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Wings of Azrael

Suspension of Disbelief (2004)
Bridgeport Entertainment

Reviewer Rating:

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

Published on October 9th 2005

Mediocre music seems to be the trend these days. I think most people will attest to that. Even fans of punk and hardcore music are drowning in this generic sea of misery. Does this sound like the same thing you read in every positive review? Well, fear not my fellow listeners, for I have a surprise for you! Here we have an amazing new band from PA that should really have grabbed your attention already. No? Well, I'm certainly not surprised. Pretty much no one I have ever talked to knows about Wings of Azrael. Well, now you know, too.

Wings of Azrael could be described as post-hardcore, emo, indie, etc. Well, I have one word to describe their first release, Suspension of Disbelief: spectacular. This EP has only five songs on it, but tops out at about 25 minutes. Yes, three of them are six minutes long, but that is nothing that incredible musicianship cannot cure. The album ignites with "Auburn Road," followed by the delayed and dramatic "Ceramic" and my personal favorite, the ever-so-fierce "A Breath That Ends What Chokes Begin." The fury winds down with the sounds of regret in "Autumn in July." Finally, the EP is finished off with the reflective and purposefully repetitive, yet melodic and beautiful "Ellipses." This album has almost the perfect blend of melodic singing and hardcore throat-cutting sound for those who like either. The lyrics are truly poetic, filled with a myriad of extreme emotions, which makes listening to the album so much better.

I give this album a 9 out of 10. Honestly, I loved it the first time I heard it. Months ago, it would have been a 10, but I can undertand why many people may not see it my way. However, this is one of the few albums that has not lost a shred of its appeal over time. I'm not going to give a list of similar bands because these guys have their own truly unique sound. This band is truly underrated and is absolutely worth a good listen. It's definitely a better choice than most of the overmanufactured screamo that we hear every day.

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jerjer (January 25, 2006)

yeah they are amazing i ve seen then like 4 times at shows they were awsome to watch

Cohead (November 28, 2005)

I don't listen to a lot of Hardcore, but i love the band and the album.
I just got into them when i met one of the gutarists at work. Ive seen them twice and i always go see them if they are in the area, to support them and my friend.
Tylerdurden8136, that was my copy of MSG3 he was playin'. Jerk beat it before me and i had it since last November. Ha.

Anonymous (November 5, 2005)

they have been playing shows here and there and have recorded a few songs which can be heard @ http://www.myspace.com/matttodrecordings
they are planning more shows recordings when time permits since they are all in school. but by no means is this band dead...they played last night in cranberry and they were amazing.

Anonymous (November 5, 2005)

They're simply amazing...and their live show is awesome.

Anonymous (October 15, 2005)

totally agree, stellar album i heard them on purevolume like a yr ago and they were intense. And i live in Canada

Anonymous (October 11, 2005)

perhaps WILLFUL suspension of disbelief? anybody? eh? ... ok i'll shut up and go check this out now.

whatchokesbegin (October 11, 2005)

There should be no issues with validity as I am not linked in any way to the band, it was just a screen name I chose because I couldn't think of anything else and I like the song.

the link is posted on the right but it's http://www.purevolume.com/wingsofazrael

Anonymous (October 11, 2005)

ummmm.. the reviewer's name and its connection to one of title of one of the songs he says is a highlight makes me skeptical about the validity of this review.

still, I'm intrigued.

these guys have a purevolume or myspace or something? anyone?

Anonymous (October 10, 2005)

super..lame.

Anonymous (October 9, 2005)

That battle was so intense. Did you snipe the duder's parrot? Screw that parrot!

tylerdurden8136 (October 9, 2005)

i like this band but I don't know where they have gone to

i'm pretty sure they all went back to school. i go to school with their guitarist, great guy. i keep jokingly telling him to forget school and put out a full length...and this whole thing just reminded me i was supposed to call him and tell him how to beat the end in mgs3: snake eater...damn.

Anonymous (October 9, 2005)

drowning in this generic sea of misery.

Hhahaha.

Shai Hulud = Lame
Skycamefalling = Boss