He Is Legend

He Is Legend: I Am HollywoodI Am Hollywood (2004)
Solid State Records

Reviewer Rating: 3.5

User Rating:

Contributed by: lordoftheflieslordoftheflies
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on December 10th 2004You know when you catch a trailer for a comedy film that makes the film look really funny and think to yourself that you just have to see that film, but then when you watch it, you realise that all the funny moments were in the trailer and the rest of the film just pads them out to ninety minutes? .

You know when you catch a trailer for a comedy film that makes the film look really funny and think to yourself that you just have to see that film, but then when you watch it, you realise that all the funny moments were in the trailer and the rest of the film just pads them out to ninety minutes?

My first experience with He Is Legend was the release of the e-card for this album with the tracks "The Seduction" and "I am Hollywood," which are both so good that I was really looking forward to this release and was almost sure that it would be one of the best of the year. Imagine my surprise then, when I finally got hold of it and heard not the fast paced melodic hardcore album I expected, but a much more dumbed down mix of melodic rock with the odd hardcore moment. It starts so well and ends so well, mostly because the two aforementioned tracks are the first and last of the album, and whilst the bits in between aren't bad, the listener is left wishing He Is Legend had done a bit more with it. Those who enjoyed their first EP will also be disappointed at the softer direction that He Is Legend have taken.

He Is Legend do mix their styles rather well despite some claims that they are confused as to which genre they want to be in. They shift between medium paced rock - not "emo" - to powerfully driven metalcore based music with admirable ease, which is helped by the extraordinary dynamic range of vocalist Schuylar Croom and some good song writing. And while there are certainly some excellent and memorable moments in this album, it is nonetheless lacking something given their potential. The album art is great, the production appropriate, and the lyrics are intelligent, and often witty. Despite being on Solid State Records, at no point do they Bible-thump and yet, it could have been so much better.

I just wish there were more songs like the first and last tracks. If you are going to buy this on the strength of the tracks linked below then be prepared for the comedy movie trailer syndrome. If you think that the score seems harsh given that I am actually quite fond of this record, then I hope HIL think so too and release the hardcore album we've been waiting for.

http://www.purevolume.com/heislegend

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

i_rock_hard (December 18, 2009)

fucking SICK album

bs28 (March 2, 2009)

This is one of the best albums ever written! Schuylar is one of the best front-men out there. Anyone who sees anything less in this album clearly doesnt appreciate good music.

THEmax (September 15, 2007)

He Is Legend is incredible, can't wait to see them live. I like this album better than Suck Out the Poison though. Still haven't heard much of their ep though. And to the guy who said their name sucked, I think it's from a book called I Am Legend, so that's what its referencing.......

moneenerd (May 21, 2007)

every fucking band is "the hardest working band out there".

the last "hard working" band ive seen in the past 10 years has been Moneen, and theyre still struggling to make it in this scene of hardcore kids gone Motley Crue.

effyeah (September 15, 2006)

some of you people are so effing biased. You know, it's not illegal to like more than one thing. "They're not enough like Every Time I Die." Let me tell you, He Is Legend is one of the most talented bands out there and one of the biggest reasons why is because they ARE different. If every hardcore band was the same or similar (which unfortunately is beginning to get pretty close to the truth), it would get pretty boring. Just because they aren't as heavy as some of the other stuff we listen to, doesn't make it "less good" except by opinion. And I tend to think it's somewhat retarded when someone can ONLY listen to the dirtiest metal and nothing lighter. This is their first full-length, so give them a break, and if they're not your style, don't even bother reviewing because i don't need to hear how it doesn't live up to your exact tastes. Respect diversity.

Anonymous (November 16, 2005)

"Hung from a wrecking ball to view a fashion show..i think you know me well i think you know me well"...........(who the fuck can write such amazing lyrics and sound that bad ass......your damn right HE IS LEGEND is who can) " i've been jumping over buildings i've been sleeping in the streets mr. jones will be right with you if you would just have a seat and i'll meet you at the river where we both could clear our heads ...... I THINK WE WOULD LOOK GREAT DEAD........(OH YEAH).........JULET .... you know you want it.....GREAT MUSIC guys keep it up.
JORDAN

Anonymous (November 15, 2005)

whats up im back again, just writing in to tell anyone who hasnt listen to HE IS LEGEND needs to. i think im obsessed...... oh wellits great to be obsessed with this band because they never get old! Keep up the good work you guys. if they break up im gonna be pissed! sorry i missed you guys when you played with EMERY in Atlanta, im sure you guys fuckin rocked. HE IS LEGEND has never let me down live or in anyway. By the ways guys if your reading this its so much fun talking to you all. anyways i guess im out peace!
JORDAN
F
ALABAMA

Anonymous (November 12, 2005)

you think the C.D. kicks ass go see them live. FUCKing amazing. You cant get any better than that. And if you think you can kiss my ass. This chick knows they ROCK & you sould to. Anyways if you have never listen to them &/or own their C.D. then you should have your ass beat. Just kidding but for real check em' out you wont be disappointed.
JORDAN
F
ALABAMA(represent, not really)

whatchokesbegin (November 1, 2005)

It doesn't matter if it's hard or not. This album is amazing.

Anonymous (August 23, 2005)

you are a moron to not like music if they do or do not have christian lyrics. so what if they did have bible thumping lyrics and the music was like you expected, im sure you would be one to whine about it like your standards on lyrics are the ones that count.

brother-cheap (August 11, 2005)

i saw this band live and it was awesome

Anonymous (June 29, 2005)

that dude making the "cat's pajamas" remark -- that was funny. and so was the video for the seduction. sweet lord, there should be more videos like that. where hardcore (or WHATEVER) bands don't take themselves so gosh darn seriously.

and that dude has a wicked beard too.

Anonymous (February 9, 2005)

the song with the video that has puppets is called The Seduction.

Anonymous (February 1, 2005)

i am hollywood...no, i am hollywood!...NO!! I AM HOLLYWOOD!!...haha i like them.

Anonymous (January 15, 2005)

"there is a difference between melodic hardcore and metalcore..."

I agree.

This album blew me away. At first listen, yes, The Seduction and I Am Hollywood stand out, but the more you listen to it, the more you begin to enjoy the other tracks as well. Do You Think I'm Pretty? is also excellent.

Anonymous (December 16, 2004)

8 is for the the album. 10 for the unbiased review and a solid 10 for that amazing and hilarious video they did. I have never laughed so hard at a hardcore video in my life (Other than that Santa Mosh thing). Very witty.

I'd also like to add that I believe "He is Legend" to be a much better name than "Uriah Omen" (their old name).

Anonymous (December 14, 2004)

well aren't you the cat's pajamas, mr. "i went to high school with them"?

hey_sailor (December 14, 2004)

Being from Wilmington, NC it is somewhat strange seeing kids you went to high school with being reviewed on Punknews.org... I remember seeing Schuylar play "Say It Ain't So" on an acoustic guitar at someone's house one night and being blown away. What they do they do well, and it's good to see them finally getting some national recognition. NC needs to return to what it was back in the early 90's with Superchunk, Milemarker, and Archers Of Loaf...if it take a band like He Is Legend to start shining a light back on out local scene then so be it.

boldredletters (December 14, 2004)

there is a difference between melodic hardcore and metalcore...

Anonymous (December 14, 2004)

please don't use such big werds in review. Me have hard time reading. please dumb down for me. Me no like pitchfork. Me not get it. Thinking hurts...

lordoftheflies (December 14, 2004)

it wasnt a personal story

Anonymous (December 13, 2004)

Yeah, seriously. This is like pitchforkmedia.com pre-english degree.

Anonymous (December 13, 2004)

can you fucking people please write a review WITHOUT telling some kind of stupid personal story at the beginning?

Anonymous (December 13, 2004)

this score is for dave grohl. and ETID.

Big_Guy (December 11, 2004)

"This score is for the bands name. That's got to be the worst name in the history of ever."

Not really

Anonymous (December 11, 2004)

that sucks about having him blow out his voice. i saw them when it still worked. they rocked hard. everyband there did.

Anonymous (December 11, 2004)

you missed eating a book. listen to it three more times. the "wanna see you explode" is awesome. very catchy album. not as horribly meolodic as people make it out to be either.

ALineInYourBook (December 11, 2004)

I disagree. He Is Legend stole the show in ATL last month, along with Showbread. I'm sorry I waited to see The Chariot, they made me want to leave early. Lead singer "blew his voice out" a couple of night before that so he just acted like a moron while the guitarists handled most of the screaming duties.

Anonymous (December 11, 2004)

This score is for the bands name. That's got to be the worst name in the history of ever.

FamousLastWords (December 11, 2004)

I wonder if they did the first and last track thing on purpose. I thought they were going to have more songs like "either they decorated for christmas early or eveyones dead" and "i am hollywood" but the middle tracks are so different. Definitly one of my favorite cds of the year.

hubitcherkokov (December 11, 2004)

I like their video with the puppets. What song is that?

Marlon (December 11, 2004)

Is this band's name like a spin off of the book I am Legend?

Anonymous (December 11, 2004)

saw them with the chariot awhile ago. pretty hip and knew what they were jiving at. alot better live than on cd. their ep is better. he is legend was damn good.. but the chariot was amazing.

crossfiyaaa (December 11, 2004)

Foo Fighters are pretty solid.

Anonymous (December 10, 2004)

...Foo Fighters?

-Chinatown

inagreendase (December 10, 2004)

Yeah, this review is pretty much spot on. While it's a pretty good album, nothing touches the first and last tracks.

pastepunk (December 10, 2004)

I'm not too sold on this review; the middle of this release gets way heavier than the reviewer lets on, and I wouldn't describe any of the songs on here as filler. While I agree that clearly that some of the tunes do in fact standout much more than others, the remaining songs hold their own as well.

Anonymous (December 10, 2004)

wait if that kid is right about the foo fighters comparison then this band must blow.

Anonymous (December 10, 2004)

Eating a Book, track 2, is also pretty sweet. But yeah, there's too much "filler"

I like the band, but I'd take ETID or Foo Fighters over it any day

maverick (December 10, 2004)

It's Foo Fighters meets Every Time I Die.

Two thumbs up.

-Scott

theundergroundscene (December 10, 2004)

This band would be 100x better with a new singer.