Search - Destroy the Runner :: I Lucifer

New DTR.. New sound.. Not Saints.

M. Walton | Toronto, Canada. | 04/16/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Hey everyone.

I will begin by saying that Destroy the Runner's debut album "Saints" was one of the best metalcore albums I had heard in a long time. Incredibly catchy chorus', with very well done singing, heavy breakdowns, and good screaming. All around a solid album.



Then I heard the new track off of "I, Lucifer" titled "Mr. and Mrs. Cuckoldom." I knew instantly, having heard that they were going for a new a sound, what the sound was going to be. More melodic, more of an "emo" sound (which I don't think this is emo, he's a higher pitched singer, doesn't mean it's emo."



Having listened to the entire album a few times now, I can say this. The new sound is good. Is it as good as Saints? No. Is it different than Saints, and for that matter, different from many other sounding bands? Yes.



If your looking for old DTR, with lots of screaming, heavy breakdowns, with soaring choruses, you won't find that here. But here is what you will find.



1. Crumbs for the Murder - 5/5 - Very solid opener. The heaviest on the CD. The drumming is well done throughout (this song and the entire album). Classic DTR formula here. Still not as well done as "From the Red" (From Saints, one of the greatest metal songs I've ever heard). The riff throughout the song is very memorable and it works nicely.



2. Isabella's - 5/5 - I really like this one. I like the chorus, its very catchy, and well done. I really like DTR's new harmony's, it sounds very nice with the new singer. The drumming really drives the song here again. Kudos to their drummer.



3. Mr. And Mrs. Cuckoldom - 5/5 - The first song I heard of the new album. Very good track. More screaming in this song.



4. A Bag of Marbles - 4/5 - Solid Track. Nothing to stand out, but overall a good song.



5. I, Lucifer - 4/5 - Not really sure about this song. Its a good song, with a nice main riff, just not to sure why they chose it for the title track of the C.d. I like the singing in it, but nothing to stand out again.



6. It's Always Colder in Paris - 5/5 - Very good song. The chorus is incredible catchy. Its run time is only 2:37, which is kind of disappointing coming from one of the best songs on the CD. Overall, very solid track.



7. A Pathetic Psalm - 5/5 - Some more screaming on this song. Not enough though. Soaring chorus, with backing screaming, which is nice to hear. One of the better tracks on the CD.



8. Luxuria - 5/5 - The opening few seconds sound like it could start out really heavy, with a nice breakdown, but it doesn't unfortunately. Good chorus, heavy guitars, driving drumming. Good song.



9. On Falling Leaf - 5/5 - I really like the singing in this track. Good backing screaming as well. One of the heavier songs on the album. Catchy chorus, with the drumming really driving the emotion in the song. One of the best.



10. A Novel of War - 4/5 - Probably the most melodic, softest song on the CD. Lots of really high pitched singing, almost sounding like Protest the Hero singing at some points. The chorus is decent. Nothing to special here.



11. A Mountain So Big, A Question So Small - 3/5 - Kind of disappointing for a closer. Its an ok song, nothing to great.



Overall this CD is very good, it has alot of strong points, and few not so strong.



The Upside: Solid drumming, excellent singing, creative songs.



The Downside: Not heavy enough, by a long shot. Saints had some of really heavy moments, this album does not.



Hope this was helpful! Enjoy I, Lucifer everyone. Kudos DTR.



Mike."

Disappointing, At Best

John Drummond | Pullman, WA USA | 04/15/2008

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Destroy The Runner's first album, "Saints", was a fantastic debut release. Many people compared the band to As I Lay Dying at the time, as there were many similarities between the two. Despite not being overly original, the album was solid and catchy. "I, Lucifer" is almost the complete opposite of Saints. There is absolutely nothing wrong with change and musical progression for a band, but this switch was drastic. First of all, I will admit that the drumming is still very good. The rest of the music, however, now sounds like generic alternative emo rock, with boring, melodic lead vocals.



I'm not disappointed simply because Destroy the Runner doesn't scream much anymore, I'm simply upset that they've become a non-aggressive, non-technical, emo band. The guitar playing on Saints was much more complex and better sounding than on this release, and the vocals were more passionate. Some fans will undoubtedly accept the change and enjoy this album, but many fans that loved Saints will not think too highly of this release. With this album, Destroy the Runner sounds more like Fall Out Boy than themselves. The bottom line is, there are many emo bands out there today that sound much catchier than Destroy the Runner does on this release, so I find it unlikely that this album will take their careers to the next step. DTR must resort back to their roots on their next release!"