Released: Aug 31, 2010
Genre: Metalcore, experimental metal
Label: Fearless
Number Of Tracks: 10
Backed by experience and an undeniable collection of talent, the group have polished the beginning of their career with a shiny debut.
DeceiverFeatured review by: UG Team, on september 30, 2010 0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: One great thing about the post-hardcore scene is that it's extremely similar in a way to professional sports as musicians can float between different bands. The average person would think such constant change could destroy a collective group, but for this particular genre, it has been known to improve artists and their talents and increase their exposure. For most cases, in a positive way. Exhibit A is The Word Alive. Having issued an extended play in 2009, the group was led by frontman Tyler "Telle" Smith to write an oddly impressive debut. His talent and experience (former member of acts like Emarosa, In Fear And Faith and Greeley Estates) is illuminated throughout the disc.
But like most metalcore acts, the Phoenix six-piece can't seem to grasp the branch called "unique". Opening tracks "The Hounds Of Anubis" and "Epiphany" swirl spiderweb guitar licks with carnivorous vocals and a menacing kick behind the drum kit but don't leave listeners searching for their teeth after being kicked in the mouth. Part of the reason could be due to producer Andrew Wade's efforts as though Deceiver has a tough exterior, its innards are lined with experimental rock melodies giving it a pop feel semi-hardcore fans can stomach. Stitching together the fluffiness inside is a raw power and sound The Word Alive perspire without any awkwardness. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: Smith's vocal strength is outlined with a highlighter that is The Word Alive's first EP Empire. The musician's gut-wrenched scream tried to dance with the bands brash anthem-sized sound but tripped, no matter how hard it tried. On Deceiver, it has learnt from its mistakes as Smith's voice is wrapped in piercing breakdowns that propel his voice to the center of your attention ("Like Father Like Son", "We Know Who You Are"). The clean vocals on the otherhand appear forced (cue "Consider It Mutual" and "2012") and when tied with simple lyrics, it doesn't scratch your ears or your brain the way it should as it staples the "just-another-metalcore" label to the group. // 7
Impression: Metalcore bands are sprouting from various cities across the United States and beyond but with Deceiver, The Word Alive show they're not another simplistic Vans Warped Tour attraction. Backed by experience and an undeniable collection of talent, the group have polished the beginning of their career with a shiny debut. Now they just need time to stray away from the pop metal hooks that infect the scene they hope to tear apart. // 7
Deceiver
Reviewed by:
b_walls, on april 26, 2012 1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: In my personal opinion, the instruments are ground breaking. The guitar work is never the same and not only creative but catchy. Tony and Zach's skills are ridiculous and they both mesh so well. The one thing I love the most is that the breakdowns are never the same, instead of the repetitive open chugs you see in most Core bands. You have songs like "Hounds Of Anubis" where Telle screams "You have failed me for the last time" then the breakdown just drives which is rare to see. In addition, the breakdown in "2012" is just extremely catchy, it instantly gets stuck in your head all day. The only song that I felt lacked on the album was "We Know Who You Are" Epic beginning but the ending to the song just dragged out way too much. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics is the most lacking part of the album. It is more "in your face" and "everyone screwed me over, now I want revenge" type lyrics which goes with the title of the album but it gets repetitive with lyrics like "we won’t follow the deceiver", "this is what you get for f--cking with me", "you f--cking fake". I will say that I give props to Telle for his lyrics in "Consider It Mutual". "If friends are friends for never, then we were never friends at all" which is rumored to be an attack towards Greeley Estates. It’s probably the best comeback I have ever seen in a song. // 6
Impression: Overall, I would have to say that The Word Alive has a lot of potential. I’m sure someone would disagree with me but in my opinion they are the most unique (Instrumentally) Metalcore band out there right now. Telle isn’t the best singer that I ever heard in this genre but he works well in the band, though I wouldn’t have mind to see what they would have sound like with Craig Mabbit. My favorite songs on "Deceiver" would have to be "2012" for its brutal, yet catchy rifts, "Epiphany" for its overall song structure and "The Wretched" because of the amazing breakdown with David from We Came As Romans. // 9
Deceiver
Reviewed by:
IIParadoxIII, on october 24, 2011 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: This album hold back nothing. With they're first full album release, The Word Alive proves that they belong in the post-hardcore scene. Unlike other bands though, The Word Alive uses punishing guitar riffs like the ones found on "Epiphany", "The Hounds Of Anubis" and "We Know Who You Are". The best thing I found about this album is the fact that The Word Alive switches from head-banging metal to heart-grabbing ballads. "You're All I See", "Consider It Mutual" and "Dream Catcher" so the "softer" side of this band, but they still keep it rocking. "2012" is easily my favorite track though. Its sound is gritty and the techno breakdown is the only one of its kind. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: Telle's screaming is very brutal on this album. He mixes his highs and lows perfectly. The guitar players also sing and the balance of scream/sing is better than most other bands do. The lyrics are more on the darker side about hurt with a mix of your traditional "I'm going to prove myself". I feel like the lyrics could have been more "deep", but the singing/screaming is quite good. // 6
Impression: This is a strong debut by this band. I've listened to it quite a few times and still go back to it. Sometimes bands debuts aren't quite as good as a sophomore release, but The Word Alive's debut sounds like a veteran's band best album. I'm looking forward to seeing what these guys will do on later releases. This is a great addition to anyone who loves post-hardcore's library. // 9
Deceiver
Reviewed by:
ninjagayden777, on november 19, 2010 0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: The Word Alive are a relative newcomer to the metalcore scene, but that doesn't make them any less capable of breaking some necks with their first major release as a unit. The band incorporates standards of the genre (uber-heavy breakdowns, sung choruses, etc.) but also add their own flairs, while making the standard stuff sound fresh. Their keyboardist adds a nice touch to the overall sound (see Hounds of Anubis or 2012) and the band isn't afraid to let the engines cool off for some slower numbers. The guitar work can be absolutely stunning, shifting from breakdowns to extreme technical flourishes a la August Burns Red or We Came As Romans. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: Lyrically, the band isn't terrible, just not overly impressive. You have your standard metalcore fare in the breakdowns (ex. 2012 breakdown, the vocalist rasps "you get what you deserve for f*&%ing with me"). The lyrics aren't absolutely terrible, but it's most certainly not something to bring the band down any. // 7
Impression: Deceiver is an album worth checking out whether your big on Metalcore or just getting into the genre. These fellows take a fresh new spin on a genre that has been constantly loosing steam for a while now. This album is totally worth the purchase price if you can find it. // 9
awesome album. loved em when a few of the members were with Calling of Syrens, lost touch before the EP came out and after i heard it had to buy everything they had.
Its utterly disgusting how generic this band is. OH BUT I'LL BET SOMEONE WILL RESPOND AND SO HOW AWESOME IT IS ANYWAY. Its not. Synths do not automatically make it better.. it sounds exactly like Asking Alexandria.
Its utterly disgusting how generic this band is. OH BUT I'LL BET SOMEONE WILL RESPOND AND SO HOW AWESOME IT IS ANYWAY. Its not. Synths do not automatically make it better.. it sounds exactly like Asking Alexandria.
generic, yes, but one of the best generic ones. very talented at their individual instruments, but it's too bad they're playing in a very saturated genre. someone who hadn't heard asking alexandria, attack attack, etc. would be impressed by this album.
They aren't as generic as people claim. They have much better leads than Asking Alexandria and are just better in general. They also do stuff tastefully, its not all full pelt scream/sign combos for 40mins.
Its utterly disgusting how generic this band is. OH BUT I'LL BET SOMEONE WILL RESPOND AND SO HOW AWESOME IT IS ANYWAY. Its not. Synths do not automatically make it better.. it sounds exactly like Asking Alexandria.
generic, yes, but one of the best generic ones. very talented at their individual instruments, but it's too bad they're playing in a very saturated genre. someone who hadn't heard asking alexandria, attack attack, etc. would be impressed by this album.
I'd agree to that, but take away the synths.. ya know, just more of the same.
this band's way better than asking alexandria. they're really not as generic as you think. maybe i don't listen enough to the genre but i'd have thought this is a pretty sick album. epiphany is an amazing song.
yeah this band is a lot better than asking alexandria. but then again they are very generic. they have very talented guitarists thought. so i am torn on whether or not to like them!
You don't have to be original to be good. If it sounds good to me, I don't care how much they sound like another band. Anyway, these guys are a hell of a lot better than Asking Alexandria or Attack Attack.
So i know this genre gets a lot of shit about being generic. And The Word Alive is much the same as other bands in it. But, in my opinion, these guys kill tons of other bands with the same style. In the songs that aren't "fluffy", they bring more heat than ive ever heard from any other band. They may not be the most unique, but they do bring a little something new to the table. And unlike many other bands with a keyboard, this guy actually knows what hes doing. Also, the guitar work is completely unique and well done.
All in all- I agree, what they do isnt anything overly unique, but theyre amazing at it.
If every band that came out was absolutely original or ground breaking, then it wouldn't be special at all. This band doesn't bring anything new to the table but they do what they do very well. I'm sick and tired of ppl always bashing bands because they sound similar to another band. I mean ****, that's why they're in the same genre isn't it? If you don't like them, that's not a problem but enough of the "they sound like this band, therefore they suck" argument...ranting aside, I think they did some pretty interesting things on this album especially with the delay on guitars in songs like "consider it mutual"
You guys have no idea what the hell you are talking about. This is not "another Asking Alexandria" or "another carbon copy -core band". Breakdowns are placed perfectly and aren't being used, the synths actually lend to the music and blend perfectly with the guitar. It's not just another gimmick. Vocals are also top notch, guitar solos are a great touch, and the drumming is superb.
I saw this band with Bleeding Through. Deceiver is an awesome album, definitely worth a listen. This breaks away from the generic qualities of post-hardcore and is pretty enjoyable.
You guys have no idea what the hell you are talking about. This is not "another Asking Alexandria" or "another carbon copy -core band". Breakdowns are placed perfectly and aren't being used, the synths actually lend to the music and blend perfectly with the guitar. It's not just another gimmick. Vocals are also top notch, guitar solos are a great touch, and the drumming is superb.
Don't knock it until you listen to it. The end.
This.
Love the dubstep-breakdown in "Like Father Like Son"
Its utterly disgusting how generic this band is. OH BUT I'LL BET SOMEONE WILL RESPOND AND SO HOW AWESOME IT IS ANYWAY. Its not. Synths do not automatically make it better.. it sounds exactly like Asking Alexandria.
generic, yes, but one of the best generic ones. very talented at their individual instruments, but it's too bad they're playing in a very saturated genre. someone who hadn't heard asking alexandria, attack attack, etc. would be impressed by this album.
I'd agree to that, but take away the synths.. ya know, just more of the same.
obviously someones gunna respond saying how awesome it is.. what makes your opinion more important than everyone elses? Just because you say "oh i bet people are gunna say their awesome anyways. but i know better than all of you..blah blah" doesn't make you seem intelligent, it makes you look like an arrogant ****. Which you clearly are... Not the biggest fan heavy music, but i definitely pop the word alive in sometimes.. you ever watch the videos of them playing their riffs? Their amazing musicians and you gotta respect that, no matter what type of music they choose to play.
I just recently discovered this band and I gotta say, I think they're a great group of individuals and they all have a lot of talent. They know how to make good music. I personally don't care if a band is "generic" or not, if the music sounds good, and in this case it does, I'm gonna listen to it, and support them. As an active musician, I know how it feels to take constructive criticism, but saying these guys suck, or they're not very good is just utterly wrong.
good band, great guys, met them when i went to see them live. Loaded with talent, the guitar parts are excellent as well as every other aspect. who doesn't love a dubstep breakdown as awesome as in 2012. expect big things from these guys
Amazing band, there is nothing Generic about them what so ever! Every Member is an amazing musician, and I love hoe creative the breakdowns are. They set the bar for every "Core" band out there.
haters gonna hate. man this shit is 1 of my fav bands, fresh stuff, sum of the best stuff iv heard in metalcore, and r u kidding me? the lyrics r amazing, and everything else keyboard, etc r amazingly done, flatout rating of a 10 in my opinion overall
Amazing band, there is nothing Generic about them what so ever! Every Member is an amazing musician, and I love hoe creative the breakdowns are. They set the bar for every "Core" band out there.
