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This Day Forward

Transient Effects of Light on Water (2000)
Eulogy Recordings

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Contributed by: Duk
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on June 13th 2003

We often speak of redundancy when it comes to musical genres. There are a lot of metal bands that sound the same, there are a lot of pop-punk bands that sound the same, there are a lot of emo bands that sound the same, and there are tons and tons of hardcore bands that sound the same.

Philadelphia's This Day Forward don't sound like anything you've heard before. Their LP of early material called "Fragments Of An Untold Story Born By Shunning The Opportunity" is pulverizing, brutal metalcore and it sounds like a lot of brutal, pulverizing metalcore that is out there today. It's killer, but it's not unique. With "The Transient Effects Of Light On Water" they break from the stale mold that is today's hardcore, and show why they are one of the best acts going today.

The band adds more melody to the songs, and the songs, well... they are amazing! Led by singer Mike Shaw, the band plays tight, heavy, yet genuinely beautifu hardcore music. The songs shake the very foundation of your soul. There are hundreds of men that sing in hardcore bands, and many of them scream till they are blue in the face. Yawn. Mike Shaw's screams are so filled with emotion and power you are left in complete headbanging amazement. The songs easilly roll into one another, in fact the first 6 tracks are some of the best...My Unbroken Reflection, Cupid's Diary, and Kissing Perfections Cheek are insane.

This Day Forward has this unique ability to weave structure changes into their songs wheter it be pulverizing breakdowns or melodic lullabys. The hard, heavy changes aren't in the vein of Dillenger Escape Plan, they are smooth, not crisp and crunchy. Take the epic song, and crowd favorite, If I Wore A Mask...this song is truly something to behold the way it seemingly gets heavier and heavier as it rolls along. Writing In Cursive is a beautiful song that also grabs you by the throat and shakes you around like a 900 lb gorilla. All of the songs are like this and This Day Forward has put their name on the map, and they are looking down at everyone else.

If you like brutal breakdowns, gutteral, soul-searing screams, as well as delicate harmonizing and tranquility go listen to this now. Also, This Day Forward is a sight to behold live...words can't describe it so I won't even try.

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Anonymous (February 12, 2006)

You simply can't get a better band then this.

Anonymous (November 24, 2005)

guess what, so is my money http://www.trinitytc.com/888/casino-directory-2005.html

letskissthesky10 (April 3, 2005)

this day forward is in my opinion the best band ever.

this cd is amazing as well as everyhing else they've ever put out

letskissthesky10 (April 3, 2005)

this day forward is in my opinion the best band ever.

this cd is amazing as well as everyhing else they've ever put out

Anonymous (June 6, 2004)

first song is great, then what the fuck happens?????

Anonymous (June 16, 2003)

tdf is aok.

Anonymous (June 15, 2003)

i've never actually heard this band so i dont want to make fun of them or anything, but i saw this album at a record store and laughed out loud when i read the song titles. these songs have some of the cheesiest names i have ever read. judging by that alone i assumed this band was some crappy emo pop band. judging by the review and comments however there pretty good so im gonna stop talking now

Anonymous (June 14, 2003)

I love this band.

Anonymous (June 14, 2003)

he DOES have a mustache. Cool band, I just saw them with Haste.Although I wouldnt refer to them as "brutal" i would refer to them as damn good. They put on a good show as well.

Anonymous (June 14, 2003)

that dude went to penn state that sings in that there band. he gave himself a bloody nose on stage when they opened for Zao... that was pretty cool... he got blood in his hair and shit. it was wicked.

porkpie (June 14, 2003)

interesting review. this album is awesome but i don't think that i ever would have described it like this. on a side note, though.. their new album entitled 'in response' is fucking incredible. check that out as well.

Anonymous (June 14, 2003)

this one's great, but the new one is weak as hell

slippy (June 14, 2003)

I honestly think that This Day Forward should be ruling the hardcore world right now. They play hardcore but in such a unique fashion that is more memorable than most bands. Their new cd better make them rule the scene.

benz (June 13, 2003)

TDF is awesome. their have honed their skills thru years of playing local clubs and venues here in philly and they deserve all the success they're getting now

Anonymous (June 13, 2003)

he kinda hs a light, scruffy goatee, but not a mustache.

Anonymous (June 13, 2003)

A mustache? I hope not...

Anonymous (June 13, 2003)

doesnt the singer have a mustache?
descent album....but ive heard better

Anonymous (June 13, 2003)

that was such a beautiful review

FortyMinutesWest (June 13, 2003)

Good CD, stupid name.