Witness Review

Released: Oct 6, 2009
Genre: Post-Hardcore / Metalcore / Screamo
Label: Fearless
Number Of Tracks: 12
With their new complete lineup, blessthefall set out to create their sophomore album, entitled 'Witness'.

Sound:	9
Lyrics:	9.5
Impression:	9
Overall rating:	9.2
Users rating:	8.4
Comments:	23

overall: 9

Featured review by: Kwyjibo2006, on october 14, 2009

Sound: A lot has happened in the past two years for Arizona quintet blessthefall. With lead singer Craig Mabbitt going to Escape The Fate, switching to Fearless Records and finally acquiring ex-Take The Crown vocalist Beau Bokan. With their new complete lineup, blessthefall set out to create their sophomore album, entitled "Witness". Featuring new producer Michael "Elvis" Baskerette, the new album is amazingly produced, with crushing guitars and pouding drums behind Bokan's swooning vocals.

Never before have blessthefall been so on the top of their game, proving over the 12 tracks that they are some of the best musicians in the post-hardcore scene. Opening the album is the introductory track "2.0", a simple, one minute breakdown with the whole band shouting "We're not dead, we're not like you said", a testament to the fact that blessthefall are back, and better than ever.

Anyone who has followed the band on myspace will have heard the next three heavy hitting tracks: "What's Left of Me", "To Hell and Back" and "God Wears Gucci". Three stellar tracks, each with their moments, as Beau Bokan shines through in between bassist Jared Warth's screaming. "God Wears Gucci" particularly features some frantic tapping and heavy riffs before the epic chorus, with swooning melodies by Bokan.

Next up is the softest song on the album: "Hey Baby, Here's That Song You Wanted". Featuring some amazing guitar work by Mike Frisby and Eric Lambert, it features some of blessthefall's best performances on the album. This is soon followed by what is easily blessthefall's heaviest song to date, "Witness".

The second half of the album may not be as exciting as the first, but still makes for a good listen, with highlights such as "We'll Sleep When We're Dead", "You Deserve Nothing and I Hope You Get Less" and the closing track, "Stay Still". // 9

Lyrics and Singing: Beau Bokan takes over lead vocal duties on "Witness" and his voice fits with the band perfectly. In some places, first time listeners will have trouble setting him apart from his predecessor. Beau Bokan's swooning vocals sound enough like Craig's for it not to be a complete shock to blessthefall fans, though Beau's vocals sound much more mature. Bassist Jared Wrath's screaming has matured immensely over the last two years, and producer Mike Baskerette's production lets their tag team vocals shine on each of the twelve tracks.

As for the lyrics themselves, there isn't any change since "This Last Walk" back in 2007. After the band's one-line assault of "We're not dead, we're not like you said" in "2.0", some of the bes lyrics on the album come from "What's Left of Me", with Beau Bokan almost begging while he sings "Blood is dripping from my hands
Tell me, Is this what you wanted?
". Although everyone will have certain lyrics that touch them personally (and hey, to me, that's what makes great lyrics), standout tracks include "God Wears Gucci", a song about using religion to gain money, the title track, and the closing track "Stay Still". // 9

Impression: While some may have doubted what would happen to blessthefall after the departure of Craig Mabbitt, "Witness" lays all worrying hearts to rest. It proves that the band can take just about anything life throws at them and rise above it. Sure not to disappoint, "Witness" shows blessthefall 2.0 are here, and they're here to stay. // 9

overall: 9.3

Reviewed by: synysterv, on november 06, 2009

Sound: Blessthefall have definitely stepped it up on "Witness". They're much much heavier on this album than on "His Last Walk". And the new singer Beau Bokan (formerly from Take The Crown) is a more than welcome replacement in the band. When Blessthefall and Craig Mabbit parted ways, it seemed as though it was the end of an amazing band with amazing potential. However, as if in direct response to these doubts, the album opener 2.0, a minute-long breakdown, boasts the lyrics "We're not dead, we're not like you said". With all the fuss and commotion over the new singer, how he will fit in with the band and how he'll do on the new record, it is very easy to overlook the progression of the rest of the band as musicians. The instrumentation on "Witness" has improved quite a bit from that on "His Last Walk", with many more riffs, even some tapping riffs, as well as a healthy supply of breakdowns, as well as more prominent drum work, with a few songs opening with just drums. My only criticism is that some of the chord progressions are similar if not the same in a few songs.

A track by track rundown:

1. 2.0: a simple, yet powerful opening track, with the band shouting "We're not dead, we're not like you said". Good stuff. 9/10

2. What's Left Of Me: a good example of what this album is all about, powerful screams, infectious vocal melodies and an epic breakdown. 9/10

3. To Hell And Back: a demo of this song was released sometime in late 2008 to give the fans a taste of the new singer. The newly recorded album version has a more crisp production and sounds heavier. A finger tapping riff that stays in your head and a bridge that pumps you up. A definite highlight on the album. 10/10

4. God Wears Gucci: song about people who make money of the name of God. A well sung song, which ends in a phone call from Beau's ex-girlfriend. 8/10

5. Hey Baby, Here's That Song You Wanted: probably one of the best, if not the best on the album. The new singer Beau really shines on this album and showcases his singing ability as this is one of two songs not to feature screaming. A softer song, though with an epic, power-chord driven bridge. 10/10

6. Witness: the heaviest Blessthefall song, directed to those who doubted them. However, the opening chord has been used at least twice before on the album, though it takes nothing away from the song. 8/10

7. Last One's Left: a shorter song, with a very good breakdown. Doesn't really need anything else. 8/10

8. Five Ninety: this song was written to the singer's sister who is fighting alcoholism telling her that he is there for her. Powerful, song with nice vocal delivery, especially the breakdown. 10/10

9. We'll Sleep When We're Dead: another song that had its demo released well before the album. A drum opening accompanied with a tapping riff that fades in and a powerful outro. 9/10

10. Skinwalkers: you'd think by the tenth track, there would be at least one weak one, but this is the song we're the guitarists shine, bringing out some crunching, shredding riffs. An atmospheric guitar solo after the bridge complimented by some strong vocal work. 10/10

11. You Deserve Nothing And I Hope You Get Less: another song displaying prominent guitar riffs. One to get the mosh pit moving. With a softer bridge. 9/10

12. Stay Still: the other song on the album not to feature screaming. Not that it needs it or anything. A soft opening, leading into an anthem-like chorus. Only flaw is that the second half of the song could've been a little better. A nice distorted outro. 9/10 // 9

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics throughout the "Witness" are consistently of high quality, which would further cement the acceptance of the new singer. The lyrics range from people who make money of the name of God in "God Wears Gucci" to bands that make music for the wrong reasons in "You Deserve Nothing And I Hope You Get Less" to the title track which is written to the people who doubted them and telling them to "Witness" their recovery and current awesomeness. I guess the only flaw in the new singer is the fact that he isnt a dignified screamer as he was formerly in Take The Crown. Though he does do a decent job of it live, I'm not sure how much if any he does on the actual record. Because of this, bassist Jared Warth takes up the majority of screaming duties and does an incredible job of it. With a solid range of highs and lows in perfect cohesion with Beau Bokan's vocals. Overall a very solid effort in the vocal/lyric department. // 10

Impression: For anxious Blessthefall fans eager to see if one of their favorite bands are still going strong, this album will more than satisfy. It can be argued that Blessthefall are actually better off with new singer Beau Bokan. The standout tracks on the album are To Hell And Back, Hey Baby Here's That Song You Wanted, Witness, Five Ninety, Skinwalkers and Stay Still....and the rest of the album. I personally love the new Blessthefall and the new album. If someone stole it, I would definitely buy a new one, then find the person who stole it, get my old copy back and then make them buy me another...then punch them in the face. // 9

Comments

[imsimon]

Craig Mabbitt sucks anyway, new Escape the Fate blows, new Blessthefall is better than Craig's Blessthefall, and The Word Alive are 300% better with Telle instead of Craig.

In regards to the review, I now hate the word swooning, especially in reference to vocals! :P
Amazing album though, one of my favourites from this year!

[XtractionProces]

I wouldn't say Craig sucks at all. From the beginning people have been saying "He has so much potential". He does. So far, though, he hasn't been able to reach that potential. I'm hoping for that on the next ETF album.

Back to blessthefall though, I really want this. I heard To Hell and Back and God Wears Gucci and couldn't stop listening to them. If Witness is as heavy as said here, then I can't ****ing wait.

[Pr0teZT]

Great great great great great great great GREAT album!
Simply the best in the genre out there.

[RyuKun]

Such an amazing album! I agree that Beau is way better than Craig. BTF will always be my most favorite band and biggest influence. Their album with Craig is called "His Last Walk", by the way...

[Brainfart]

Craigs leaving the band may have been a bit sad and he may have also lost some of his hard-core musical touch since he joined Escape the Fate, but in a way BlesstheFall sort of cme up with a new heavier drive. If Witness is really an amzing album as His last Walk was, then all i got to say ETF has to watch their back, cuz This war is Ours really didn't sound as heavy as intended. Hopefully The ETF album will also be good, but still i've always imagined BTF like one of the first Heavy christian bands after Underoath.
Beau was a good add to BTF.

[Lt_Grimm]

A decent album for sure. I have to say the riffs are pretty heavy and the guitar is pretty slick. The vocals are great too, singing and screaming. I can't say I miss Craig very much (I always found his voice too high, and think Escape The Fate has become a thousands time more pop).

[NemX162]

I think Craig is better in Escape the Fate, made that band better. Now this band with Beau is way wayyy better than it used to be. The vocalists fit into those bands better than the originals.

Love this album!

[Kwyjibo2006]

dancesisidance wrote:

In regards to the review, I now hate the word swooning, especially in reference to vocals! :P
Amazing album though, one of my favourites from this year!

Lmao yeah sorry, I wrote this review really late monday night and couldn't really think of a good word for describing his voice. I don't like the word either, and I used it like three times :P

Hope you enjoyed the review though.

[imsimon]

Yeah it's a sweet review!

[Faux~Affliction]

I think it's a good album, but Blessthefall still aren't doing anything groundbreaking with their music. They're very good at being decent, shall I say. I also find that when bands take years to pump out a new album, the album is FANTASTIC, I was expecting a bit more in this case though.
Maybe I just need to give it a few more listens.

[xDeathxMetalx]

the fact that you put screamo just shows your lack of knowledge sir haha jp its an honest mistake.
either way, i didnt like the first album from these guys very much but i will admit that they have talent and i will check this out for hope of a better sound.

[xDeathxMetalx]

and Escape The Fate fails completely in my opinion.

[mr_snuggle]

and Escape The Fate fails completely in my opinion.

I have high hopes for this CD.
I heard some of it already, and GODDAMN.

[ionXdissonance]

i honestly try and give band like this a chance but I just cant find the originality in it. the devil wears prada, blessthefall, drop dead gorgeous, its all the same. as an avid music listener and connoisseur (can you be a connoisseur of music hahaha) i try and give all bands and albums a chance and i just cant do it with this whole "myspace-core" genre...every album by the devil wears prada sounds the same to me. again this is just my opinion but is anyone else on the same page as i, or am i just a complete *******? hahaha i hope thats not the case

[Lohnanmilitia]

This band is SO much better with their new vocalist, it especially shows live. I was shocked it was the same band when i saw them a little ways back.

[Jon777]

ionXdissonance wrote:

i honestly try and give band like this a chance but I just cant find the originality in it. the devil wears prada, blessthefall, drop dead gorgeous, its all the same. as an avid music listener and connoisseur (can you be a connoisseur of music hahaha) i try and give all bands and albums a chance and i just cant do it with this whole "myspace-core" genre...every album by the devil wears prada sounds the same to me. again this is just my opinion but is anyone else on the same page as i, or am i just a complete *****? hahaha i hope thats not the case

Really, dude? I mean... I'm not that big of a TDWF fan, but I noticed some huge differences between Plagues and the newest album.

Anyway, Witness is a fantastic album. 'Nuff said.

[pyritmann]

this albums okay, not a 9 thats for sure but it was decent. the new guy sounds a lot like craig and i think the screamed vocals on this album are better than craig ever did. and escape the fates new album was just awful. poor use of craigs talents

[larrytheguitar]

Escape the Fates new album better be good. Craig's screams are going to waste.

[myeyeswideshut]

i think this album sucks. Bokan ruined this band. Craig was 10 times better. and the lyrics are nowhere close to the ones in His Last Walk. Bokan swears in alot of the songs and to me they just don't seem as sincere. and why would you go from being a christian band to this crap? with Craig, blessthefall was the right balance between christian and non-christian. Bokan has an okay voice to match the band and i have to say i like the song We'll Sleep When We're Dead, but he can't even fricken scream. Warth has to scream for him. blessthefall was way better in His Last Walk.

[screamo_core]

i liked His last walk more but the new album it's ok for me... i don't even think witness is the heaviest haha i think its skinwalkers... i love that song it's to awsome

[guitard00d13]

honestly, i couldnt ever get into btf before, but after listening to their new album, i really like it. personally, Beau is way nicer... Craig was too whiny. just MY personall opinion, no need to freak out lol.

[kgranlund]

I like both albums equally, but I will say my favorite song is on the new one which is What's Left of Me... I love the lyrics to it. It has a nice shredding part. Bokan is a great singer and is a nice addition to the band. I personally like Craig better in Escape the Fate so it all works perfectly.

[myeyeswideshut]

whatever. craig is great in both bands.