlines
1000cleverlines.tumblr.com
Reno, NV
Bingo!
Current Listenings:
Psychollywood - Psychollywood
Royal Thunder - Cvi
The Next Hundred Years - Troppo
Kyng - Trampled Sun
Kill Devil Hill - Kill Devil Hill
Edmonton, AB
What happenedwith the screamed vocals on this album?He sounds like he's trying to take a dump- did they get a new vocalist or something?
West Haven, CT
The screaming on this CD is pig vomit. The worst thing about this brand of music is that they write these songs revolved around some cheap break down. They've been playing the same sound over and over. Its boring and pointless. I always kind of liked some of their older music. fuck that though.
The Cityscape Burns Brighter By The Hour.
Illinois
ya everyone i played it for said the same thing. idk, i enjoy most of this. i feel like i'm the only one who thinks that, but it's not as bad as people make it sound. if you haven't liked the band, why would you like them now? (not pointing at you mike cause i saw that you liked some of their older shit)
it's not perfect, i'll give you all that. but i personally think this band has come a long way since their original demos. maybe it's just cause i like some bands in the genre that makes me more used to the style than you guys are (cause i know for sure that a lot of you don't dig this style of music).
last.fm/user/tragedyl0ve
twitter.com/1000cleverlines
1000cleverlines.tumblr.com
Coopersburg, PA
Finally got around to listening to this and didn't like it all, but it's still good for the genre I suppose. The singer's voice sounds like it's shot though, doesn't have the bite it used to on the other albums.
FL
ive always enjoyed them, but the change in vocal style on this one was not for the best.
www.falseidolphoto.com
www.facebook.com/fromtheembrace
Baton Rouge
I think that's what made me like it.
Boobs
http://thenicsperiment.blogspot.com/