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Madina Lake

From Them, Through Us, To You (2007)
Roadrunner Records

Reviewer Rating:

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

Published on March 25th 2008

Everyone knows the background story of Madina Lake and how the two brothers Nathan and Matthew Leone (who do vocals and bass respectively) were in the “twins” episode of that show everyone forgot ("Fear Factor") and won US$50,000. Blah blah blah. It really gets old sometimes.

Formed from the ashes of the twin’s former band, the Blank Theory, and rounded off by guitarist/programmer Mateo Camargo and drummer Dan Torelli, Madina Lake’s debut album From Them, Through Us, To You is about the fictional town of Madina Lake and the mysterious disappearance of the town’s most famous resident, Adalia. From what has become a concept album of sorts, clues can be found about her disappearance through the album’s lyrics and in the leaflet.

Starting off with the almost eerie instrumental “The Auspice,” the album then erupts into a foray of different topics, be it love, disappearance, loss and the band’s view on politics. “Here I Stand”'s introduction just sounds just a tad bit like Simple Plan’s “Crazy,” but rest assured, it doesn’t sound as lame. Vocals within the album are somewhat disappointing with the occasional over-scream, but this is made up for and then some with what the band is trying to accomplish overall.

“River People” is reminiscent of the Blank Theory’s sounds gone by, showing the tiny ray of experimentation that the album has. The album’s highlights like “One Last Kiss,” the debut single “House of Cards” and the in-your-face eruption of “True Love” show what Madina Lake are capable of, with pounding drumming, heavy guitar riffs and constantly shifting sounding vocals that make them stand out from the rest of the other bands in their genre.

While Madina Lake may be the odd band out on their record label (Roadrunner Records, home of Slipknot, Cradle of Filth and 3 Inches of Blood), From Them, Through Us, To You is an album that you’ll enjoy again and again, even if it takes a few turns to grow on you.

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SilentStorms (March 29, 2008)

Yikes, the songs on their MySpace fucking suck. Pass. Gas.

Bipedcasserole (March 28, 2008)

the most base perversion of metal i've ever heard. shit's straight up embarrassing. also, these assholes were the grand prize in some shampoo company's mail-in contest, presumably because they spend more time on their hair than on their music.

damnitsderek (March 28, 2008)

Joe Rogan has never done anything to make me appreciate him as an entertainer.

Brick (March 27, 2008)

You hate Joe Rogan that much?
Not a ufc fan then?

john_stone (March 27, 2008)

If being better than Disturbed is the only criteria for inclusion, this site might as well be www.allmusicevernews.com.

AndyP (March 27, 2008)

Chicago bands:

Madina Lake > Disturbed

And that's enough reason to let this be on the site, thank you very much

damnitsderek (March 27, 2008)

I didn't know that back story.

It does bring up an interesting debate, however: Who do we hate more, Madina Lake or Joe Rogan?

I think I'm going to go with Joe Rogan, though I hope my distaste for Madina Lake isn't lost in my decision.

darthnader (March 26, 2008)

Sometimes I sit here and wonder about things. Like why my high school math teacher was an asshole, or why the Apollo Sunshine and Catch 22 have to play the same town on the same night, or why albums like this get such good reviews. I am aware that I am not one to criticize (I did write what I see now as a cringeworthy review of Maylene and the Sons of Disaster) but this is a bit ridiculous. This band sounds EXACTLY like at least 15 other bands that come to mind. The song referenced (True Love) as demonstrating what they are capable of sounds like a composite of every single Underoath, Boys Night Out and Saosin song I have ever heard (a number that is regretably much too high). Sometimes it makes me sad that people enjoy hearing this type of thing 10000 times over.

feeeding5000 (March 26, 2008)

This band is the main argument for why modern "emo" is like this decade's hair metal. I guess bands like Madina Lake, et al., would be like Poison, whereas La Quiete, etc. are more like... Celtic Frost? I dunno, it's a good simile. Anyway, words cannot express yadda yadda yadda.

insinceredave (March 26, 2008)

Hhhmmm here comes another roasting....

William_Jess (March 26, 2008)

This band is fucking terrible and should move away from Chicago.

incetardis (March 26, 2008)

because there are songs on it, with guitars, bass and drums, and even a singer, a classic rock outfit so-to-say, and most people would consider the music as 'rock' too, and some would even call this 'punk', and although this would be wrong, it's a connection to this website. so i guess, that's why.

Tangy (March 25, 2008)

Why is this on here?

scorpiondeathlock (March 25, 2008)

i have never heard this band but wow do they look like faggots...