Dear Ashlee Simpson fans: Are you ready to graduate to a more mature level of pseudo-angst?
If so, you will love Shadows are Security, the latest release from San Diego Christian metalcore band As I Lay Dying. If you are looking for originality and intensity, though, you may be disappointed. This album is as good as dead.
Despite the importation of various talents such as Jason Moody from No Innocent Victim, Daniel Weyandt from Zao, Matt Mentley from Throwdown and Tommy Garcia from Please Mr. Gravedigger, the album is barely decent enough to blend in with the myriad of Black Sabbath/Iron Maiden/Metallica/Pantera/Judas Priest wannabes.
Delicate lyrics reminiscent of Evanescence almost create a semblance of gothic depth. However, lead vocalist Tim Lambesis has perfected his technique to the point where his rhythmless barks are backed with all the emotion of a belch. Words? Meaning? Try syllables. At one point, Lambesis noticeably stops in the middle of a word only to resume it several beats later.
This vocal monotony is broken at times by newcomer bassist/vocalist Clint Norris on their first single, "Confined," but little else about the vocals is redeemable.
Two minutes of white noise at the beginning of "Illusions" provides a welcome break, but it does little to improve suspense or interest. It gets boring quickly, unless you are too stoned to notice the difference.
J. Bannon's cover art cannot go unmentioned, as it is nothing less than brilliant. Surreal, paint-splattered aesthetics imply that the contents are much better than they are. Its darkness works well enough with the general message, "All is meaningless and I'm so desperate and lost in the dark."
As for the Christian side of As I Lay Dying, the only message that comes across is ambiguous - is he talking about an obsessive love, or could it be a God sort of thing - which, again, is uncannily like Evanescence and every other band devoted to attracting both conservatives and anarchists. Too bad they didn't have an Amy Lee to sing it.
Fortunately, rapid, melodious riffs provide a welcome distraction from the rift between Lambesis' lyrics and vocals and distinguish Shadows are Security from As I Lay Dying's previous Frail Words Collapse. Even so, no edge has been taken off the heaviness. With their swift, intricate harmonies running non-stop over Jordan Mancino's nearly perfect drum work, Phil Sgrosso and Nick Hipa create a truly unique instrumental oasis that should satisfy head-bangers everywhere.
Just buy the karaoke version.
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