The End

The End: ElementaryElementary (2007)
Relapse Records

Reviewer Rating: 3.5

Contributed by: Ben_ConoleyBen_Conoley
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on February 23rd 2007For a long time the End stood as Canada's answer to Dillinger Escape Plan. The band's first full-length, 2004's Within Dividia was a tech-metal powerhouse and was a great example of how bringing a new vocalist on board doesn't have to spell the end for a band. Those looking for a logical follow-u.

For a long time the End stood as Canada's answer to Dillinger Escape Plan. The band's first full-length, 2004's Within Dividia was a tech-metal powerhouse and was a great example of how bringing a new vocalist on board doesn't have to spell the end for a band.

Those looking for a logical follow-up to Within Dividia should probably consider looking elsewhere. With Elementary, the End has taken a turn drastic enough to warrant taking on a new name. The only real similarity with 2004's the End and that of present day is that of excellent musicianship. But while Elementary may not be what people might have expected, it would be a shame for anyone to dismiss this album simply because it incorporates a little more diversity into the mix. Anyone who refuses to give the album a fair shake is only doing a great disservice to themselves.

There's still a clear element of chaos with the End's new sound, although this time around it relies less on technical wizardry and more on a well-defined sense of doom and more importantly, on Aaron Wolff's newly displayed vocal range. Unlike on previous efforts, Wolff actually sings this time around. While Within Dividea showcased Wolff (who was making his first recorded appearance with the band) as someone who could match their previous vocalist blood-curdling scream for blood-curdling scream, Elementary allows him to grow exponentially in his role. On songs such as "Animal," Wolff revisits the band's old sound, as do the rest of the band. It's nice that the elements of their sound that helped earn them the word "math" thrown into the vocabulary that used to be employed in describing them still show up from time to time.

While at times the End might sound a little too mainstream metal or heavy rock for the punk connoisseur (especially on "Throwing Rocks," which sounds an awful lot like Tool), it's great to see the band firmly establishing themselves as their own entity. I'm not going to lie to you, a lot of punk purists are going to be turned off by Elementary, and that's fair. However, the band's newest endeavor here will likely see them swell well beyond their established fanbase, which is a good thing, because the songs on it are simply massive.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

dontrockthejukebox (September 10, 2007)

Complete failure and disappointment.

Went to see The End, expecting to walk home with a melted face like last time I saw them...

The End is not supposed to sing! I should look like I'm having a seizure when I headbang to them, not that their set was headbang-worthy. Fuck. Consider this the end of The End.

darwingivingin (March 30, 2007)

since when is it gay to play acoustic? what the fuck is wrong with your fickle mind? i'm tired of trite recycled sounds and bands; rest assured i gave this a 3 stars since yes; it doesn't seem they've completely found their own sound but it is definitely far from garbage. do you listen to mudvayne boy?

Kursk (February 28, 2007)

Within Dividia was such a good album. I've heard about 4 songs off this album and I've lost all interest in what this band may do in the future. This just wasn't a good move, on their part, at least break up "The End" and rename this or something because these are 2 totally different entities. It's ok for what it is but I can't help but think of this as trend hopping to a degree which i am not down with.

moneenerd (February 26, 2007)

1. since when does an album need to "go anywhere"?
2. what does it even MEAN for an album to "get somewhere"?
3. what bands have been able to mix 90's alt alternative and metal with modern day tech metalcore and have been able to do it better? i agree that they borrow specific styles from different bands, but none of the songs sound exactly like someone else.

i'm not saying you're wrong for not liking them, but your reasons are shiftier than mine for liking them.

Anonymous (February 26, 2007)

this album is 1. boring 2. goes nowhere 3. not original because this has been done before and better, and finally 4. has an acoustic track, some metal band. top album of 07??? wtf are YOU talking about

blake88 (February 25, 2007)

brampton represent!

moneenerd (February 25, 2007)

and i wouldnt say that a band who is constantly compared to DEP (as are hundreds of other bands) is all that original. with ELEMENTARY, the end really sets themselves apart. this is probably one of the more original records to come out in a long time, so wtf are you even talking about?

moneenerd (February 25, 2007)

The 2 releases before this had originality, but the "excellent musicianship" is greatly lacking in this album

Yeah dude. If it ain't tech, it's easy. Have you ever played a guitar before? That shit it aint that easy.
Dumbest fuckin thing ever said on this site in a while. Obviously you havent listened to half the tracks on this record, because the "excellent musicianship" can be found on every single track.

Hey_Asshole (February 25, 2007)

the end....
of this bands career, hopefully

Anonymous (February 24, 2007)

he said first FULL length. he was correct that statement.

denbez (February 24, 2007)

I think you confused this album with one that doesn't sound like Linkin Park meets the worst elements of Tool.

Anonymous (February 24, 2007)

this albus is garbage. I dont understand why this band changed to generic metalcore with clean vox in every track. The 2 releases before this had originality, but the "excellent musicianship" is greatly lacking in this album. Huge disappointment.

moneenerd (February 23, 2007)

Pfft I submitted a review for this ages ago. I SUCK!

But yeah... I love this record. I gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars. My prediction top album of 2007, and its only February!

spoon_of_grimbo (February 23, 2007)

i bought this completely randomly, without having even heard of them before... and i like it!

ben_conoley (February 23, 2007)

It's their second - the first was an EP

k-dubs (February 23, 2007)

i like it, though this is their third full length, not second.

and i like within dividea more, a lot more... though i guess you gotta consider it as a band new band, cause they don't even play songs from the old albums live anymore