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Killing the Dream

In Place, Apart (2005)
Deathwish Inc.

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

Published on October 14th 2005

Deathwish's 2005 Hardcore Parade continues with Killing the Dream, and while their proper debut full-length may not be as overpowering as some of the label's other recent offerings, what it does offer is a solid half-hour of no-frills intensity.

The band receives incessant comparisons to Bane and Comeback Kid, and while musically, KtD play the same style of mostly breakdown-free, slightly more punk-influenced hardcore in comparison to many of their peers, they're notably more intense and angry in the vocal area, giving them about as much distance inside of the genre as possible. Elijah Horner has an irrefutably harsh voice, searing his chords until they're suffering from practical self-inflicted burn wounds. And while the aforementioned bands usually rely on positive vibes, In Place, Apart is a rather bleak, dark record. It's filled with hopeless observations left and right like "it's been so long since it's rained this hard / so I'll drive with the windows down to remember how it felt to be alive" and "fuck this town / fucking walk away / just walk away to die / ... / fuck everything / our youth is spent fucking blind." "If it Rains" contains the record's sole bit of harmonizing, and it's an absolutely helpless-sounding vocal melody at that. While most of the album is unrelentingly up-tempoed, the mid-section of the record seems to let up a bit solely to offer two of the bit more anthemic, "epic" tracks with "Where the Heart Is" and "We're All Dead Ends," though closer "Four Years Too Late" ends things well with a maniuplated buildup running through its course.

In Place, Apart is a definitively promising debut of sorts. It's fair to say the band would do well to expand on the rare moments of melody here and give its tight rhythm section and guitarists who show the occasional flash of brilliance a bit more prominence, but right now, a solid recording and inspired sound should do well for Killing the Dream, too.

MP3
Rough Draft

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Anonymous (April 24, 2006)

this band is the best ever if they break up i will cry 4 ever

Anonymous (February 16, 2006)

This record is great, these guys are only getting started. The drummer is amazing. My favorite song is Sick of Sleeping, it rips. go get this record.

etwiels88 (February 13, 2006)

This album easily gets four stars. Fucking great album and band.

Anonymous (December 25, 2005)

If you like this band check out THE VOICE www.myspace.com/thevoicethevoice.
They and KTD have 2 of the same members

Anonymous (November 7, 2005)

the best band ever

Anonymous (October 15, 2005)

Pressure Point
Killing the Dream(Lp release show)
Hanover Saints
The Answer
The Long Run

Friday October 21
Boardwalk
Orangeville California
7 pm

inagreendase (October 15, 2005)

I know their respective earlier material was pretty brim-filled, but you can't tell me the breakdowns on either of those band's newest records aren't few and far between. Not that it's a bad or good thing.

That, and I don't think most of you understood that I was trying to deflect the Bane/CK comparisons the band consistently receives through press, other reviews, etc.

colton (October 14, 2005)

GIve him a break, faggot. He normally listens to Kid Dynamite and stuff that is actually labeled "melodic hardcore."

Anonymous (October 14, 2005)

the dude who reviewed this is fucking crazy. there's tons of melody on this record, and this record is MUCH better than just a 'solid debut.' shit man, fix your fucking ears.

colton (October 14, 2005)

Cursed is way sludgier and darker.

Anonymous (October 14, 2005)

ehhh, i'm gonna disagree with you about the cursed thing.

Anonymous (October 14, 2005)

i like this mp3 alot.......doesnt sound like either of those bands........ i havent heard much from cursed but im getting a cursed vibe from this......anyone want to confirm this i might just be talking shit

colton (October 14, 2005)

P.S. We're all fucked, SO FUCK IT UP.

colton (October 14, 2005)

Brian, all of those bands, including Killing the Dream, do indeed have breakdowns. Anyways, this cd is way better than a 3/5, c'mon.

bizzlebrizzle (October 14, 2005)

Bane is breakdown free!?

WHA?

inagreendase (October 14, 2005)

The font on the spine looked an awful lot like Ryan Patterson's signature style until I actually held KTD's up next to one of Patterson's. It's still a really similar formula (bolded band name, unbolded album title, label initials and catalog number subscripted).

benz (October 14, 2005)

Even though this cover is really stereotypical of the genre, I like it. I assume Jacob Bannon made it since it's on deathwish. Haven't heard this, but Deathwish is a real solid label.

-benz

Anonymous (October 14, 2005)

haven't heard this one yet, but i'm a big fan of their last one. intense as hell, though i wouldn't really compare them to bane or comeback kid.

Anonymous (October 14, 2005)

Jacob Bannon is an emokid.

SomeoneAnonymous (October 14, 2005)

Now that is some real emo cover art.

soulbleed (October 14, 2005)

this is good. recommended.

Flowbee (October 14, 2005)

Their last full length was so good. The Goonies quote at the end of it is beauty. I can't wait to pick this one up.

And I actually kinda like the incredibly stereotypical cover.