First off when you listen to this you know you're listening to hardcore. But like other Overcome efforts, you also are feeling the blaze of metal. Still it's not metalcore like you're used to hearing. This is perfectly blended metal influenced hardcore. This album is without a doubt their master piece album. Yes I personally find this one more enjoyable than even When Beauty Dies, but that's just my opinion, and it leaves The Life of Death choking and gasping behind.
Production is the main thing here for me. It's really really good, again I feel akin to When Beauty Dies. Blessed Are the Persecuted was the album to make us love Overcome, but it's albums like WBD and this one that brings that love to a new level. None of those "buzzy" muddy guitars that Life... treated us with, making it possible to just barely hear those metal leads. No sir the leads here are blazing and in your face.
Despite the full lineup change, Overcome still manages to create a sound very reminiscent of what you have come to expect...how does that happen?!? Which is fine, after all if it's not broke, don't fix it!
Knowing me like you do you already know that the song "Reverence" is certainly one of my favorite songs on the CD. Come on piano driven hardcore? That's going to do it for me anyday! What makes this song so amazing is there are no clean, or smooth, or whatever you want to call it, but there are not NICE vocals laid over top of this beautiful piano piece. It's fully on Jason hardcore vocals for the length of the entire song. It creates such an amazing feel to have the serenity of the piano backed with light drum work, and acoustic guitar and the passionate abrasive hardcore vocals. WOW, good job guys!
I'd have to say that Jason's vocals are better on this album than they were on Life... but that could be simply because the production of Life... was low and not really because his vocals are better. The bottom line is he just SOUNDS better here. Did you like When Beauty Dies? If you do you WILL like this album. Did you not like Life..., you will probably like this album!
10/10
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #83Reviewed by A Girl Called GordonI don't think I have heard a bad Overcome CD. The band keeps getting better. The lyrics are stronger, guitar riffs are more eloquent, and bass and drum lines are more consistent. This is a solid project. The mixing of the drums is a little harsh, though.Dead Zine 1999Reviewed by GrindboyAs the revolving door of band members continues to cycle, Overcome continues to sound exactly the same. Now I don't know about you, but that's exactly what I was hoping for from this album. Brutal metallic hardcore with huge grooves and more interesting than average guitars are served up, and my high expectations are absolutely met. When Beauty Dies and The Life of Death are what made Overcome…Similar sounding releases
2001HospitalStare
2003EnamoredA Weapon for War
1998xDisciplexImitation of Love
1999ChaliceDeathmask Grin
2005Mercury SwitchTime to Shine
2000ShockwaveAutohate
