Released: Aug 23, 2011
Genre: Heavy/Power Metal
Label: Interscope
Number Of Tracks: 10
Overall this album is a huge dissapointment mainly because I know this band is capable of much better. This album portrays Black Tide as a "wannabe" metal band or a band that just doesn't have it together enough to be in metal.
Post Mortem
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on january 26, 2012 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: Now I am perfectly aware that there is a HUGE sound change from "Light From Above". Everyone comes so quickly to criticize the change, but think about it this way... If Black Tide released a "Post Mortem" type album first, then came out with a "Light From Above" type, they would get just as much hate.
This album has a really precise sound. The guitar riffs are very controlled, with great add-on riffs. Gabriel Garcia has proved himself yet again to be a brilliantly-talented guitarist, NO ONE can argue that. The drums from who I like to call "Tarzan" - if you look at him you'll see it - are hard hitting and bring each song together very well. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: Most people say "His lyrics are so cheesy and basic" in "Post Mortem", yet I find them to be very passionate. You can tell that Garcia means every word he said, as he sings with his drive in his heart. The songs "Let It Out", "Lost In The Sound", "Into The Sky" and "Give Hope" (bonus track) all show Gabriel's emotions. He encourages standing up for one's self ("Let It Out"), puts emphasis on helping the poor ("Lost In The Sound" & "Give Hope"), and drains his melancholy to a lost love one ("Into The Sky"). These tracks are my favorite because of the sound and their message. I even used lyrics from "Lost In The Sound" on a college essay about service. It was the best of all of my essays. // 8
Impression: I will admit that some songs are based for radio play and lack originality: "Fight Til The Bitter End" & "That Fire", but overall, Black Tide shows their true talent and passion. I do miss some the heavy metal shredding in "Light From Above", and none of the songs have the guitar precision of "Warriors Of Time", but I enjoy this new direction.
There is nothing wrong with sounding like Bullet For My Valentine, because they are a great band. The sound change can connect to their frequent touring with them. Gabriel Garcia is definitely one of the most promising frontmen for the future of rock and roll. Only greats can play LEAD guitar and be the lead singer this well. GREAT album. // 8
Post Mortem
Reviewed by:
Battman1993, on september 20, 2011 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: Ok first off: metal elitists take note. This is NOT a metalcore album. Metalcore has screaming in it, and Post-Mortem doesn't fit that bill except for the song Walking Dead Man, where it nicely compliments the angry lyrics. Really, this isn't really a metal album at all. Gabriel (the singer) has said in interviews that besides his voice changing being a factor in the sound of Post-Mortem, his musical influences have also changed. Now instead of just Metallica et al, he also listens to Incubus and The Beatles. While there is nothing that sounds like either of those bands, it is obvious this band wanted to become a melodic metal/hard rock band. Now it this album perfect? Absolutely not. But it isn't as bad as other people have led you to believe. There's still some catchy riffage, and I like Gabe's new voice. I'm not a huge fan of Ashes, it doesn't do it for me. But the next song, Bury Me, is one of my favorites. I love the riff, and the catchy chorus. Skip over Let It Out, it's kinda bland. That gets us to track #4, Honest Eyes. It's probably the only song that sounds like anything like Light From Above. The only tracks I really love after that are That Fire, Fight Til The Bitter End, and Walking Dead Man. BUT, Post-Mortem as a whole isn't utter shit. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: Yeah, I'll admit it. Gabe's lyrics on this album suck on a few songs. The main ones I'm pointing to are Bury Me & That Fire. His lyrics overall are clinched, but that is pretty consistent with BT's new sound. The lyrics on Honest Eyes are pretty eh, but the chorus saves the song. I like the lyrics to Walking Dead Man. They embody what I'd like to tell some people in my life. As far as Gabriel's new "voice", I like it. It is a bit whiny, but he can still pull the gritty voxs (Walking Dead Man is evidence of that). There is one note he hits in Bury Me right before the breakdown/bridge that sounds eerily like Sebastian Bach. So, lyrics thumbs down, voxs thumbs partly up. // 7
Impression: Yes, people will be quick to judge. They'll say that Post-Mortem isn't good enough to be a metal album. What they're missing is, this really ISN'T a metal album! It's a very heavy hard rock album. Black Tide can still play their instruments and write good riffs. They're just playing differently. The vocal department got better and worse. The voice is better, but the lyrics are worse. However, I don't listen to Black Tide for the lyrics. I listen to them for the sweet guitar riffs and solos! Post-Mortem is a sophomore slump for Black Tide. But it isn't as bad as people think. I like it, but I know that bands go through growing pains and bad periods. I would like to see their next record be more developed in this sound, and the lyrics to improve. I'd replace it if it were stolen/lost. // 7
Post Mortem
Reviewed by:
Tenaciøus-A, on august 29, 2011 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: Black Tide make a controversial return with their sophomore effort, after a dramatic change in sound following their debut. They've gone from all-out thrash metal to.. Well, it's hard to tell really. They seem like Bullet For My Valentine Jr. and in my opinion, they've pretty much failed to top their debut.
Lest not forget, though, the album in itself as a standalone (Forgetting Light from Above) isn't awful. Some tracks seem like filler and are pretty forgettable, but to make up for that there are some great ones. The bass can barely be heard, however, and the way the drums sound can be considered annoying.
So, here's my track-by-track:
01) Ashes - This opener is probably the best song on the album. Fairly good lyrics, great vocals (Especially the vocals, both clean and screamed, contributed from Matt Tuck of BFMV himself) and a solo reminiscent of their debut. Spectacular ending, too.
02) Bury Me - The first single that i'm sure most of you have heard by now. At this point the album starts failing to deliver. Not much can be said about this song, as it's a pretty bland track in comparison to Ashes.
03) Let It Out - The first of the 'fillers' I mentioned earlier - The only part of this five-minute song that attracts interest is the guitar solo, again a reminder of their first record.
04) Honest Eyes - A track that seems fairly distorted and in some ways, feels overproduced. On this song there's just too much going on at once. The lyrics on this song, as expected in the majority of Black Tide's music, are fairly childish too.
05) That Fire - One of the few songs that shows off Black Tide's ability as musicians. Despite the total failure on lyrics, the track boasts fairly good vocals, A short yet blistering solo and an interesting intro complete this piece.
06) Fight 'Til The Bitter End - More filler. This is pretty much a pop track, complete with terrible lyrics - For some strange reason the last part of the chorus reminds me of Britney Spears. The track just doesn't show their development as musicians.
07) Take It Easy - And another filler track... From the first listen I disliked this track. The only area of slight interest is the sudden change in pace as the song's bridge opens.
08) Lost In The Sound - A song with positive lyrics (Fairly good ones, too) relating to 'bringing faith' to the poor and hungry. The 'good cause' does not change the track however - The track again seems like filler, dull and uninteresting as per usual with this album.
09) Walking Dead Man - Possibly the heaviest track on the record. Far from the worst, but not the best. From the moment the first solo ends (Before the first line of clean vocals has even begun) the song seems fairly dull, but does contain a similar atmosphere to that of a Trivium song.
10) Into The Sky - Worst song on the album - The lyrics are caring yet weak, and the vocals are fairly whiny. This song would have a lot more potential as a standalone track had it contained a decent guitar solo (Although the first half of the song is acoustic) but it's lack of it, ruins the song for me. // 7
Lyrics and Singing: In a nutshell, the lyrics are horrible and repetitive - But above all, childish. Take, per say, the first lines of "Walking Dead Man" as an example, it just proves my point further:
"You have nothing
You have nothing
You have no heart
No mind of your own"
With the exception of Ashes, the band have failed to deliver, lyrically. And to make things worse, Gabriel Garcia's vocals are horrid for the most part - There are some good moments but overall his singing has been almost completely ruined by puberty. // 2
Impression: Overall, the album has some good and bad points, and reminds you of bands like Bullet For My Valentine and Trivium. It's no Light From Above, but it's a nice try at a different area of metal nonetheless. Black Tide fans (At least, those who do not mind the change in sound, considering the majority of their fanbase have resented the 'new' Black Tide) hoping to find an album overflowing with amazing guitar solos reminiscent of their debut will be disappointed - There are only a couple of truly inspiring 'guitar hero' moments throughout the entire album. // 5
Post Mortem
Reviewed by:
howdyhat, on august 29, 2011 1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Sound: Sound is very sharp, crisp, and pleasing to the ear. Vocals are on the high end, but ON THE ALBUM they are executed to near perfection. Genre? Maybe: metal/hard rock/punk-metal/alternative. Thing is, there is no genre for that album. The theme of the album is apparent, and I'll leave it at that. I don't touch that subject, I just comment on the music, which is great; haven't taken it out of the stereo in my truck, or switched albums on my I-pod yet... Now more on the sound:
The drumming in this album is impressive. The beats are very fast but change and skip frequently to create a memorable sound for each song. The heavy songs are good because the guitar is heavy/dark/metal sounding and the lead guitar lines are also difficult. They have a melody of their own, and fill the space without vocals well. Screams occur in a few tracks but are minor, which is nice. The softer songs are good because they have VERY good melodies and NO screams. If I had to describe their style using other bands, I would say they sound like: Iron Maiden, Breaking Benjamin, Avenged Sevenfold, Metallica, Crossfade, The Mars Volta, and Strung Out. If you like ANY of these bands, listen to this album. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: The theme of the album is apparent and was fairly well conceived. Every song is good and has catchy melodies, and most lyrics are learnable by repetitious listening. The vocals seem to fit the energy in the songs well, and the singer has skills because they are on key. // 10
Impression: Everyone liked their first album; it made them legends... This one is different. It's a little softer and more melodic. That's why some people don't appreciate it. I think true musicians appreciate anything that is pleasing to the ear and takes musical skill/talent, don't you? If you didn't say yes, you are either insecure or narrow minded. But don't worry, everyone goes through that phase in junior high... So give yourself a pat on the back for not being one of THOSE people and listen to the album! Just listen to it for free on youtube and see if you like it.
Musically, the album is very sophisticated, and is pleasing to the ear; in fact, it grows on you. The lyrics are sung in such catchy melodies and these guys are extremely good musicians/vocalists. The album as a whole is solid. There isn't one song that stands out more than the others in my mind because they are all good and it flows nicely from song to song. Bottom line, I don't see how you could give this album anything but a 10. That's what I gave it. // 10
Post Mortem
Reviewed by:
Mistermetee, on august 23, 2011 1 of 3 people found this review helpful
Sound: Three years ago (2008) when I first heard Black Tide's ferocious debut album "Light From Above" I instantly fell in love with their fast and polished speed metal sound. Their combination of Bullet For My Valentine type choruses mixed with early Slayer and Metallica type instrumentals created a sound that was both familiar and refreshing. After a long three years of anticipation Black Tide has released their sophomore effort, "Post Mortem". Unfortuanately my ears were filled with dissapointment throughout the majority of the album.
In the three years separating the two releases Black Tide have managed to almost completely ruin their sound in an attempt to sound more mature as a whole. This modification forced the aspiring metal superstars to now sound like thirty year old rock & roller's who are a good 10 years past their prime. Any elements of "classic metal" are nowhere to be found on "Post Mortem" and instead were replaced by what sounds like a combination of irritating Bullet For My Valentine ripoff verses, wimpy Three Days Grace/Seether choruses, and dull instrumentals that sound like they were written 15 minutes before they were recorded. The album starts off promisingly with the furious and energetic track "Ashes, which sounds just like early Bullet For My Valentine (and coincidently features BFMV vocalist Matt Tuck).
Then the album takes a turn for the worse when the next two tracks "Bury Me" and "Let It Out" are extremely forgettable, boring, and cliché, a reacurring problem throughout "Post Mortem". The album goes back to "heavy" with the hit single "Honest Eyes" but quickly changes back to it's irritating cliché radio-friendly style immediately afterwards. The whole middle section of the album is forgettable and lame mainly consisting of "hard rockish" instrumentals that occasionely produce something that makes you want to get out of your chair, but are mainly backgrounded behind the whiny unoriginal singing throughout each song. As the album comes to a close with "Walking Dead Man" and "Into The Sky" I realize how truly dissapointing the entire album was. // 4
Lyrics and Singing: I'm not going to go into very much detail about the lyrics present in "Post Mortem". However I am going to say that Black Tide's lyrics have never been what they're known for. The lyrics on "Light From Above" are mainly fantasy-based and for the most part are fun and even somewhat silly, just like most speed metal albums. However on "Post Mortem" the lyrics are more serious and obviously had more time and thought put into them. That being said I still do not like the lyrics on "Post Mortem". The cliché themes about death, girls, and the afterlife are tiresome and overdone. Another one of the major turnoffs of the album is that the cover of "Post Mortem" is a cartoon picture of a person who has hung themselves. The cover suggests that the album is going to be humoresly dark and fun but not totally serious. However that contradicts the "serious" lyrics that are present throughout every single song. // 4
Impression: Overall this album is a huge dissapointment mainly because I know this band is capable of much better. Not every band out there has the potential to be a metal band but I strongly believe that these guys do. This album portrays Black Tide as a "wannabe" metal band or a band that just doesn't have it together enough to be in metal. The spectacular shredding and overall audacity that was apparent on "Light From Above" is nowhere to be found on "Post Mortem". I know they still have it in them because it shows for a few seconds in the short lived solos throughout the album and in the energy present in the tracks "Ashes", "Honest Eyes", and "Walking Dead Man". I still have hope that Black Tide can pull it together and be one of the biggest names in metal throughout the 21st century.
For true fans like myself, overlook "Post Mortem" and wait for their next release a couple years down the road. Be sure to catch them live on the Uproar tour this fall! // 4
Totally agree. Was looking forward to seeing them at Sonisphere so much but when they played they did all songs off their new album except one. Massive dissapointment
Just awful. As soon as all the popular metalcore artists break album number 3, they lose whatever sense of purpose they had, now they all sound like this, apart from Trivium.
Just awful. As soon as all the popular metalcore artists break album number 3, they lose whatever sense of purpose they had, now they all sound like this, apart from Trivium.
and apart from Unearth. you CANNOT forget the amazing beautiful awesomeness that is Unearth
Just awful. As soon as all the popular metalcore artists break album number 3, they lose whatever sense of purpose they had, now they all sound like this, apart from Trivium.
and apart from Unearth. you CANNOT forget the amazing beautiful awesomeness that is Unearth
Meh, I guess. Not too big on the melodies but they're skilled enough to make their stuff listenable.
Well my brother has been super into their debut the last few weeks - doesn't like screamed vox much but loves solos and decent singing - so this is disappointing for me. Only heard the first few songs, will probably not be picking it up after the reviews I've read. Decent review, btw
I saw them when they opened for Maiden. Very boring material. The people near me in the audience said they were almost booed off the stage at the show the night before. After hearing them, I understood why.
I agree. when I heard their new songs it sounds like shitty Escape TF. and other whinny bullshit metalcore songs or what ever you call it. I liked their first album but since they got rid of their lead singer/guitarist they forgot what music is about. sad and tragic.
I agree. when I heard their new songs it sounds like shitty Escape TF. and other whinny bullshit metalcore songs or what ever you call it. I liked their first album but since they got rid of their lead singer/guitarist they forgot what music is about. sad and tragic.
I understand what everybody is saying. I don't agree but I understand where your closeminded-ness is being spawned. I give this album an unbiased listen since I know the guys. I personally think it's great. I mean I know everybody wanted LFA but really? How would you expect them to put out similar material after all of the changes they've been through? I mean despite all of the obvious changes theyve had (Gabes voice change and age difference,new guitarist..etc) look who theyve toured with over the past 3 years. The have EXTENSIVELY toured with BFMV and ETF. It wouldve been very strange if it didnt have an impact on their sound. I know what i say is going to be booed mainly because people LOVE negativity, especially when it comes to music reviews. i just wish my opinion is accepted as much as all of the people who have horrible things to say. respect Black Tide and respect their music. Even if you dont like the changes respect them for still being a touring and working band.
I understand what everybody is saying. I don't agree but I understand where your closeminded-ness is being spawned. I give this album an unbiased listen since I know the guys. I personally think it's great. I mean I know everybody wanted LFA but really? How would you expect them to put out similar material after all of the changes they've been through? I mean despite all of the obvious changes theyve had (Gabes voice change and age difference,new guitarist..etc) look who theyve toured with over the past 3 years. The have EXTENSIVELY toured with BFMV and ETF. It wouldve been very strange if it didnt have an impact on their sound. I know what i say is going to be booed mainly because people LOVE negativity, especially when it comes to music reviews. i just wish my opinion is accepted as much as all of the people who have horrible things to say. respect Black Tide and respect their music. Even if you dont like the changes respect them for still being a touring and working band.
No, look, Mr Bumpain, you can try and convince YOURSELF that you like it, but obviously you're barking to the wrong crowd. This is as basic and as typical as whatever passes for 'popular metal' this year (whatever it'll be next year will probably have even less substance).
Their touring with more hardcore bands really seems to have had a negative impact on their sound. Totally agreed, Light from Above had an amazingly original sound - who had written anything remotely like "Warriors of Time" in the past 20 years? Then it seems their success bit them in the ass in the worst possible way - it seems more like a "Who should we copy today?" kind of perspective from them than "Let's write songs for the music." On top of that, Gabe's new look is atrocious to me, just saying. If this is what they want, then so be it, and it's good that there are people who enjoy their music, indeed. However, I'm not one of them this time around.
wow, you guys sound like *******s right now. at least their getting money off their music and playing what they wanna. that's what being in a band is supposed to be, playing what you wanna, not what you're expected to play. oh and i love the new cd :troll:
I loved Light From Above, it was a raging collection of heavy metal with a varying range of stylistic musicality--from Warriors of Time to Black Abyss to Live Fast Die Young. Their newer stuff is pretty bland and indistinguishable from any other metalcore band.
90% of people hating the album do so because they are metal elitists who can't stand anything "popular" sounding.
That being said, this album was not as strong as their last, but not awful either.
Where did you get this 90% figure? How do you know that they're metal elitists? And how wrong are they really when you're pretty much agreeing with them?
Seems ignorant, imo.
Anyway, I liked Light From Above. Warriors of Time was one of those songs that I couldn't stop listening to. Sad to see that some of their fans aren't finding any joy in this album. I'll go check this out ASAP.
90% of people hating the album do so because they are metal elitists who can't stand anything "popular" sounding.
That being said, this album was not as strong as their last, but not awful either.
Or people who love pop music and can't stand anything that pretends to be alternative while pandering to a certain demographic for marketing purposes.
That being said, it's hilarious seeing this album featured in a huge ad on the home page and then seeing this review of it.
This album sucks. I've tried listening to the whole thing at least twice. I am VERY disappointed that they opted out to trying to be like BFMV or a lesser Trivium. I suspect the record company they're signed to had something to do with this, they even look different in their videos. I'm not some snob metal elitist, I actually quite like alot of mainstream or popular metal, like Trivium. But I was really shocked when I saw their new video and saw how they've changed their look and their sound... Downtuned guitars? They sound like a BFMV knock off, which shouldn't be surprising considering Matt Tuck guests on a track on this new album...
I remember these guys. Light From Above was an awesome album, and even still in their teens they looked pretty badass and capable of being metal's next big thing. But dude, this is depressing.
You read my mind, i've knew black tide from 2007 and it became the most promising band i've ever heard of. Now that i'm 16 y.o. i still listen to light from above and think of all the things black tide could've done. Thanks for your review it was awesome
I agree that they aren't as good as they were. But they have changed and grown. seen and done things that have changed them. I'm not a great fan of the new cd but i am quite into a few of the songs. prefer LFA but i'm not gonna hate on this cause it's different. They both have different reasons to love them and hate them
Since they seem to be jumping on the bandwagons lets hope the next album has some Djent in it. Anyway, regardless of how generic their new sound is, it's a testament to their talent that they could so easily churn an album out on par with anything Escape The Fate released, even at their young age.
Well said Gerbaschlonk^^
I for me got to know the band because Honest eyes was used in the SFxT-Trailers and long time I didn't get attached that much from a song in this genre^^ Heard Light from above after Honest eyes und Bury me and in the end we can say I'm not that metal-elitist and prefer good metalcore, although I love their old songs Light from above, Give me a chance, Shout or Black widow. But like Gerb. said, they could so easily change their sound and are still sounding great, although I personally think the lyrics could or have to be better x_X
But I like the huge flow of the catchy 'Take it easy' or the Opener Ashes where I surprisingly like the lyrics (but cannot decide where Matt and where Gabe is singing)^^ and my favourite song still is Honest eyes, also from the new CD. Only thing I would criticize a bit is the pop-influence here and there, for example I don't like 'Into the sky'
@howdyhat
your saying that this album sounds like something metallica, maiden, and mars volta would make? you've got to be ****ing kidding me. its a crappy stupid album and you have no idea what you're talking about. go freshen up on your music knowledge and then you can write a review.
dudes don't say it sucks cuz u dont like it. i'm sure plenty of people will say the stuff u listen to sucks cuz they dont like it. I liked this album but never really gave their first one a good listen to but just cuz they've gone "softer" doesnt make it bad, just different
God, why is everyone ripping on this band? Think about if they DID re-create LFA. It would've sucked ass, Gabe recorded the album in 8th grade, and when they debuted it and toured, it sounded really bad because his vocie had matured. I personally think this is a great album. Maybe somewhat generic, but it has killer riffs, solos, and vocals. Very intricate, detailed, and a good point to move forward from! LFA was an amazing album, and so is this one, just a somewhat different style!!
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sorry guyz
