Release Date: Aug 7, 2007
Label: Roadrunner
Genres: Punk Metal
Number Of Tracks: 11
This is especially evident throughout their third release overall, 2007's The Serpent, as the vocals alternate between sung and shouted, as well as the rubbery riffs that are equal parts nu metal and thrash.
The Serpent
Reviewed by:
deadhand329, on august 11, 2007 3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Sound: Masterful. All around. The guitar work on this album is brilliant. After touring with metal acts such as Bullet For My Valentine and Trivium, vestiges of their sound can be heard in Still Remains' new album. Definite growth can be heard in their playing since "of Love And Lunacy", their debut. The music compliments the anger of the lyrics and helps create the albums overall mood very well. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are poetic at times and very straight forward at others. Vocalist T.J. Miller says he has opened up with writting on the new album and that he is no longer afraid to write about things he had once only alluded to. The singing is first rate. The screaming is the wild card. While many screaming bands have a screamer you either love or hate (which is often either hinders or helps the band), Still Remains has screaming that is inbetween. there are times when it works and times when it doesn't. Still, the vocalists are skillful and powerful. // 9
Impression: The album overall is great. Like Bullet For My Valentine? Trivium? Pick up the new Still Remains album. It's worth the investment. Listening to songs such as "The Wax Walls Of An Empty Room", I found myself compelled to search the UG archives for the tabs, which unfortunately do not exist. If you're a guitar enthusiast, it's a great album with fantastic riffs, so buy it and tab it so I can learn to play it. // 9
The Serpent
Reviewed by:
olheiser01, on november 07, 2007 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: Hearing Of Love and Lunacy I really thought this band was something different and had a unigue twist on their metal but I thought they needed some more comfort to make that music with some more melodic tones and some more advanced guitar such as the solos. And that's what they did with the Serpent. They put more meldoic tones with shredding guitar and solos. This album is heavier and at the same more melodic and better flowing than the last. When I first heard Sleepless Nights Alone I felt overwhelmed. It was just so perfect. I couldnt have asked for a more powerful keyboard/piano slow metal song. Well then I thought are they gonna be all mainstream like or sell out alt rock stuff but I heard Anemia in Your Sheets and The Wax Walls of an Empty Room and I still felt like I wanted to mosh and I could still hear a bit of similiarities between Of Love and Lunacy and The Serpent. The sound of this album is amazing. The songs show more than just an approach of heavy and screamo. It has that but plus more. Their guitar has a unique sound, the keyboards fit so well, better than most bandsive heard. They have definitley put out an amazing souning album with some diversity and have really defined the Still Remains sound and not just another old hardcore metal band. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: I loved their lyrics from the first album. So I expected about the same but I heard even more. Their both metaphoric and straight forward with such great meaning. I think album and song names really tell a lot about a band an how serious they are with their lyrics and passion in the music. Hearing and reading their lyrics, I really felt that. The lyrics all have a point and all make senses in certain points of view which is just is another great thing about this album. // 10
Impression: The overall impression was amazing. I heard one song and immeiatley new I was buying that CD. There was a concert: Aiden, Drop Dead Gorgeous and Still Remains. I got into Aiden and DDG before Still Remains an liked them more than Still Remains but when I heard their new CD over Aiden's and DDG's I was going to that concert not for Aiden or DDG but Still Remains. In concert I was satisfied with them as well playing their new songs. I ended up leaving that concert with a new Still Remains shirt. Simply meaning these guys are great all around and this album really shows it for me. If you want to know a song or two to help you to decide if you want the album, I'd listen to Sleepless Nights Alone and Wax walls of an empty room or Anemia In Your Sheets. Those songs show the range of music In their new album. Comparing to the ol album this one was obviously more impressive and I encourage people to check it out and I guess the people who are so badass and hardcore and only listen to heavy riffs and non stop screaming, don't listen to it, so you can stop hating on music like this. // 10
The Serpent
Reviewed by:
Simon Acreman, on october 22, 2007 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: After their debut album 'Of Love and Lunacy', I thought that Still Remains couldn't get better. In fact, I was wrong. As well as the sound quality, they have ironed out the few problems they had in their previous album. The keyboards take a more prominant role in their sound, giving their sound more distinctive qualities than before. Not many bands can mix sythesisers and gritty guitar riffs well, as bands like Enter Shikari have shown, but Still Remains have perfected what had seemed impossible before. My only problem with this album after the original is that it now sounds perhaps somewhat over-produced. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics in this album are very personal and down to earth, breaking away from the image that metal music has to have brutal inhumane lyrics. This is certainly a listener's album. I find that the toned down lyrics fit the feel of their songs well, although it's a shame that the aggressive screaming of the previous album seems depleted in this ablum, but the lyrics that are being sung do not really warrant that type of vocal sound. The screaming that is there has improved on the empty sound of the previous album and is more dominant where it was drowned by the guitars. // 8
Impression: Still Remains have proved themselves worthy of the metalcore sector of the musical world. They have hard-hitting sounds, very distinct and catchy keyboard melodies that add a new aspect of metal that has rarely been seen before. They are certainly contenders to even veterans in this feild of music like Killswitch Engage. This is definately an album worth having in the collection. // 9
The Serpent
Reviewed by:
Kieran_141, on august 13, 2007 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: This is the sound of Still Remains hitting their stride. While their 2005 debut album 'Of Love and Lunacy' was a great album, 'The Serpant' takes it one step further. The album is much more melodic but still contains the power they showed on their first offering. It would no longer be fair to lable this band metalcore because this album proves theyare something much more special. Something much more powerful and monsterous. The sound is simply huge and cudos most go to Steve Evetts for a truly brialliant production job. The guitar work is truly dazziling and show that both Jordan Whelan and Mike Church have truly grown as players. Over the sound this album makes is just to huge to be ignored and so certainely shouldn't be. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics on this album are truly inspiring for a number of reasons. However the brutal honesty they display should be the first and foremost. When vocalist T.J Miller describe this as their 'most honest record we've ever writen' he wasn't wrong. You can truly hit the feelings forcing their way out of your stereo. It is also worth noting that at all points the lyrics fit perfectly with lyrics. As for the singers skills T.J Miller and Mike Church certainly have some of the best sets of pipes in metal. Whether it's the brutal growls or the more melodic moments neither let down and constantly impress. // 10
Impression: My overall impression of this album is simple. It is one of the best albums you could possibly own and well worth whatever you pay for it. Honestly one of the best albums, if not the best, of this year so far. Song wise it's difficult to pick true highlights as it depends purly on your taste. If it's super heavy you want check out closer Avalanche but if it's the more melodic side you crave check out Sleepless Nights Alone and lead single Stay Captive. If you want the midlle ground they supply that as well with tracks like The Wax Walls Of An Empty Room and Anemia In Your Sheets. their truly is something for everyone on this record. Some doubted Still Remains would be able to top their debut album. They have. Hers to the next one. // 10
Erm, That review is full of fail. Bullet For My Valentine and Trivium are not metal.
I feel that the album is a real step down for them. Of Love And Lunacy was such a good album, and it feels like they wanted to do nothing more than sell out with this record from day one. Generic riffs, sub-par singing, and an overall hollow recording.
Also, when the singer tries to alternate between singing and screaming in one line he fails miserably.
there EP "If love was born to die" is still their best CD
I think, the vocals sounded more raw and unique, and the guitar harmonies and keys are awesome. Its not as well recorded as the other albums, but thats what made it sound so cool.
This album is absolutely incredible, they still maintain their heavy sound on tracks like Avalanche and Anemia in your Sheets, and have a song that is sung entirely. The vocal harmonies with T.J and Mike are fantastic. And some of the Keyboard parts in most of the songs are simply brilliant. And for the record a progression in sound doesn't count as selling out.
this is my fav album ov the year by far. it combines all sides, skills and aspects of still remains wether it be true hardcore songs like "anemia in your sheets" or great electronic keyboard sounds of "the serpent" or "sleepless nights" or the slower songs like "maria" and "an undesired reunion".
and then theres the lyrics, which again combines different styles off the band scream and sung, both done amazingly.
now as for the instruments, awsum metal drumming all the way through as well as heavy bass and guitars riffs that are the best of any band i hav heard in a while, also thier solos are second to none
all in all the this band deserve to be way bigger than they are now and hope this album along with still captive brings them lots of sucess. and finaly in my opinion i feel like "the river song" and "dancing with the enemy" should be thier next singles
i loved this album
but it is different to of love and lunacy
that have softened their sound
but the heavy edge theyve kept in songs like anemia in your sheets and avalanche has shown they dont want to throw that away completely.
that said the ending of stay captive and i thinik dancing with the enemy, the whole vocal ending, i thought it was kinda fruity, espescially to do it twice -_-
of love and lunacy was too me a far better album
but this is still a great album
and well worth getting
why argue one what metal is for the 99999th time on here? that doesnt matter. what matters is , this is basically the changes from their previous album to this one:
there last album was more raw , and under produced - in a good way , compared to this album. this sounds like a very generic , cleaned up album.
The heavy feel , unique atmosphere and great vocals and guitarwork from their previous album has been replaced by a faceless clone band that sounds like it has no real band behind it. This album was made to make the crowd of people who liked still remains softer yet very catchy and heavy music buy their even softer and generic album.
Can i be mad at them? No. their band , their decision. The artist's in this band will go down in history as a bunch of sell outs who cared more about selling albums to confused teenagers then sticking with the scene that made them who they were.
Did they lose a fan? Absolutely. I have lost respect for them not as an elitest of heavy music , but someone who believes that making music is personal. On their path it seemed that they had a hard job improving on love and lunacy. Instead they just changed directions ,and i highly doubt it was just that they wanted to lose their sound and go softer.
Erm, That review is full of fail. Bullet For My Valentine and Trivium are not metal.
Yes they are, they're just disappointingly mainstream and generic metal.
Your opinion is full of fault. Generic would mean they sound like every other band, which is not true, they have pretty memorable songs, maybe they're memorable to you becuase it sucks for you. As for mainstream? Come on, mainstream is Rap,Hip-hop,and Pop rock. It's going to take a while for metal to become mainstream here in the states.
i must say i am disapointed... i still respect the hell out of these guys... and this album isnt bad... but im into death metal... and well this album kindof steers away from that genre somewhat anyway... come on white walls... in place of hope... the worst is yet to come... cherished... what happened
personally, i'd say they've definately sold out, thats for sure. I've lost a lot of respect for them, but i still enjoy listening to the new album. Most of the metalcore band of the last few years have sold out and made shit albums recently, but still remains have sold out and made a good album - albeit with less "heart and soul" that they had with their previous records.
now, to clear up some bullshit;
equal parts nu metal and thrash.
seriously, wtf? who wrote that?
cheese_weasel wrote:
And for the record a progression in sound doesn't count as selling out.
who are you to say whether the changes they've made are a progression in sound or not? just because it sounds "progressed" in your ears doesn't necessarily mean the feeling is the same for everyone else. As you can see from most of these comments, a lot of the die-hard fans that went out and bought their first EP feel that they've lost touch with the scene with this new album
antonio666 wrote:
thier solos are second to none
what solos?
jerbal wrote:
trad metal is still metal . fool .
please explain? by "trad" i assume you mean traditional? how are bullet for my valentine and trivium even remotely comparable to traditional metal? all of these bands fit very tidily and understandably under the genre "metalcore". Despite this i agree that metalcore is indeed still metal.
ready2breakdown wrote:
How in the phuck are they mainstream metal? No such thing exist! Metallica's like the only mainstream metal that exist anymore.
contradiction / nonsensical post
---
@ stonedkirby - i agree with you almost totally, and respect your opinion since you're looking at the situation in a seemingly fair and unbiased way. Personally, i like the serpent. As i listen to it, i dont get the feeling of respect and admiration i felt for them while listening to their old stuff, but i still enjoy it.
---
6sic6_blank wrote:
Avalanche is by far the best song on the album. Not only is it about Final Fantasy VII, but it sounds kickass.
seriously? if thats true they totally get back some of the respect points they lost from me :P
metaldud536 wrote:
Your opinion is full of fault. Generic would mean they sound like every other band, which is not true, they have pretty memorable songs, maybe they're memorable to you becuase it sucks for you. As for mainstream? Come on, mainstream is Rap,Hip-hop,and Pop rock. It's going to take a while for metal to become mainstream here in the states.
1) how can someones opinion be faulty? their opinion is unique to them, you have no right to decide that theres something wrong with it
2) they sound like every other ultra-soft metalcore band. Therefore even by your definition they're generic. Memorable does not mean unique.
3) something doesn't have to become a gigantic overflowing trend in order to be classed as mainstream. The new still remains album has had radio airplay, video airplay, press and media coverage, copies sold in mainstream music stores, even singles released and reaching chart positions. Any band with seperate wikipedia pages for its numerous albums qualifies as mainstream in my eyes, and im pretty sure most music fans would agree with me.
This album is a HUGE let down. The only songs that are even worth listening to are The Serpent (and that's an instrumental) and Avalanche. Their clean vocalist got worse on this album, and their screamer should utilize his full range of vocals more often. The keyboardist seems like he's the only stand out member of this band now.
Still Remains has let Michigan down, at least we still have TBDM.
And it feels like they wanted to do nothing more than sell out with this record from day one. Generic riffs, sub-par singing, and an overall hollow recording.
Yeah totally, I'm sure that was their aim. "Hey man we've produced one good album already got a steady fan base but on this new album, let's sell out and make miserable turd metal".
On a more serious note (D Sharp). This album is melodic awesomeness and stamps them down as a metalcore band to be reckoned with.
i must say i am disapointed... i still respect the hell out of these guys... and this album isnt bad... but im into death metal... and well this album kindof steers away from that genre somewhat anyway... come on white walls... in place of hope... the worst is yet to come... cherished... what happened
Can you please explain to me how Still Remains was ever death metal? I mean, what's your definition of death metal? I'll bet you'd say Lamb of God is death metal, right? Job For A Cowboy is, in my opinion, death metal, but I don't know much about the genre other than that death metal bands have really intense names like Rigor Mortis, Mortuary, or Obituary. Still Remains? The name doesn't fit.
siahjo wrote:
Can you please explain to me how Still Remains was ever death metal? I mean, what's your definition of death metal? I'll bet you'd say Lamb of God is death metal, right? Job For A Cowboy is, in my opinion, death metal, but I don't know much about the genre other than that death metal bands have really intense names like Rigor Mortis, Mortuary, or Obituary. Still Remains? The name doesn't fit.
^Dude thinks he is gonna be slick and get away with quoting comedian Mitch Hedberg to make himself look smarter. He uses those exact words about death metal band names during his stand up! dumb ass
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I feel that the album is a real step down for them. Of Love And Lunacy was such a good album, and it feels like they wanted to do nothing more than sell out with this record from day one. Generic riffs, sub-par singing, and an overall hollow recording.
Also, when the singer tries to alternate between singing and screaming in one line he fails miserably.