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REVIEW: A Life Once Lost - Iron Gag
Ferret Music, 2007
The first thing that comes to my mind when talking about ALOL music is its unpredictable dimension. Yes it reminds some very famous bands like The Dillinger Escape Plan but you never know what you're gonna get the next second. Even though it's really consistent on the whole. The music is not so fast but rather heavy and requires some good skills. It's always about crossover, in between power metal and more rock stuff. I think for example about Faith No More or Life Of Agony. It's really worth pointing that out, since these bands are not really trendy anymore. And the style they incarnate as well.To me it sounds now really fresh to recall these big dawgs. Especially today because metal can really turn to be more and more technical along with the most complicated rhythmic structures. So it's good in my opinion to have such bands around that keep on preaching simplicity and efficiency. There's also a kind of heat in this CD (due partly to the production that perfectly fits) and that contrasts also with the cold surgery we get with some other bands.
It's not pure brutality but well balanced with a lot of energy but also a melodic touch sometimes. Iron Gag was made to allow an easy listening and this goal is achieved. Maybe it's lacking some originality to make Iron Gag a more important release. I mean I don't believe it can even be a corner stone in ALOL's career. But still it's very pleasant to listen to.
The strange thing is that the music can be heavy and light at the same time. It's difficult to explain of course but you have to experience Pigeonholed to know what I mean. Palm muted parts that switch to saturated quiet arpeggios and then some heavy chords. I think that ALOL's music could be addressed to an extended audience. Others Die is also very mainstream in a way for a metal band.
Technically speaking no one tries to shine individually by showing off with everlasting soli. Every one is here to serve the general band's interests and make a strong musical monolithic block. Vocals from Bob Meadows remind pretty much Lamb of God's Randy Blythe style. Even though I can't unfortunately speak of the lyrics since I didn't get the booklet... Now I'd like to check out what ALOL sounds like live. They made me hope for the best with this album!
| Tracklist |
| 1. Firewater Joyride |
| 2. Detest |
| 3. The Wanderer |
| 4. Worship |
| 5. All Teeth |
| 6. Meth Mouth |
| 7. Masks |
| 8. Pigeonholed |
| 9. Others Die |
| 10. Silence |
| 11. Ill Will |
: 41.20
| Buy other A Life Once Lost albums |
