Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Converge - You Fail Me (2004)
I've never listened to Converge before, which was another thing that's surprising because they're one of the pioneers of metalcore and they helped develop mathcore. But after listening to this album You Fail Me, Converge instantly became one of my favorite bands now. And I owe it all to ONE MAN who has recommended me this album to show how spectacular mathcore can be. So let's get right on it!
Some think of You Fail Me as a superb success while other think it's a failing letdown. I can see that the band has really evolved since the beginning and it's a matter of good and bad opinions about the change. In my opinion, Converge still has their immense sound in this album.
Before the deranged mayhem, "First Light" is a gentle atmospheric intro. Then the mayhem begins with "Last Light", probably the most impressively unique song in the album. The screaming vocal attack of Jacob Bannon ranges from manic to emotional through the lyrics. The song is indeed emotional and you already know what's going on just by listening to it. "Black Cloud" is a standout with the band's earlier aggression. The drumming by Ben Koller ranges from brutal to technical. The heavy guitars are incredible while Bannon continues his hard intense vocals shrieking incomprehensible lyrics. The lyrics are clearer during the structurally messy chorus ("Black cloud til' the end!!"). Continuing the hardcore metal insanity in "Drop Out", guitarist Kurt Ballou shows his versatile talent with an incredible ending riff.
"Hope Street" is short swift set of relentless punches into your face, then after a minute, the song is over before it can knock you out. "Heartless" is definitely an adjective that I would describe song #6. It's as great as the other songs so far. The song is more melodic than the previous two while still containing heavy amounts of heaviness. The ability to combine melody and brutality is what makes Converge so great. The next two songs take a different longer turn, starting with the title track. Any fan of shorter-length hardcore might find the length and mood boring, but it fits perfectly here. The song is a wall of sludge metal sound. Bass, guitars, and drums combine into a pounding mix while Bannon unleashes his shrieking vocal assault. Now this is a sludgy metalcore epic! "In Her Shadow" is the other longer song, but this is calm yet soon experimental acoustic break going on for...6 MINUTES?! Not quite my cup of tea, but I'll go with it. This will help me relax before the big highlight...
"Eagles Become Vultures" is totally the best song here. The intro drum fill sends you into the great hellfire of energetic riffs, insane drums, and vocals screaming scathing lyrics. There's a fantastic breakdown with dissonant chords with Bannon with shrieking, "Our eagles become our vultures!!" There's some more intensity in the bonus track "Wolves at My Door" that can never match the previous one. "Death King" is not as good as the previous songs but still amazing with great banshee-like screaming vocals. "In Her Blood" is a purely brutal track with great tempo changes. "Hanging Moon" is good yet lacks brutality. Great drums, but the vocals sound like a tantrum-prone child.
You Fail Me is no ordinary album. It takes a while for your brain to fully grasp it, and it would help by listening to the previous albums. The short album length (35 minutes without bonus track) is the right length for this album and other hardcore/metalcore albums like this. This album is 99% perfect without any major flaws! The songwriting and production is so intense and brilliant. Sure there are some songs that are weaker than others, but this album works best when listened to entirely. Call it the band's low point if you want, but this shows Converge unleashing their evolving genius. Any heavy intense fan should listen to this band and this album. Converge will never fail you!
Favorites: Last Light, Black Cloud, Drop Out, You Fail Me, Eagles Become Vultures, In Her Blood