2006 saw me introduced to hardcore kids Bury Your Dead with their album Beauty and the Breakdown. At the time I gave the album a positive review, all the while noting that hardcore was not really my scene. Bury Your Dead proved to be one of the exceptions, and in those intervening months and years I have found my affection for the band and this album growing considerably.
No, it is not the most original of music, but it was tight, heavy, and the band sounded like they were having all kinds of fun, especially with all of the fairytale-inspired song titles. So, it was with a decent amount of anticipation that I picked up their latest release, simply titled Bury Your Dead. I have had the album for awhile know and have really come to like it, although there are some significant differences between this record and its predecessor. Don't worry, it is still recognizable as a Bury Your Dead release.
My first issue with Bury Your Dead is rather insignificant when looking at the big picture, but in the small one, it bugs me. It is the cover art, I really do not like it. At a glance it is way too reminiscent of Escape the Fate's cover for Dying is Your Latest Fashion, an album that I hold no affection for. I just think the band could have come up with a better representation for this collection of songs. Now back to your regularly scheduled program.
In the years between Beauty and the Breakdown and this self-titled album, the band underwent some internal turmoil, which seems to have defined them over their career. Singer Mat Bruso, their longest tenured vocalist left the band. He was temporarily replaced by Michael Crafter (ex-Carpathian). He did not remain long and was replaced, permanently, by Myke Terry. Plus, after recording was completed, guitarist Eric Ellis left the band to be replaced by Chris Towning. It does appear, now, that the lineup is set as they move into the future.
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