The Arizona metalcore band, The Word Alive, delivering an epic fist punching sophomore album, Life Cycles. Before heading into the studio they lost both their keyboardist and drummer. If you thought that was going to slow them down, think the opposite, they turned up the heat bringing everything they've got. Matt Horn did the drums for the album since Luke Holland joined the band after the studio sessions were completed. Working with big time producer Joey Sturgis, I was little worried at first that he was going to put in too much of his electronics/synths. Thankfully I was wrong as he put the right amount in every song, not once overdoing it. Very pleased to see bassist Daniel Shapiro have more of an impact on the album noticing the bass a lot more this time around. Dynamic Duo guitarists Zack Hansen and Tony Pizzuti do some straight shredding on this album that's quite impressive. The once underrated Telle Smith finally getting the respect and attention he deserves taking his already impressive vocals to the next level, both screams and cleans.
I'm going to be honest I got the chills listening to the opening track, "Dragon Spell," when Telle screams "I'm still the king of the world!" The heavy verses and deep screams go right into a huge drum blasting chorus that makes you want to sing along. I also liked how Telle takes the line from "Like Father, Like Son" on Deciever and plugs it right into the 2nd verse "This is a family/Don't fuck with family!" The first single, the love song "Entirety," when I first heard it, I knew this album was going to be everything I wanted it to be and I loved the bass in the song, just perfect. "For Your Health" has to be the smoothest song on the album with catchy verses as Telle plays the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. "Bar Fight" is one of my favorites on this album a heavy pre-chorus that jumps into a piano-led chorus that makes you wanna dance or let alone start a fight in a bar. I can only imagine what the mosh pits are going to be like to that song live. The title track is the anthem of the album starting out with "I'd rather die for what I believe/Then live a life without meaning," and then the song just takes off with remarkable instrumentals. My favorite part of the song is the bridge, the banging on the toms that leads up to a moment of silence, then boom! Telle screams so deep "So far away!" "Evolution" is the heaviest and most hateful song but I can't help to love the lyrics since we all wanna scream the lyrics to that one person we hate. "Hidden Lakes," a song about Telle's grandfather is one of my all-time favorites. The guitar work by Zack Hansen and Tony Pizzuti is perfect followed by the huge chorus with the background synth, the unexpecting transmission voice in the bridge, I wouldn't change a thing about the song. "Belong," has my favorite lyrics, since there's a point in time where we all just want to belong and find our place in this world. The best part about the song is the breakdown in the bridge, easily the best by these guys in my opinion. Don't forget about the bonus tracks, the Egyptian "Smoke Monster" and "The Conscience." When it comes to quality, you can't go wrong with those.
The Word Alive have put out an incredible record, possible AOTY contention, one of my favorites all-time. This is still just the beginning for these guys which is the best part. Can YouTube phenom Luke Holland set the table for the drums on the next record? That to me will be the biggest question, not saying he can't since he is really talented. For now though, I'm just going to blast this record over and over again for as long as I can.
I give this album a 9.7/10
Listen to - Dragon Spell
Bar Fight
Belong
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