Released: Sep 1, 2009
Genre: Modern Melodic Metalcore/Groove Metal
Label: E1
Number Of Tracks: 11
Former Soil guitarist Shaun Glass got his start in death metal. He has retreated- in a good way- to his more metallic roots with Dirge Within, a Pantera-esque, mid-tempo metal band that grinds metalheads gears.
Force Fed LiesFeatured review by: UG Team, on september 01, 2009 0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: While Lamb of God are the closest thing metalheads have to a replacement for Pantera, it’s refreshing when a new band like Dirge Within pops up on the scene, with loads of mid-tempo riffs, layers of vocals that switch from screams, growls to layered harmonies and lots of balls that doesn’t try to do anything fancy other than play some face-melting metal. Featuring former Soil guitarist Shaun Glass, Dirge Within move in a much more metal direction than Glass’ former outfit. “Forever the Martyr” is easily the album’s best and most commercial accessible slab of metallic hard rock, thanks to its unexpectedly catchy chorus, delivered by Jerms, the new man on the national metal scene, so to speak. Fans of Lamb of God, Slipknot and lots of early-in-the-decade metal bands that no longer exist, and no, I don’t mean “nu metal” bands, will find Force Fed Lies to be both nostalgic and forward-moving. I’m talking bands like Nothingface, that had punch and melody. There’s some shredding, a hint of Swedish guitar melody and a real attitude that is omnipresent on a rager like album opener “Self-Medicate” or “Spit,” while the choppy, semi-deathy title track, which has a very European metal mid-section starting at two minutes in, kicks worlds of ass. Then there is the slower yet just as combustible “Confession,” which demonstrates the band’s range without coloring too far outside of the lines its drawn for itself. If it’s tons of tech’ish guitar work and chunky anthems you seek, you’ll find it on “Force Fed Lies.” // 8
Lyrics and Singing: As previously stated, Jerms will be new to metalheads outside of the Midwest, and that’s just fine. He sounds like he gargled with a potent cocktail of battery acid and whiskey before cutting his vocals to tape in the studio. He’s not far removed from LOG’s D. Randall Blythe or DevilDriver’s Dez Fafara, with his phlegm-soaked delivery. He’s not trying to be some philosophical lyricist, but he uses a lot of easy-to-remember catch phrases that factory workers, truckers and those who like to get amped up on testosterone at a metal show! Samples lyrics: “The endless aggression is my only friend” or “Self-medicate the pain / To escape this life of shame.” It’s very common speaking, but it gets the message across to those who want to hear it. And yes, that includes the ladies who like to get nasty in the pit! Jerms is a welcome addition to the metal world and his work on Force Fed Lies is impressive. He doesn’t try to test his range unnaturally and doesn’t sing too much. He spends most of his time using a guttural vocal and that increases the metal quotient on the record. // 8
Impression: While the trend in metal is deathcore and synth-plus-vocoder mosh, Dirge Within stick to a more traditional style of metal, one that doesn’t touch trends. Instead, Glass and his cohorts remember their forefathers like Pantera, with a focus on the guitar, the riffs and real instruments, instead of all the studio trickery that defines the aforementioned styles. It’s a treat when a band focuses on a singular pursuit of playing uncompromising metal instead of trying to cater to or follow trends and Dirge Within does just that. // 8
Force Fed Lies
Reviewed by:
da.benson8r, on september 02, 2009 0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: Coming straight out of Chicago (I live nothing more than 15 minutes outside of the city), Dirge Within represents a combination of the usual death metal elements (guttural vocals, wicked riffs, uber low tuned guitars, shred solos) and the presence of more melodic, Euro-inspired parts. It's not just in the studio that they tear it up - having spent the summer on the Rockstar Mayhem Festival with many other bands, and now touring with Trivium and Whitechapel, they have become a live performing force in the metal world. Having seen them live myself during the Mayhem Festival, I can justify that Dirge Within is quite an experience to see live. From the chugging power and vocalosity of "Force Fed Lies" to the foreboding melody that begins "Confession" and the stuttering tempo of "Forever the Martyr", they represent a unique niche in the metal world. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: The vocals are wickedly gritty throughout most of the album, very similar to early Corey Taylor and somewhat of Phil Labonte of All That Remains. Jerms definitely has the possibility to become a very recognizable vocalist in the metal world if he keeps up with the wicked growls. He's not just a one-trick pony either; his clean vocals during the chorus of Forever the Martyr and during Confession are very unique, with a slight feel for Corey, but not quite as much as you'd think just from the review alone. The lyrics are sung with the rage of a broken man, but the words themselves often deal with a more personal take on the issues. For example, the chorus to Forever the Martyr - "All the hate I feel, it comes from you and it's taking over. As the light gives way, I can see your face." The guest vocals from Edsel Dope and Wayne Static don't hurt, either, but the spotlight is mainly of Jerms, who takes advantage of it and comes out swinging with some brutal lyrics. // 9
Impression: In the death metal world, this is gonna turn some heads, but for those of us who already know of Dirge Within, it's just a matter of time before people start reacting to this blend of heavy and technical. For metal fans who don't like everything at 9081063498 notes per second, this will be a real refreshing album, thanks to the mid-tempo power coming from it. If you want quicker tempos without losing the sick riffs, check out "Last Goodbye", but all the strength of the guitars lies in the moderately fast songs. Also of note is the lead work of Matt Szlachta, who can easily compare in technicality to a lot of what's out there. If you want a real treat, though, check out Complacency, which features guest solos from Corey Beaulieu of Trivium, Virus of Dope, and none other than a. After hearing some awesome tracks and seeing them live, I'm looking forward to being able to drive down the road with this blasting nice and loud for everyone to hear. // 10
While Lamb of God are the closest thing metalheads have to a replacement for Pantera, its refreshing when a new band like Dirge Within pops up on the scene, with loads of mid-tempo riffs, layers of vocals that switch from screams, growls to layered harmonies and lots of balls that doesnt try to do anything fancy other than play some face-melting metal.
Lol, that sounds like half the Roadrunner roster to me.
Album isn't anything special. It's all been done before, quite often better, and there isn't anything to make it stand out from the pack.
if you think lamb of God is the closest thing to pantera we got..... you clearly havent given a perfect murder a try yet! check out strenght through vengeance and happy shredding!
I am really crazy excited for this album. I've seen them a few times, and on Sept. 19 I'm going to be playing with them, Whitechapel, Darkest Hour, and Trivium. For some reason that doesn't seem possible for me, but it's happening!
Listened to pieces of the album on AOL today, and it sounds promising to my tastes. However its probably going to get alot of hate in the UG-Metal crowd.
YES!! THEY ARE AMAZING
Saw them as the BOTB winner for the Jag stage at Mayhem in Chicago. Local guys, too.
Had the honor to meet them, great guys, great band.
metal overlord :
YES!! THEY ARE AMAZING
Saw them as the BOTB winner for the Jag stage at Mayhem in Chicago. Local guys, too.
Had the honor to meet them, great guys, great band.
i was there too, sick way to open the show. i agree, didnt play a bad song, wicked heavy riffs. awesome band, cool guys, great album. probably should have bought a shirt of theirs...
I've been seeing Dirge play since they were absolutely nothing, playing tiny little bar shows around Chicagoland. I met the band on multiple occasions and Jerms even came to see my band play at a battle of the bands. I haven't gotten a chance to buy the cd yet, but I'm looking forward to it.
I am really crazy excited for this album. I've seen them a few times, and on Sept. 19 I'm going to be playing with them, Whitechapel, Darkest Hour, and Trivium. For some reason that doesn't seem possible for me, but it's happening!
Just listened to the opening track and I want to smack this repoter...
"Instead, Glass and his cohorts remember their forefathers like Pantera, with a focus on the guitar, the riffs and real instruments, instead of all the studio trickery that defines the aforementioned styles. Its a treat when a band focuses on a singular pursuit of playing uncompromising metal instead of trying to cater to or follow trends and Dirge Within does just that"
Within the very first F'in song there's a soft weakstyle newage Killswitchy chorus... and my friends... that is NOT keeping it oldschool/real. I HATE chorus that even sound remotely happy or non-aggressive... this is METAL. If you're going to do a sappy style song... fine... cool... but do it in the vein of This Love or Suicide Note Pt. 1... don't come out swinging... charge everyone up and then pussy up in the chorus... GAWD I HATE THAT.
I am really crazy excited for this album. I've seen them a few times, and on Sept. 19 I'm going to be playing with them, Whitechapel, Darkest Hour, and Trivium. For some reason that doesn't seem possible for me, but it's happening!
That is epic good luck