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Bad Religion - New Maps of Hell (Deluxe)

The so-called "tough guy hardcore" subgenre is a pretty limited one as far as songwriting is concerned. Generally, it's too much muscle and not enough brains. Bands like (new) Throwdown feel the need to make themselves out to be the manliest of men by ripping off Pantera and throwing in as many cookie cutter breakdowns as possible. This is where Bury Your Dead have always been a little special to me.

Even with subpar production, their first album is fantastically fun. They changed up song tempos, added extra little spices like breaks from screaming and throwing in a shouted "yeah" or my personal favorite "fuckin' tie 'em up, baby!" The second album, and Victory Records debut, saw heightened (understatement) production and a little more monotonous songwriting. Even though it wasn't as varied as its predesessor, the album was still insanely fun. Some say its production was over the top; I dissagree. There was nothing added, just straight up clarity of all 5 instruments and vocals that sounded like a wrecking ball coming out of my Infinity Kappa 3-way car stereo speakers.

Enter the present day with a new album and concept. Beauty and the Breakdown is also a step in a different direction for BYD. Gone are most of the really fun vocals/lyrics, insanely fun dance parts and, most disheartening, insane spastic drumming from Mark Castillo. This new direction is a more straightforward metalcore approach. While not entirely in the category of Unearth or As I Lay Dying, it is most definitely a step in that direction. Most of the songs are stripped-down chug-fests with simple drumming. There are also a few attempts at melodic guitar work that sound like it could easily have clean vocals on top ("Let Down Your Hair," for instance). It just doesnt fit the songs as well as "Magnolia" worked on the previous album. This new approach hurts the album. BYD's heaviness has always came from the spastic drumming and dance parts and without them the album lacks.

The production has also taken a step back, understandably since many complained about the previous effort, and even I'll admit the guitars sounded (only slightly) goofy or off-kilter. Instead of the beefed up production, the band has decided to add little electronic parts here and there throughout. Again, this is not BYD. It sounds out of place to me. It sounds like they are trying to make music that isn't natural for the band.

It isn't all bad though, thus the decent rating. I still enjoy it if I don't compare it to their other records. It's definitely brutal and I do enjoy turning it up until my ears ring. Many of the songs have a lot of energy, like "House of Straw" and "Twelfth Stroke of Midnight" -- it's just not the same energy I'm used to from the band. It's more guitar-driven energy. It's also refreshing to listen to "Trail of Crumbs," which sounds like it would fit right at home on Cover Your Tracks.

All in all, if you haven't liked the band in the past, you still probably won't like them. If you don't understand the genre, you probably won't like this. BYD has never been about writing technical songs. They aren't about writing pieces of art. Nor are they about writing poetic pieces. This is music that's supposed to turned up to loud volumes and make you want to dance and break stuff. Period. If that isn't your cup of tea, this record won't change your mind. If it is, pick it up and enjoy. Just don't spend too much time comparing it to the band's other work.



People who liked this also liked:
Converge - Jane DoeUnderoath - Define the Great LineKillswitch Engage - Alive Or Just BreathingThe Bronx - The Bronx (2006)Comeback Kid - Turn It AroundBane - Give BloodBane - Holding This MomentThe Hope Conspiracy - EndnoteMinus The Bear - Highly Refined PiratesMinus The Bear - Menos El Oso



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    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 9, 2007 at 5:03 PM (EST)

    this album wins the award for shitiest name.

    Posted by Buryyourdead306 on 2006-09-01 00:44:02

    Dude...the drumming sounded different before because it wasn't a real drummer

    Anonymous your a freakin IDIOT!! that was as real a drummer as i dont know what.

    god your stupid!

    Posted by Snakes on 2006-08-18 20:23:56
    My Score:

    wow, how original, i didn't see this comin

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 10, 2006 at 3:06 PM (EDT)

    Dude...the drumming sounded different before because it wasn't a real drummer

    Posted by crazytoledo on 2006-08-03 13:05:19

    Also, anonymous, I was only so offended because you thought I was toledo. That IS offensive. In a tongue in cheek sort of way...

    I think it's more offensive giving a 7 to a Bury Your Dead album.

    Why is there no review of the new 18Visions album?

    Hopefulyl there'll be one up soon. I submitted one. And surprisngly enough, the score might surprise some people.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 3, 2006 at 12:02 AM (EDT)

    You fucks are a bunch of losers. For good hardcore listen to some another breath, how we are, achilles, verse, and don't tell me otherwise. Hope you all get fatally injured in "the pit"!!!!

    Posted by EyesLikeBombs on 2006-08-02 23:20:41

    And by the way, this shit is actually pretty good.

    Posted by EyesLikeBombs on 2006-08-02 23:20:15

    I agree with Dave. This shit doesn't take itself seriously enough to be called tough guy.

    Posted by davebrave4 on 2006-08-01 01:54:08

    I know I'm not the most knowledgeable guy in the world about this particular scene/genre, but I don't really tend to think of bands like Bury Your Dead and Throwdown as tought-guy hardcore. I think of tough-guy hardcore more as bands like Terror.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 at 1:18 AM (EDT)

    Why is there no review of the new 18Visions album?

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, July 31, 2006 at 11:54 PM (EDT)

    "And Capitalist Casualties live are just that, good but pretty average."

    When/where did you see them?

    And aren't you the guy who thinks awesome bands like Regulations and Fucked Up are "overrated" under the covert guise that you listen to music for "originality" or something. Pathetic!

    -Will

    Posted by tenwestchaser on 2006-07-31 21:38:57

    "How the hell is a 7 a crappy review?
    A 7 means "pretty damn good".
    REMEMBER PEOPLE. 5 is a good but slightly average album."

    Thanks, that's what I thought. But hey, ya catch flack no matter what when you write a luke warm review for an album. People are pissed cuz the rating isnt high enough or people are pissed because I didn't make fun of it. I thought my review was pretty "to the point" with my OPINION of the album. Also, anonymous, I was only so offended because you thought I was toledo. That IS offensive. In a tongue in cheek sort of way...

    Posted by givemeamuseumandillfillit on 2006-07-31 18:10:48

    And Capitalist Casualties live are just that, good but pretty average.

    Posted by givemeamuseumandillfillit on 2006-07-31 18:09:04

    How the hell is a 7 a crappy review?
    A 7 means "pretty damn good".
    REMEMBER PEOPLE. 5 is a good but slightly average album.

    Posted by mattp330 on 2006-07-31 16:36:26

    i actually really enjoy the songs i've heard off of this, more then cover your tracks

    Posted by crazytoledo on 2006-07-31 12:25:16

    Posted by JLJL on 2006-07-28 15:48:44

    That comment was funny because you do listen to generic crap!


    Thank you Mr. Obvious.

    Ouch...I knew people on this site can be harsh, but shit. Fuck you 'anonymous' poster. I'm thoroughly offended. Was this comment made because this music reviewed isn't your beloved guter punk? My review didn't quite glorify or shit on this release.

    Hahahaha. Either way, I find it funny that your that easily offended. And just to let you know, I don't even like this.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, July 31, 2006 at 3:12 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    This was the shittiest review I've ever read. Really crappy stuff man. This album kills. Bury Your Dead is STILL full of surprises, and this album disappoints noone, trust me. The vocals are great, the guitar work is amazing, and the drumming is tight as fuck.

    Bury Your Dead is not your average chugg-core band, they add little twists, play around with tempos and bridges, and they know how to keep a song interresting.

    This album is great. Don't read the worthless piece of crap review above.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, July 31, 2006 at 2:08 AM (EDT)

    Hey Ken, the singer for my band is going up to Lincoln to see them! I have stuff to do in KC (organizing, moving, etc.), but I'm pumped just to know someone who's gonna see them... I hear they fucking rip.

    -WilliamMarinovic

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, July 31, 2006 at 12:18 AM (EDT)

    As much as the mere existence of this style of shit music irks me, I have to say that myself having seen Capitalist Casualties absolutely destroy last night....well, everything is kinda alright with the world. Yeah, man. Hug a rainbow.

    -Ken

    Posted by gladimnotemo on 2006-07-29 23:53:02

    I just saw four commericals for this album in about 10 minutes of watching TV.

    "ON the FAMILY VALUES SUMMER TOUR THIS SUMMER!!!!"

    Posted by ElVaquero on 2006-07-28 23:20:10

    this shit is just kinda dumb

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 28, 2006 at 8:35 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Dude.

    He says "It's fuckin' time to rock baby."

    Get facts right if you're going to write reviews. It's basic journalism.

    Posted by tenwestchaser on 2006-07-28 20:34:33

    "gutter"...since I know some smart ass comments will be made about spelling/grammar...

    Posted by tenwestchaser on 2006-07-28 20:33:35

    "I get the feeling that this reviewer is Toledo."

    Ouch...I knew people on this site can be harsh, but shit. Fuck you 'anonymous' poster. I'm thoroughly offended. Was this comment made because this music reviewed isn't your beloved guter punk? My review didn't quite glorify or shit on this release.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 28, 2006 at 6:53 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    pantera sucks, metal sucks, victory sucks

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 28, 2006 at 6:00 PM (EDT)

    I get the feeling that this reviewer is Toledo.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 28, 2006 at 5:25 PM (EDT)

    Pantera sucks. Lame tough guy/red neck bullshit. Yes, Dimebag and company were good musicians, their music still sucks.

    Posted by rkl on 2006-07-28 15:54:05

    id rather listen to pantera.

    Posted by JLJL on 2006-07-28 15:48:44

    That comment was funny because you do listen to generic crap!

    Posted by Mixhail on 2006-07-28 15:39:58
    My Score:

    im not a fan of beatdown/hatebreed-core music since its way to simple, but Bury Your Dead actually makes it interesting. They totally dont take the genre seriously (naming entire albums after Tom Cruise movies and Fairy Tales) and Mark Castillo is an awesome drummer. This cd is probably their best work, and every song sounds as distinct as possible for playing open low e-strings over and over again. I really like the electronic parts, especially on "The Poison Apple", and the cleaner, melodic parts, like on "The Enchanted Rose" and "House of Brick." The best track would have to be "A Wishing Well" though, since its fucking heavy as fuck the entire time.

    Granted, BYD is no Converge or Dillinger Escape Plan, but they are enjoyable for playing such simple shit.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 28, 2006 at 2:23 PM (EDT)

    it baffles me the things people would rather listen to than the replacements.

    Posted by crazytoledo on 2006-07-28 13:59:26

    Yea that comment was kind of funny.

    Posted by tylerdurden8136 on 2006-07-28 13:27:41

    Most inadvertently hilarious comment of all time, ever, ever, ever!!

    No offense Toledo, but damn, that's funny.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 28, 2006 at 12:11 PM (EDT)

    But in the end I was too lazy to write a review for this album because it's a little too generic and boring for my tastes.

    Most inadvertently hilarious comment of all time, ever, ever, ever!!

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 28, 2006 at 11:48 AM (EDT)

    This was pretty boring and unremarkable. I look to Unearth for the metalcore lesson.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 28, 2006 at 11:28 AM (EDT)

    magnolia is probably the only song i like by these guys. oh well.

    Posted by crazytoledo on 2006-07-28 11:14:17
    My Score:

    Eh, so I take it this album is 'fun.'

    Posted by crazytoledo on 2006-07-28 11:04:07
    My Score:

    Well I like the first song and their are a few moments...

    But in the end I was too lazy to write a review for this album because it's a little too generic and boring for my tastes.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 28, 2006 at 10:02 AM (EDT)

    The score is for their Track naming, although not as good a mockery like the Tom Cruise movies on Cover Your Tracks, the fairy tale references are still decent!

    Posted by k-dubs on 2006-07-28 01:18:19
    My Score:

    score is for the number of times you said insane or insanely fun in your review.

    Posted by Cheesetits on 2006-07-28 00:43:51

    Wait wait wait....no sign of toledo? WTF is going on here?

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 28, 2006 at 12:26 AM (EDT)

    This is good stuff; I think the band's completely tongue-in-cheek attitude lightens things up and keeps it from getting stale like some other acts.

    Posted by tylerdurden8136 on 2006-07-28 00:24:19

    I always liked Cover Your Tracks for some reason or another, and while I can't say if I like this new one yet because I only just recently listened to it, but I'm hoping I enjoy it just as much.

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