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The Burning Season

The Haze Of Infatuation (2005)
Hand of Hope Records

Reviewer Rating:

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

Published on March 25th 2005

There are a few things wrong with this release. First off, no zombies on the cover. I mean, c'mon. Zombies. They're sweet. Sure there's this mud man, or whatever, but he's not a zombie. Maybe a golem at best, and Akimbo's Elephantine has the best golem cover ever. Second, there's this weird happy melodic part to the end of the first song that's super posi-sounding, but they still do their Cookie Monster vocals over it. Third, the reverb on the snare brings back fond memories of The Boss' Born In The USA, yet it doesn't do a metalcore band justice. And finally, the entire album is a dragging breakdown, basically. While "The Eternal Now" starts out mid-tempo, it soon slows down and the tempo is maintained all the way through the first four tracks until "Pick Up the Pieces" comes in fast for about twenty seconds of the forty-two second song. "Year Of The Cicada" sounds waaaaay too much like a Godsmack song. "Losing My Voice" is a way too emo acoustic instrumental. And the record finishes with more of the same. Heavy thudding breakdowns with no up-tempo parts.

I guess the best way to describe this album is to imagine that you are being chased by a very fat man. Or woman. Whatever, no gender bias here. So right away their weight builds momentum and they're off after you like a rocket, thundering down the sidewalk. And it's exciting! And scary! I mean, they can sit on you, or maybe they're going to try to eat you! Anyway, after thirty seconds, they've slowed down horribly. Sure, they're still hitting the sidewalk with their feet just as heavy, and the world is shaking underneath their pounding. You let up a bit, relieved that your safety is now guaranteed, but after a few minutes, he/she/it is still chasing you and you're getting bored. I mean, you can't stop for fear of being eaten, but by now, you're just walking. He/she/it is getting very sweaty and tired, but then it gets a second wind! It's chasing you again! Oh, but now he/she/it has stopped. Other people on the sidewalk are confused and disturbed by the sight. You're even more bored than after the first speed burst. Eventually it stops – either from cardiac arrest or it saw a donut shop – and you feel even more relieved. You're glad you have an interesting story, but you don't feel like being chased by a fat person down the sidewalk ever again.

I guess this band used to be known as Worlds Apart, but that doesn't help them out in my camp. You might dig on this, I won't judge you. But I'm pretty sure that I am not sexually aroused by them, and that's never a good sign. You should always walk away from good heavy music with an enormous erection. Because that shows how tough you are. Then you go to the tattoo shop and get tribal symbols or barbed wire tattoo across your biceps. Me? I've got a potato on my ankle. See if you can catch that reference.

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Anonymous (March 9, 2006)

zombies, lions, tigers, and bears. what the hell are talkin about. fat people, erections? why do you review albums from a genre you dont like? the whole review is like a fat man bangin you in the rear, it was scary, but you would't want to do it again, unless your name is Jesse. you elitist bah!

Anonymous (March 9, 2006)

Hater!

Anonymous (January 28, 2006)

wayside school is falling down...

there is no 13th floor.

Anonymous (January 6, 2006)

WORST REVIEW EVER.

The Burning Season is so fuckin awesome. Don't be a bunch of haters! Don't be mad because you got stuck reviewing albums online instead of being on tour and playing in a band which I assume was what you THOUGHT your biggest accomplishment would have been in life, but no.

Listen to the album again, they sound like no one else. You guys are all some fuckin turds.

Anonymous (June 14, 2005)

this album is good as shit...i previewed it at FYE and bought it right away

Jesse (March 28, 2005)

Hey -

Summer's End! I've said it like seven times! Same record label! Zombies on the cover! I reviewed it like two weeks ago or so! And anyway, in the metal department, nothing can even come close to how amazing High On Fire's "Blessed Black Wings" is.

Anonymous (March 28, 2005)

I don't know about you guys except everyone is suffering some fucking jaded collective musical backlash. If this was released 5 years ago it would have been a landmark. I think its an awesome album (if you screw around with the track sequence and remove the instrumental song). I'd put it in my top 10 for this year. Everyone who says its complete shit, please list some better cds that have come out this year in this style of music.

TheMarc (March 27, 2005)

That settles it. Jesse is my favorite reviewer ever. Even over myself, Aubin, and the offensive line of the '79 Denver Broncos. Zombies....ha!!!

FortyMinutesWest (March 27, 2005)

Zombies, eh?

This changes everything. Every label should release at least one album with zombie cover art each year.

Jesse (March 27, 2005)

Summer's End, Forty – they have zombies on their cover!

FortyMinutesWest (March 27, 2005)

I think I might have an album by this band..or maybe it's Burning Skies or Burn it Down or Burny McBurnBurn... It's been a while since Eulogy(or Hand of Hope) signed a band that was really interesting.

8dollarclarinetsolo (March 27, 2005)

i like the fat guy metaphor a lot

Jesse (March 26, 2005)

More than likely it's your mom. Deal with it.

Anonymous (March 25, 2005)

Is this "fat person" Scott?

Jesse (March 25, 2005)

And for the loser –

Yeah, I do like the Icarus Line's latest release, but I'm not dumb enough to try and name myself after them.

Jesse (March 25, 2005)

The Godsmack song is "Bad Religion," it was one of their first singles, the guitar rhythm is exactly the same.

Anonymous (March 25, 2005)

This album is not bad. It is nothing new, but for what it is, I think they pulled it off well. They'd fit in well at Hellfest..

...and I don't get the Godsmack reference...still not hearing it

Anonymous (March 25, 2005)

Hey, guy that actually likes Moneen. The review was funny. You are not. Shut the fuck up.

Nice one Jesse. You seem to be getting back into the swing of things (although you probably never noticed being out of it)

-!GreenVandal!

moneenerd (March 25, 2005)

"i thought it was a very exceptional album, not great but i listen to it quite often. Kinda reminds me of old poison the well."

It sorta reminds me of 7 Angels 7 Plagues, but of course, nothing can touch the almighty 7a7p

moneenerd (March 25, 2005)

Good joke, Icarus Line.

Anonymous (March 25, 2005)

i thought it was a very exceptional album, not great but i listen to it quite often. Kinda reminds me of old poison the well.

Jesse (March 25, 2005)

Fuck yeah it is!

bannedinct (March 25, 2005)

It's a Wayside School reference, isn't it?

Jesse (March 25, 2005)

To the kid that didn't get it –

Well, you are dumb enough to define yourself by your handle as a huge fan of a shitty band. It seems that it would fly right over your head. Well, that, and you know, the fact that there's a star rating system. Maybe that's a clue? As to whether it is good or not? Maybe?

Dude, change your moniker. That's just asking to be made fun of. Or maybe I should change mine to:

OMfGiLUVbLiNk182loLerzzz!!!1

Yeah, that sounds good.

poopzilla (March 25, 2005)

Glorious review. Walked away from it with an erection.

Anonymous (March 25, 2005)

best
review
ever

Anonymous (March 25, 2005)

The Haze of InFATuation, seems as if the title explains the album.

3 super awesome points for this review.

Anonymous (March 25, 2005)

Funny part is, his running from the fat person story was telling you what the album was like. Loved the review.

stevejonestherealbones (March 25, 2005)

another gay ass band with a whack ass name and a shitty album title.

good thing these bands think of bad names so people know to stay away

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

joeg (March 25, 2005)

comparisons to Godsmack. that can't be good.

moneenerd (March 25, 2005)

worst
review
ever.

i have like no idea what you were trying to say there. Like is it good, ornot? i really didnt get it. It was like a really bad joke stretched out for 3 paragraphs.

I mean, the album isnt amazing, but all this zombie and golem talk is fucking a waste of my time.