Oh how wonderful! This is just what the Metal scene needs in 2006 - yet another U.S. Metalcore band. If you haven't been dissuaded from reading further, then I shall inform you that all the expected clichés are present. Side-combed hair? Check! Black shirts and ties? Check! Screaming verses followed by melodic choruses? Check! Emo lyrics? Yes... check!
Straight out of the Buffalo, NY scene, It Dies Today are yet another in a long line of young U.S. bands (the average age of the members is apparently only 20) attempting to straddle along the lines of the Metal, Hardcore and Emo genres. Following on from successful U.S. tours with the likes of Trivium and Alexisonfire, they went on to play the O$$fest Second Stage in 2005, which led to much acclaim, culminating in their U.K. debut with Trivium.
There is little doubt that this band are in prime position to crack the Metal mainstream, given their image and currently-in-vogue sound. To many of the more discerning listeners however, they represent another finely-tuned product of an increasingly overworked production line. The sub-genre of Metalcore has fast become the new Nu-metal. Indeed, there is even a valid argument that, despite being considerably heavier than its predecessor, it is equally as generic and creatively stagnant.
The European release of this album will contain the 6 bonus tracks from their debut EP Forever Scorned, giving European fans an added incentive to invest in it. There is however an overwhelming sense of deja vu while listening to tracks such as Severed Ties Yield Severed Heads and Naenia that give the unshakable feeling that, despite their age, It Dies Today have little new to offer a flagging scene.
So how do I sum this up, while trying to remain diplomatic? Well, if you are an Emo/Metalcore kid who likes all the aforementioned clichés in large quantities, then you will love this. If on the other hand, you are physically sick of the sight of this nonsense, like the rest of us, then you should avoid this like the plague. I suggest we move along, there is absolutely nothing to see here...