Looking for a more melodic and more metal FewLeftStanding than what you got on their debut album Regeneration of Self? Well if you are look no further than their new release on Takehold Records entitled Wormwood and you will find exactly what you need.
The new album is, as mentioned filled with melody and metal blended with superb attention to detail. These guys have seriously matured both musically and lyrically in the year and a half or so since their first album came out. The 50 minutes of mayhem are encompassed in 13 tracks with one being a short instrumental song called '10,000 Angry Hardcore Kids.' Filled with interesting metalcore styled leads, and Chris' polished vocal style as the main vocals from the first album this disc gets better with each listen. In addition we are treated to a few gang vocals, 'Give Credit Where Credit Is Due' is half spoken not even sung, singing style lyrics all keep you deep into the music presented here.
Something is different about the guys in this band from the average Christian metalcore band though. It becomes apparent when you read their lyrics that they are growing tired of the complacency amongst Christians and Christian bands these day. 'The Latest Fad' lays it on the line for other bands, challenging them with;
Christ becomes a trend rather than a thirst
talk the talk but can't walk the walk
it's all a spit and polish veneer
The song 'No Apology' is lyrically a song I personally have been waiting for a band to write for a long time now. Simply put it states I'll respect your freedom of speech but you have to respect mine as well. I could go on dissecting their lyrics but I don't think I need to. Each song on this disc is unashamedly Christian, well thought out and very poignant.
In addition to the instrumental one other song stands out musically and that's the closing/title track 'Wormwood.' Bottom line here is it's an emo song. Immensely passionate lyrics are sung, in a not quite so nasally approach with extremely melodic music. It's a good song and a great CD closer as it brings you back down after the frenzy of the other 12 tracks. It's kind of like the band is offering you a band-aid for the wound they gave your neck after ripping your head off.
Lister's bottom line here is this is a superb album that picked up where Regeneration of Self left off. It shows a great deal of growth for the band and if you liked their previous album you are not a complete human without owning a copy of Wormwood.
9/10
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis January 2002Reviewed by Nate BaileyFew Left Standing is from Memphis, TN. This album was originally released by Takehold records, but will soon be re-released by Solid State Records. I know very little about FLS. However they hold the record for one of the most impressive acts I have seen during a live performance. At the Decapolis stage during Cornerstone this summer, the bass player did a standing back flip with his bass. Sick.…Art for the Ears 2002Reviewed by Marco PovervestWormwood was initially released by Takehold Records in 2001. But after the takeover by Solid State Records it was re-released this year. However, the copy I've got is the Takehold original sent to me by a regular supporter of Art For The Ears who thinks this band deserves more attention. Now I'm listening to it, the question becomes relevant: Does this band deserve more attention? Personally I…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Duncann TrippThere are two basic styles of hardcore music. There is the higher pitched screaming hardcore, often blended with a kind of emo. Then there's the low growling, dropped-tuning crunch that ignores all forms of trickery and just blows out your eardrums with sheer heaviness, like Fewleftstanding. There aren't a lot of flashy solos on this album, but there is plenty of beef. Vocally, Fewleftstanding is…HM Magazine #91Reviewed by Mike D. FrostFew Left Standing's new album, Wormwood, is a commanding upgrade for them. You can definitely hear certain influences on their music, such as Living Sacrifice, N.I.V., and a touch of Embodyment. This is a passionate album that will hopefully get more positive press and launch them into new venues with a stronger fan-base. Their combination of perceptive lyrics and stabbing guitars make you sit up…Dead Zine 2001Reviewed by the ProjectWHOA NELLY! Wormwood by Fewleftstanding is an AWESOME album! CD's like this make me happy to know that new bands can make an immediate impact. This disk is spooky, fast, nuts and well you get the point. The band is kinda spaz-core and VERY LOUD! They have some quite funky rhythms followed into an onslaught of core. WOW!! God really blessed these guys because these musicians are truly amazing.…Dead Zine 2001Reviewed by Hey YouThis is the sophomore release from Takehold's premiere metalcore band, FewLivingSacrifice. I mean LivingSacrificeLeftStanding. I mean FewLeftStanding. The reason for the insanely corny play on words is that FLS was a LS rip-off. The keyword in that last sentence: WAS. With this release, they are no longer a rip-off. They are a full-fledged metalcore machine, with a sound all their own. Yes, at…Similar sounding releases
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