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Staff IconRosesdead - Stages (Cover Artwork)

Rosesdead

Stages (2006)
One Day Savior

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Contributed by: Anchors
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Published on January 30th 2007


Being that the owner of One Day Savior records was the singer for former genre heavyweights Skycamefalling, it’s doubtful that the label will ever completely break away from releasing albums from bands of that ilk. Which I suppose is fine, just on the condition that what they do release continues to be solid and enjoyable.

Barring the fact that they have one of the most clichéd band names I’ve ever come across, Rosesdead bring it when it comes down to the actual music. Obviously it’s not going to be original and it’s not going to be groundbreaking, but what it is is an album that plays to its strengths above all else, and many of those strengths lie in six strings stretched across a board. Or rather, 12 strings, as the combination of Jason Mante and Brett Diederichs is one of the most fluid and most talented you’re liable to find on a metalcore record this year (or the last). Their constantly cascading solos and earth-shattering riffs keep every song interesting.

“Falling and Falling” shows their diversity best as they come out firing, with some extremely speedy progressions, before the drums and bass enter the fold to round things out. Throughout the course of the three-and-a-half-minute duration, the riffs rise and fall, darting back and forth and keeping you on your toes. It’s so important with an album like this, that a listener may immediately establish familiarity with other like records, that something is done differently to grab attention from the beginning and never let go. That’s the only way to retain interest at this point in time, with a genre that’s been done to death more times than anyone has the ability to count. Those two guitarists are this band's cornerstone, and every piece is carefully placed on top of them; all the while they’re heavily and precisely rocking the very foundation. And just when it seems they’ve really settled into a goove, a great solo breaks out and pulls you right along with it. They will not leave you time to catch your breath, and will not leave you time to become bored with a single song on here.

Important as they are, though, they’re not the band's only two members, and the others are plenty capable of pulling their own weight. Vocalist Matthew Wedge has a ferocious and unrelenting demeanor that works perfectly with his bandmates’ intensity. The aptly named “Balance” is where they pull off a much shorter song than most that appear on Stages, and even the reduced amount of time cannot slow down their onslaught.

Showing that metalcore does still have some gas left in the tank, Rosesdead blitz full speed ahead for 40 minutes, and only a few instrumental interludes are able to break, albeit briefly, the power and momentum they so quickly establish. If One Day Savior continue to release records like this, I’ll keep listening. A Skycamefalling reunion would be nice, though...



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    Anonymous (January 31, 2007)

    Comeback Kid topped Wake the Dead with Turn it Around. Oh, wait a minute...

    moneenerd (January 31, 2007)

    Great album, but I think I am most partial to it because of Wedge's contributions to it. The EP before this wasnt all that great with the other vocalist, and the last stand-in they had before this was better suited for more of a straightforward hardcore band. I can't see them ever being able to repeat STAGES, just like CBK won't be able to top "Wake The Dead".

    SilentStorms (January 31, 2007)

    "My score of 10 is for having two black guys in this band."

    I would never give a band stars for being of any specific racial descent. This score is for you dumbass comment. Soooooo stupid.

    dreux (January 30, 2007)

    Album sucks, band sucks. Genre can still be creative, but it isn't here.

    blake88 (January 30, 2007)

    theyre looking for a new singer and drummer. should they just not change the name of the band? rosesdead should really be dead not reinventing this tired shite.

    Trauma16 (January 30, 2007)

    Excellent album.
    Saw these guys at SCENE fest last summer and were one of the best there.
    Not sure about the relevance, but this album is on Black Box Recordings in Canada.

    Archangel (January 30, 2007)

    "this band has literally fallen apart. its a shame. only 2 original members left: guitar and bass."

    What's literally mean?

    Anonymous (January 30, 2007)

    wedge was from fordirelifesake, not sky came falling. No worries.
    And this band has always been about Jay, so it's not a huge deal that members come and go.

    Anonymous (January 30, 2007)

    My score of 10 is for having two black guys in this band.

    moneenerd (January 30, 2007)

    this band has literally fallen apart. its a shame. only 2 original members left: guitar and bass.

    Anonymous (January 30, 2007)

    kids at my old high school like this band. The whole metalcore is shitty and tired. Including this band.

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