Released: Sep 15, 2009
Genre: Post-Hardcore / Synthcore
Label: Sumerian
Number Of Tracks: 13
This is Asking Alexandria's first full length on Sumerian Records and it is simply amazing.
Stand Up And ScreamFeatured review by: UG Team, on december 18, 2009 4 of 5 people found this review helpful
Sound: The last band I reviewed was Hardcore Metalphonic Sybreed, with their influences being both Metal and Electronic at the same time. Asking Alexandria have this exact same feel, the dance your ass off, bang your head till you neck breaks music that keeps the energy flowing and the rhythms in motion.
The whole album flows beautifully with every beat precise and every melody created perfectly. The harmonies provided by the band are in such sync it creates a beautifully made song. Chiodos with a little more actual hardcore tones you could argue. The symphonic keyboard melodies are very dramatic and give the listener an apocalyptic type feeling. This is obviously what a hardcore fan wants to feel, and a band should do this, because it works.
Asking Alexandria may look like the nowadays current Hairmetal or the long overdue emo rock band, but their music is straight hard with a kick of fun in every second. This can be seen in songs like Hey There Mr. Brooks and A Prophecy and virtually every other song. The band even adds mathcore/deathcore riffs to their songs, seen in When Everyday is the Weekend. This song shows off the entire band’s skill musically, with the bassist playing the very fast riff the guitarists are playing, and drums smashing through the headphones perfectly. The synthesizers are beautifully created in this song as well, giving it a fast paced retro dance video game style along with the perfectly fit metal. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: The titles of the songs throw you off, with many bands having these silly ironic and somewhat childish names. Such as If You Can't Ride Two Horses At Once You Should Get Out Of The Circus.
Luckily the singers can make up for it with nice well formed screams and a decent sense of singing. It is only decent because this type of singing has been done before way too much. It works well with the music which creates a better sense of music then a sense of singing/screaming. The problem is so many bands do this high pitched singing with the screaming, such as All That Remains, Chiodos, Every Time I Die, Bring Me The Horizon, Hit The Lights, and an externally never ending list that it is getting old. // 6
Impression: Overall the debut album of Asking Alexandria seems to be a smash hit for anyone wanting to see more of the already old and generic sing/scream music. The band has a sweet sense of actually music; it just seems old and faded nowadays. This band has great talent and a high potential of being another big band in the music scene. Stand Up and Scream is a relaxing album to lay back and drink too, with great music potential for any king of music fan. // 7
Stand Up And Scream
Reviewed by:
Vince0707, on september 14, 2009 6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Sound: First of all let me say that if you are reading this, stop what you're doing and go get this album. It is a must have for anyone who considers themselves a fan of the hardcore/metalcore/screamo or the whatever you want to call it genre. This is Asking Alexandria's first full length on Sumerian Records and it is simply amazing. For this 13 track album to be the bands first efforts is nothing short of mind blowing. From the first notes in the opening track I knew I was going be a fan. The guitar tones are crystal clear, the effects are fun, and the synth/electronica add such a nice touch to the songs. They don't over use the synth parts, so don't think they are a dance/screamo band that just wants their music played at house parties. The clean vocals are very sharp and the screams have great range(There's also guest vocals from Shaun of Alesana). I've been listening to this album on repeat and can't stop. It's addicting. My first reaction was "WHOA, this is EPIC" They have such a great balance of brutal breakdowns, crowd pleasing gang vocals, and fun syth interludes. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics fit the music so well. Everyone has their own meaning to behind lyrics so I'm not going to bore you guys with what I think all these songs mean, since I didn't write them. But some fun lines in the album include. "Cross my heart I hope you die. Left by the roadside. Karma's a bitch, right?""Get on your knees!""Load up your six-shot baby put it to my head.. Pull the trigger, blank I'd figured..put it to me, dead." Obviously these lyrics fit the sound, as you all will see. Even the screams, for as heavy as they are, can be picked up on. Everyone will find themselves singing and screaming to these guys. Which is great, since the album is called "Stand Up And Scream". // 8
Impression: Ok, so here is the best part to review about these guys. I think this will get a lot of you to follow Asking Alexandria and become instant fans. If someone asked me who Asking Alexandria sounded like, I would say...They sound like Attack Attack!, Miss May I, and We Came As Romans had an orgy and produced this band. Asking Alexandria incorporate all the best parts from these three bands in my opinion. Vocally they lean more towards Miss May I. While they musically sound similar to Attack Attack! and We Came As Romans. They definitely have some Devil Wears Prada sounding parts and some guitar work similar to The Word Alive. All these influences combined makes for a killer album. I can't say yet which song is my favorite since they are all so good. My advice is to crank up your speakers, hit play, and prepare to dance because it is such a fun album to rock out to. I'm expecting big things from this band. They are off to a great start. Everyone go get Asking Alexandria's new album Stand Up And Scream on Sumerian Records and get ready for your new favorite album of 2009! // 10
Stand Up And Scream
Reviewed by:
dhansen90, on april 16, 2010 4 of 9 people found this review helpful
Sound: Well, let me start by saying that there is absolutely nothing new to be found here. Nothing. At all. The music is horribly generic and leaves you feeling empty with ripped-off riffs and breakdowns everywhere. There are some fresh breakdowns to be found but if you're anything like me, sick of open d "odd time" chugs then they wount impress you either. The riffs are reminiscent of old as I lay dying with chug-note-chug staccato and boring to say the least. I hate that this band thinks 0-5-0-7-0-8 still works and hell I probably just tabbed a part of one of their songs. Hahaha. Might be better if they used more than two strings for the majority of their songs. Actually, I'm being nice. The guitar flat out sucks for a 2009 hardcore album. Synth is catchy in some parts. I would like it more if they actually had a synth player. A producer more than likely composed these parts. Chiodos inspired dance beats throw the pace off. The drumming is fantastic though. Not anything too different but keeps pace and carries the generic riffs very well. It is however mixed and produced very well. If I were you, I'd pick up with roots above and branches below or constellations first. // 6
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are those of a pmsing twelve year old throwing a fit and sound like it in some parts. Not creative and not good with gems like, "karmas a bitch, right?" The growls are good but throw the pace off a bit as they sound like emmure or something similar. His scream is refined and tasteful but not all the time because it sounds like a barking dog at some points. Chanting can be found, but again nothing new. The clean singing is... Not very good but not terrible. At least he keeps key well but that's not too hard because the only scale hell ever need to practice is d minor. Like every other band in the post hardcore genre. // 4
Impression: There are better bands but if you're between the ages of 12-16 this might be the best damn thing you ever heard. Tdwp is better, abr is better, and attack attack is in the same boat with these guys. The s.s. Ahhhh, were sinking. Alerion is probably the best song on the album which is very sad because its the intro. I don't love anything about this album or the stagnate post hardcore genre. I think this album will be forgotten in 2 years and tossed in the trash along with someday came suddenly and anything by a skylit drive. If someone stole this album from me I'd hunt them down and shake their hand and pray to god they hate it as much as I do. // 5
Stand Up And Scream
Reviewed by:
Joker-82, on april 07, 2011 1 of 4 people found this review helpful
Sound: This is a proper metalcore album, I enjoy every son of it, the screams are jsut awesome and the power of the instruments blows your mind, if you don't know what metalcore is, just listen to AA, they are the best example, and they also use keys to relax the atmosphere and then they bring back their energy. Just great.
Songs, one by one.
01. Alerion: This is the intro, basically a big breakdown with some screams, to get ready for te rest....(4)
02. Final Episode (Let's Change The Channel): Just awesome, the Oh my God bit gets stuck in your head and makes you headbang, I also love the verses where the singer changes from screaming to singing really quickly, then the clean chorus makess you dance. (5)
03. A Candlelit Dinner With Inamorta: this chorus is probably the catchies one, and the techno part is ass well pretty cool, I especially love the intro. (4.5)
04. Nobody Dance No More: I love this song, it has the best breakdown, this one is probably the darkest one, one of my favourites. (5)
05. Hey There Mr.Brooks: This one is allright, the clean vocals are from Shawn Milke from Alesana, who is a really good singer, anyway, a just right metalcore song (3.5)
06. Hiatus: Interlude, I really didn't like this because is wauy too techno for me. (2)
07. If You Can't Ride Two Horses At Once...You Should Get Out Of The Circus: Awesome one again, this brings back the energy after the Hiatus, (5)
08. A Single Moment Of Sincerity: hell yeah, this is one of the songs you want your ipod to play while in random mode. I love the line (this is my last request to you, hold my breath) (5)
09. Not The American Average: I think this one is my favourite, the clean vocals at the beggining are just awesome, and the clean piano part as well, a highlight of this song is the last breakdown, is sooo slow you will want to marry it (5)
10. I Used To Have A Best Friend (But Then He Gave Me An STD): Again, I don't know what bad things I can say about this one, just perfect, AA did it again. (5)
11. A Procephy: really good song, mayybe too repetitive at certain parts. (4)
12. I Was Once, Possibly, Maybe, Perhaps A Cowboy King: Again an allright song, lots of techno at the end (4.5)
13. When Everyday's The Weekend: This one is not as good as the rest, it doesn't end the album really well, anyway, still AA (3.5) // 10
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are maybe too dark at certain points but they are all very catchy and after a week you will sing along all of the songs. The screamings in this album are awesome, disturbing lows and ear-perforing highs, and the clean vocals are as well really good. // 9
Impression: Just an awesome metalcore album, with some disco-like techno and great guitars, I just miss some solos but its ok, if you want to listen to proper music, just get this CD and discover Asking Alexandria. // 10
Stand Up And Scream
Reviewed by:
ForgotForgive, on november 25, 2010 1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Sound: This is Asking Alexandrias first full-length album. In this album most of the songs I found were really really repetetive and generic but I actually happened to like the album. It has some trance-techno bits in there songs which I thought really sounded cool and fitted in with the musci but yeah like I mentiones before the album was extremely generic. Probably one of the most generic albums I've heard. // 7
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics werent too bad in my opinion because they fitted in with the musci and the lyrics werent unmeaningful in anyway or anything like that. But to some people I know will complain that these are just lame lyrics about girls and stuff and its not hardcore write about girls but honestly people can do whatever they want in terms of lyrics.
The screaming is f--king awesome. Its very good and the singing is alright as well but not good. // 7
Impression: Some of the most impressive songs on the album were :
Final Episode
Alerion
If you cant ride two horses at once
A prophecy
I used to have a best friend
What I love about the album is the screaming and the trance in the songs and what I hate about it is the repetitiveness of the musci and guitars. Because every song is breakdown after breakdown. If this album was lost or stolen from me I would probably buy it again because some of the songs are really good. // 8
Stand Up And Scream
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on may 07, 2010 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: First of all, they're sound is amazing, greater than any that I've ever heard. Some people say "I hate hardcore music because I have no idea what they are saying.", so they just let the genre of music die. Asking Alexandria is a great mix of today's new and irritable "techno beats" that resemble that from the 80's, and the scene/emo genre that kids nowadays love. Stand Up and Scream is an album that virtually anybody can enjoy at least a little, and the singing really brings up the tempo. Overall, Asking Alexandria's debut full-length album has a sound that will forever be remembered as one of the greatest hardcore album that this generation of music has to offer. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics of the album are breathtaking. Although some words like "whore" are used very commonly on a few tracks of this album, they make good use of the repitition, mixing up the words with melodic singing that an angel would envy and growling that not even Hades would be able to comprehend. In the beginning of the track "A Prophecy" it reads: "How stubborn are the scars that never fade away? Or just a gentle reminder that now are better days?" This is growled, and than it immediately goes into clean vocals: "We'll be home soon so dry your eyes." It is an amazing combination of the two styles of vocals, and I see it being very successful. Some of the lyrics are ironic, and even some of them being humorous, an example being the title "I Used To Have A Best Friend (But He Gave Me An STD)". There are also references to other media, such as the track "Hey There Mr. Brooks" and all of its lyrics. Overall, the lyrics and vocals of this album were something that I myself would take a bullet or two to save. // 9
Impression: Stand Up and Scream by Asking Alexandria tops any other album and band that I have personally heard, being number one with my favorite five bands: "Bring Me The Horizon", "As Blood Runs Black", "Blessthefall", and "Escape the Fate". They recently revealed that a new album was in the making, one that I believe will show that Stand Up and Scream was not just one of the lucky hits of the hit and miss system that exists these days in music. This band is like a comet, it only comes around every so many years, and Asking Alexandria was well worth the wait. I hope the rest of you follow what I'm saying, and support Asking Alexandria with the making of a second studio album. Congradulations, Asking Alexandria, and good luck pummeling through the music bussiness. // 10
Stand Up And Scream
Reviewed by:
The_Kempahh, on march 26, 2010 1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Sound: Emmure said it best with "Sound Wave Superior," though lacked to fill the shoes. Soncially, this is the greatest album on the face of the planet. "Stand Up and Scream" is simply put as Joey Sturgis's masterpiece. It provides punnishing breakdowns, flawless brutality, beautiful melodies, insane vocal ability, and sheer intensity by every part of the band. Songs like "A Candlelit Dinner.." and "Not the Average American" will have you jump right into the vocals, while songs like "A Single Moment.." and "Nobody Don't Dance.." have the vocals jump out at you. "I Was Once...a Cowboy King" stands out with it's brutal finnish and "The Final Episode..." keeps punching you in the face with Danny's favorite phrase. No album is complete without an epic. To further confirm that theory, "Stand Up and Scream" provides plenty of them. Songs like "If You Can't Ride Two Horses.." and "A Prophecy" never let go of your attention. An album of epic proportions deserves a grand finale. "When Everyday's the Week End" is the dark before the dawn. A perfect end to an amazing album. All in all, this album is a "must buy" and will defifnitely be on your playlist for a very long time. You will become an instant fan. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: While I have heard better lyrics, the way they are crafted is very well done. Each song provides a certain line that sticks with you, which then becomes your song identifier. "Scars don't heal when you keep cutting.." "I was meant to make you smile.." "You never said goodbye.." "I knew when I first saw you, you'd f*** like a wh*re.." The actual lyrics are pretty much taken over by the way they are sung. Danny Worsnop is one hell of a vocalist and deserves props and respect. Very well done, sir. // 9
Impression: For years, I've had my number one favorite album of all time: Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses by Slipknot. "Stand Up and Scream" is the greatest album I've ever heard and has now become my number one all time favorite. I'm a hardcore musician myself, and I nearly gave up doing it because I knew I would never be as good as they guys. Buy this album and tell all your friends about it. I'm pretty sure they will like it, too.. // 10
not trying to hate on the band, but this album is pretty generic. most of the songs are really predictable, and they've definitely ripped off some other bands.
I know everyone says "You can't judge a book by it's cover" but that statement is becoming less and less true with every drop C scenecore band that emerges from the cesspool of modern music. Look at them, they've all got exactly the same haircut. Know what that says? It says "we're a fan of breakdowns, DOOBLEBASS and ironic synth".
I know everyone says "You can't judge a book by it's cover" but that statement is becoming less and less true with every drop C scenecore band that emerges from the cesspool of modern music. Look at them, they've all got exactly the same haircut. Know what that says? It says "we're a fan of breakdowns, DOOBLEBASS and ironic synth".
2/10
Yes, and now that this decade is over i think they something else shall be made, no more "X-core" genres there too many out there now ans they all pretty much have the same quality, i'm not gonna lie that some of them have some unique things, but we don't need anymore!
you know most people don't know this, but this band started here in Dubai and this where they became famous! hopefully people will now see that there is a large metal scene down here!!
so i read through the comments and saw this... "listen through i couldn't identify a guitar riff that couldnt be classified as a breakdown". Are you deaf??? and this is a great overall album if you actually listen to it and know what your talking about(take a listen to every individual instrument and vocals). The lyriics are good. who cares if they had some fun with the lyrics in some of the songs? The vocalist is a thousand times better that the vocalist for miss may i!! i've seen them live. Theyre good but are not in comparison to this band when it comes to playing live. 10/10
you know most people don't know this, but this band started here in Dubai and this where they became famous! hopefully people will now see that there is a large metal scene down here!!
Sorry but you have it wrong.
This isn't the band from Dubai. That band was named EndOfReason and then became Asking Alexandria but then broke up maybe a month after that.
Ben Bruce then left Dubai to go back home to England and kept the name and started a new band with Danny Worsnop, James Cassells, Cameron Liddell, and some other dude in York.
This band isn't the band from Dubai. This band is a Yorkshire based band.
And if you don't believe me I have proof from Ben Bruce doing an interview with Capitol Choas.
anyone who said this album is generic, you should probably just not speak. asking alexandria is anything but generic. its ok if your not a metalcore fan, but then dont post comments on metalcore bands, because as far is it goes, asking alexandria is utterly epic. dont try to trash them if you dont know what your talking about.
"The problem is so many bands do this high pitched singing with the screaming, such as All That Remains, Chiodos, Every Time I Die, Bring Me The Horizon, Hit The Lights." Chiodos I believe is the only band listed there that fits the reviewers statement. All That Remains has normal, good singing, Everytime I Die uses southern style rock vocals, Bring Me The Horizon has no singing at all. I dont know about Hit The Light as I have never listened to them before.
this band is pretty epic, Danny is really talented as a vocalist. To me, at least, they stand out from the crowd.
Wait Hit The Lights?? high pitched singing... i think not they are like New Found Glory.
On a side note... I like how they wrote about Mr. Brooks.
possibly the most mixed review
either best band or worst band?
for what they're trying to do they're good and thats
what i judge music on in my opinion it is pretty good for making you just want to scream along to but the synth gets on my nerves and maybe a few two many breakdowns but who cares
I love how all of you who hate on this kind of music act like you're doing a public service to the music world by telling us to not listen to certain bands because of how they dress or the amount of breakdowns in their songs.
So how about all of you post links to your bands here and we can trash your music and talent and the way you dress..come on, im sure you all are ready to take the world by storm with your chart topping hits, right?
Dude you definately shouldnt write them off as another attack attack, i've listened to both bands extensively and asking alexandria is head and shoulders above attack attack in terms of talent and songwriting ability
Only have one thing to say.
This is to the first Reviewer.
This is nothing like Every Time I Die.
There isnt one thing about this band (although they arent bad) that is like ETID. I have to think that the reviewer has never heard ETID, because they dont play in drop c, Keith Buckley does not growl, and there is no double bass breakdowns, and certainly no synth. Fail reviewer.
I love how all of you who hate on this kind of music act like you're doing a public service to the music world by telling us to not listen to certain bands because of how they dress or the amount of breakdowns in their songs.
So how about all of you post links to your bands here and we can trash your music and talent and the way you dress..come on, im sure you all are ready to take the world by storm with your chart topping hits, right?
this band is extra epic and pretty talented. Sumerian records only signs bands if they truly have something special (with the exception of stick to your guns and sleeping giant). most bands on Sumerian records are the most ridiculously ridiculous thing in the world. i would recommend periphery or i see stars if you like this band. great band. this is the best cd i have next to animals as leaders
I absolutely despise this band, not because of their image, music and whatnot. I am irate at their lack of effort to write original music. If this band came around the late 90's early 00's, then I wouldn't mind the type of music that they're putting out. But this has been over and done with. If you want to be a metalcore band, at least put some effort in to writing something other than 00-5-0-7-8-10-8-7-5 then chugga chugga breakdown. (Before I get comments saying omg that tab isn't part of any of their songs, its just a list of notes that they use in their songs.. Over and over and over). Horribly boring and repetitive. I am disgusted at what type of bands can make it big in this generation.
I really enjoy some things about asking alexandria and i really dislike some things about them too...
Likes: I love a lot of their melodies. Their vocalist sings really well on cd and as i recently found out, live as well.
I do like breakdowns, i love melodic synth, and i love 2-steps.
I like to party lol
Dislikes: I think the lyrics could be better on some songs also. They do have some songs that have great lyrics i.e alerion, hey mr. brooks (one of my fav movies so naturally one of my fav songs)
I skip at least 5 songs on this cd when I listen to it. Either they sound to similar to another song or I just really don't like the layout or sound of the song.
I feel like their synth is very simplistic. I feel like they could have done sooo much more with different sounds and styles of synth playing.
I also think a lot of what asking alexandria does is quite generic, but frankly they are a partycore band. All party music is generic but a lot of fun to party to!
frankly, i don't like the hype they get either. they are an all around good band. not an all around GREAT band. soo much BETTER music out there. but still i like the band and i like the cd overall 6 out of 10.
Terrible terrible band. The riffs are so generic it hurts. They follow the same song structures throughout every song and this goes for all these Drop C scene bands that spew out of the music scene.
AA bring nothing new to the table. It's s shame though. So many scene x-core kids will lath onto them for their tight jeans, emo haircuts and "epic 5 minute bass drop breakdowns".
Horribly generic, after a listen through i couldn't identify a guitar riff that couldnt be classified as a breakdown
Sure he sounds like Levi from MMI, but his lyrics are what i would expect out of someone in gradeschool
theyre probably the most original hardcore band I've heard... and theyve got their shit down.
BREAKDOWNS WILL ALWAYS BE IN HARDCORE PEOPLE. THEY WILL ALWAYS BE REPETETIVE AND SIMILAR.... so just dont even comment on that.
AA are interesting in the fact that you'd think they'd be generic; but they're not. I believe it's because they have a very genuine passion for the music they make.
great album great band. i love how people are calling this a "drop C scenecore band" when if you had any musical ear you could clearly tell the album is almost completely written in d minor. definitley pick up this cd if you want a fresh metalcore listen.
I went to see an band a few weeks ago and when they were setting up thier stuff they plugged in thier computer to the PA and played some asking alexandria. instantly i knew how the bands songs would sound like.
Chug-chug, melodic chrous, synth interlude and br00tal breakdown with like 3 overlapped bass drops. ITS A FUCKING DISEASE
I'd review this, but I'm way too lazy. All I gotta say is that they have good songs, unoriginal or not, they're pretty good. BUT as I go through the CD as every song passes, the chugging/breakdowns begin to be repetitive, sure I headbang with a couple of them, but I get tired and annoyed of all the breakdowns. Another complaint I have is that they have 0 solos, nada, they only have about 1 lick in the entire album.
AA are interesting in the fact that you'd think they'd be generic; but they're not. I believe it's because they have a very genuine passion for the music they make.
Ok I hope you know how utterly false you are. If you watch any of their interviews or talk to them in person (which I have done), it is so clear they have absolutely no passion for their music. They treated it like a business, researching what country and what genre of music had the best market. And literally partying and fame/attention is their only motive. And it shows. Their music is awful. Somewhat catchy at points, but awful. Looks like their pathetic business scheme worked. congratz
to end this on a positive note i hate these "scenecore" bands myself but AA actually sound pretty damn good, ok i won't listen to them 24/7 but i do like the way they sound, it's different and compared to a lot of band they do sound damn good.
Eh...I never really got it. I mean, I got the album, very literally, because so many people said it was good.
But it wasn't. It was terrible. I listened to it 10 times, and it never sounded any better. Now that I've matured musically, I think I'll try it again. At least NOW I understand why it's terrible, and I can sneer at it while I'm fake-headbanging.
this album amazed me being it their first album they put out and how good it was. i loved their final episode and prophecy songs, possibly my favorite songs right now. the amp in my head is on repeat with asking alexandria and i can;t turn it off, an thats just how i like it!!!!
Ben Bruce screwed over his entire band in Dubai, he basically kicked everyone out, kept the name and got a bunch of other people to fill in for the people he threw out. The original members did all the leg work touring in early 2008 before the band got signed.
I hope UG interviews this band eventually and asks him about all the stuff he jacked from Hitesh and Marc. This was a band in Dubai before it ever hit England, ben bruce is a thief and a fake, & I hope everyone finds that out eventually, Ben. Hitesh and Marc deserve credit for the work you've stolen, and they aren't the only ones you took all the credit from.
This album is one of the most greatest albubs i have heard from this band! James's drumming is just so unbelieable to hear! This album has great sound all round.
