Reviewed by Graeme Crawford

With a frenetic riff, brutally pounded drums and a cry of pain, AILD launch into their latest stunning release. Thunderously heavy, tremendously technical, poetically worded, beautifully blended with hardcore and melodic elements, this is an album that exudes a positive outlook and is to my mind the best As I Lay Dying record to date. The opening trio of tracks are possibly the greatest opening to an album of this type that I have ever heard. The quality does diminish slightly in the middle, as the inspiration level drops, but even the weaker tracks have redeeming features. "No Lungs To Breathe" is a bit by-the-numbers, however it features a fantastic guitar solo, while the instrumental "Washed Away" works as an introduction to the brilliant closing duo of "My Only Home" and "Tear Out My Eyes". Sonically satisfying production by Descendents' drummer Bill Stevenson, he has clearly been careful not to over polish the band's sound and leaves some rough edges to the guitars and vocals. I have played this almost daily since I received it.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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