This Is Exile Review

Release Date: Jul 8, 2008
Label: Metal Blade
Genres: Deathcore, Death metal
Number Of Tracks: 11
Knoxville, Tennessee's Whitechapel seamlessly meld death metal, grind, and hardcore to create a blistering brand of modern death metal that leaves fans no other choice but to throw themselves into an uncontrollable frenzy in the pit.

Sound:	8.7
Lyrics:	9.3
Impression:	9
Overall rating:	9
Users rating:	8.9
Comments:	37

overall: 9

Featured review by: TheEndOfDaze, on august 25, 2008

Sound: Whitechapel is another deathcore band, but they're one of the most impressive bands in their genre to appear. Their usage of three guitars add to the unique sound that they create for their style of music. The guitarists tend to show more skill than most deathcore bands I've heard, which is very nice to hear. They also do numerous breakdown sections in the course of this album, and they're more dissident than any other breakdowns I've heard. The guitarists for this band have some very impressive skills for the style they play. Most deathcore bands tend to get boring and repetitive after the first few songs, but Whitechapel never really repeat themselves. They even throw in 2 instrumental songs on this album that are very well laid out and they do offer a break from the nearly constant ferociousness of the album. The first single from this album, 'This Is Exile', is one of the hardest hitting songs on the album. It offers two breakdown sections and some of the best vocal work done on the album. // 9

Lyrics and Singing: Like every other deathcore band, vocalist Phil Bozeman contributes his 'cookie monster vocals' to this album. However, he does throw some high pitched screams into the mix and he's definitely one of the best at what he does. The blood-curdling guttural Bozeman does before the massive breakdown section at the end of 'This Is Exile' is some of the darkest vocal work I've heard. He can actual strike fear into you at some points on this album. As for the lyrics, he seems to paint a very violent picture. Death is a very common subject that he sings about throughout this album, but just as everything else that they do on this album, he switches it up one or two times. Overall, these lyrics and vocal styles are stereotypical for the genre, but that's because they fit the music style so well. // 9

Impression: Like I've said before, Whitechapel are a nice change from the rest of the deathcore genre. They execute this album very well and it keeps you interested from beginning to end. 'Messiahbolical' is what might be the most powerful ending to an album I've ever heard. As the last track, it had a lot to live up to, and this song is one of the best on the CD. This track has the best guitar work on the album in my opinion, and Phil delivers with some hard hitting vocals. In one part, he sings, 'Every first born child I have slaughtered and every virgin I have defiled, Even the blind have seen my blasphemies, The deaf hear my sacrilege'. I love the near perfect execution of this album. Whitechapel do what they do extremely well. I can't really say that there's anything on this album that I hate. This is definitely one of the best, if not the best, deathcore effort I've heard this year. // 9

overall: 8

Reviewed by: kellen.dobmeier, on july 09, 2009

Sound: Whitechapel's "This is Exile" is a blistering Deathcore assault. Most impressive is the production, which is necessary when you play with the speed and precision that these dudes do. They get a little breakdown happy at times which really slows the songs down. Fear not, however, because they don't completely suck like Suicide Silence. First and foremost, their guitarists (Ben Savage, Alex Wade, and Zach Householder)can actually play their guitars. They may not play like the guitarists from All Shall Perish or Beneath the Massacre, but they keep the complexity up enough to make the music interesting. Kevin Lane is also an exceptional drummer. The bass is pretty much non-existent, but most deathcore bassists don't really play much anyway. Standout tracks: Messiahbolical, Possession, To All That are Dead, and Eternal Refuge. // 7

Lyrics and Singing: Phil Bozeman's lyrics can be rather disgusting and Satanic (but not to quite the extent of Death Metal gods like Deicide). He does, however, create memorable lines that fit to the music such as "I assure everything isn't what it seems to be" from the song 'Eternal Refuge." His vocals are outstanding to be honest. He is precise, he is clear, and he dominates the speakers with ease which is also evident in their live show. // 9

Impression: The Somatic Defilement was also well produced, but not quite as well as this album. That's what sets the two apart in my eyes. While long-time fans swear by Somatic, I prefer This is Exile. This band has unlimited potential and I hope to see Ben Savage rip out more solos than on this effort. The best song on the record, To All That Are Dead, contains a fairly impressive solo (more impressive than the Father of Lies solo at least) and outstanding lyrics and performances from each member of the band. I enjoy Whitechapel right now, but I sure hope they continue to fulfill their potential and grow as a band with albums to come. // 8

overall: 10

Reviewed by: masterofmetal00, on january 14, 2009

Sound: With the brutal guys of Knoxville, Tennessee, they have brought the deathcore scene to what it really should up raised up towards. With their double bass machine beats, blastbeats out of nowhere, other deathcore bands don't stand a chance against the drumming in this band. Having two guitars for a death metal/hardcore band can be pretty brutal, but when you put three together, it's like a earthquake nonstop! They've made it clear that their hear to show us what deathcore is all about. One thing that really does stand out, alot, in this album is the mind blowing vocals. For someone growl so long and scream the way Phil does, has some great skills. He is by far the best growler in deathcore history. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics have the most great story in each song. If you want something in your face and ready to fight, you got it! With the anti-messiah feel to these and the evil stories they put out to us, it's quite obvious that they stick to what they believe in. For example, the line from Father Of Lies: "My procreator, stand your ****ing ground" really shows about them being against god and telling all of us, that he isnt as strong or no where near what these christian say. When you listen to Daemon, you get the sensation of knowing that something evil will soon come to earth and rise as god itself. // 10

Impression: Okay, my last thoughts about the brutal hit, This Is Exile. To me, other deathcore releases doesnt't stand a chance so far with the godly album. If you want something that will get you pumped and ready for a fight, or something aggressive, you got it with Father Of Lies all the way to Messiahbolical. Some say they use too much breakdowns, some don't, but my opinion is that these guys deserve to do what they love best and they have done a dang good job of it! // 10

Comments

[Shredder Guitar]

freagin' BADASS CD. i love this band... i dont know what they do that makes them sound so much better than other bands... but just the thrashiness of the Drop A tuned guitars sounds so IMMENSE. thumbs up for sure!

[chasious d]

this review is extremely accurate. the album is just incredible from 'Father of Lies' to 'Messiahbolical', but my favorite song was definitely Possession. I started playing in Drop A tuning after i heard this album for the first time

[Shredder Guitar]

lol same here man... it just nuts how well they can play the riffs they do. They aren't like other bands that tune that low just to think they sound badass... the guitars are probably my favorite part of this band

[think11270]

This is one of my favorite albums, I can't believe they produced something so badass on a short time after "The Somatic Defilement" which basically gave them their metal blade spot. I will have to do a review on the Somatic Defilement, it is a little bit better than this album - and the lyrics are just phenomental. This is definitely one of my favorite bands from the Deathcore scene, they really have a heavy feeling and the vocals are just what I've always wanted to hear. Whitechapel is one of those bands that you can listen to a whole cd without getting bored, it's a hard thing to find in a band (especially metal) these days.
I also tuned to A after hearing these guys. ha ha

[63Dylan63]

think11270, I couldn't agree with you more, Whitechapel are ****ing amazing. I just recently went to see them and they were forced to cancel their show because people were freaking out over their lyrics. It really sucked, but I got most of them to sign my poster... Anyway, this album is ****ing epic.

[Black-Goat]

this is my favorite band!
and i have to say that the somatic defilement and this is exile albums are just a f*cking masterpiece!
no one like whitechapel!!

[xXDyingSkiesXx]

By far the most brootal, awe-inspiring album on my iPod. These guys are the reason I bought by C7 Hellraiser....needless to say..its always A.... haha that rhymed but yeah im proud to have This Is Exile. And ill agree with Black-Goat. This has to be my FAVORITE band of all time....absoulutely ****ing epic and a crown amongst the thorns of the bland deathcore genre

[Metallic_Blood]

Whitechapel are the only death core band I like, and "This is Exile" is nowhere near as good as their last album "The Somatic Defilement" That album was raw and powerful, this album sounds to produced for the style of metal they play. All in my opinion of course.

[Metallic_Blood]

Whitechapel are the only death core band I like, and while this album is ok, "The Somatic Defilement" was sooooo much better. It was heavier, the lyrics were better, and it sounded much rawer than "This is Exile" TIE was overproduced for the type of metal this is, it should be edgier. Just my opinion.

[Phe4rTheGod]

This band gets too much hype...nothing great with them, I've listened and tried and tried to appreciate them, but I just can't...chugachug rhythms get very tiresome and repetitive...

Great timing for having three guitarists though, I give them that...one mistake live and the song would be shot...

[Tony Alley]

This C.D and The Somatic Defilement are amazing

[afortuneinlies]

Phe4rTheGod wrote:

This band gets too much hype...nothing great with them, I've listened and tried and tried to appreciate them, but I just can't...chugachug rhythms get very tiresome and repetitive...

Great timing for having three guitarists though, I give them that...one mistake live and the song would be shot...

you're pretty right. they're a good band, not spectacular, but definitely A-list deathcore. they don't get tedious, which is the most important thing. The guitars aren't impressive, fitting though. I'd say they're good song writers. However, Kevin Lane is a monster on drums. also...

Myspace.com/adelaidetn

up and coming deathcore band...really good stuff, kinda like whitechapel.

[Josh Laiho]

I listened to Whitechapel after a friend told me about them and I must say that they sound like Death Metal without balls. I just didn't like it. I found them to be very annoying.

[RLPatriots0499]

I listened to Whitechapel after a friend told me about them and I must say that they sound like Death Metal without balls. I just didn't like it. I found them to be very annoying.

You obviously don't have a good taste for good music at all whatsoever than. Death metal without balls? are you ****ing kidding me? You just keep listening to your all that remains and devil wears prada pussy shit. I hate you.

[Josh Laiho]

RLPatriots0499 wrote:

I listened to Whitechapel after a friend told me about them and I must say that they sound like Death Metal without balls. I just didn't like it. I found them to be very annoying.
You obviously don't have a good taste for good music at all whatsoever than. Death metal without balls? are you ****ing kidding me? You just keep listening to your all that remains and devil wears prada pussy shit. I hate you.

.

Uhh...I hate the devil wears prada, just look up the plagues review by them, I talked shit about them on there. I also hate all that remains, they aren't even death metal. When I refer to death metal I mean bands like Morbid Angel, Nile, Possessed, and Death. Thats real death metal and they actually have balls.

[Josh Laiho]

RLPatriots0499 wrote:

I listened to Whitechapel after a friend told me about them and I must say that they sound like Death Metal without balls. I just didn't like it. I found them to be very annoying.
You obviously don't have a good taste for good music at all whatsoever than. Death metal without balls? are you ****ing kidding me? You just keep listening to your all that remains and devil wears prada pussy shit. I hate you.

btw the devil wears prada is not even close to being death metal. I just gave my opinion on this album there is no need for you to act like an idiot about it and actually respect other peoples opinions.

[RLPatriots0499]

yeah no shit. i'm just saying that when you said it sounds like death metal without balls i wanted to rip off your face. If thats your honest opinion on their music than you have no music knowledge whatsoever and should never post on here again until you know what your talking about.

[Josh Laiho]

RLPatriots0499 wrote:

yeah no shit. i'm just saying that when you said it sounds like death metal without balls i wanted to rip off your face. If thats your honest opinion on their music than you have no music knowledge whatsoever and should never post on here again until you know what your talking about.

You're acting really immature. I know what I'm talking about. Wow you wanna rip my face off for not liking a band that you obviously worship, how stupid is that.

[Josh Laiho]

RLPatriots0499 wrote:

yeah no shit. i'm just saying that when you said it sounds like death metal without balls i wanted to rip off your face. If thats your honest opinion on their music than you have no music knowledge whatsoever and should never post on here again until you know what your talking about.

You're acting really immature. I know what I'm talking about. Wow you wanna rip my face off for not liking a band that you obviously worship, how stupid is that. You need to grow up. So what if I don't like the same shit as you, so ****ing what, does it really make a difference?

[RLPatriots0499]

this is far from my favorite band. but they are damn good. Your opinion is that you dont like them which is whatever, but you just don't know what your talking about. Everything you said was wrong. End of story.

[Josh Laiho]

RLPatriots0499 wrote:

this is far from my favorite band. but they are damn good. Your opinion is that you dont like them which is whatever, but you just don't know what your talking about. Everything you said was wrong. End of story.

Whatever. You are obviously a close-minded person so you need to stfu.

[breakdown123]

well....i like the devil wears prada? XD

[See_Jay]

Those who say the guitars aren't impressive need to look up some of their tabs or just clean the wax out of their ears."Impressive" is an under-statement. Not many of their songs have been tabbed out because they are just too BRUTAL.

And to Josh Laiho...you are retarded. WhiteChapel has the most rawest sound. WC and Suicide Silence are the most heaviest bands on the scene now-a-days. Not many death-core bands solo or sweep; not to mention as good as WC and SS.

[mtllica]

See_Jay wrote:

Those who say the guitars aren't impressive need to look up some of their tabs or just clean the wax out of their ears."Impressive" is an under-statement. Not many of their songs have been tabbed out because they are just too BRUTAL.

And to Josh Laiho...you are retarded. WhiteChapel has the most rawest sound. WC and Suicide Silence are the most heaviest bands on the scene now-a-days. Not many death-core bands solo or sweep; not to mention as good as WC and SS.

I absolutely LOVE both Whitechapel and Suicide Silence, and don't get me wrong, but I hardly find SS's guitars impressive. But that's just my opinion.

[Josh Laiho]

See_Jay wrote:

Those who say the guitars aren't impressive need to look up some of their tabs or just clean the wax out of their ears."Impressive" is an under-statement. Not many of their songs have been tabbed out because they are just too BRUTAL.

And to Josh Laiho...you are retarded. WhiteChapel has the most rawest sound. WC and Suicide Silence are the most heaviest bands on the scene now-a-days. Not many death-core bands solo or sweep; not to mention as good as WC and SS.

Are all Whitechapels fans stupid and close-minded? Why can you not accept somebody else's opinion? I think deathcore sucks anyway. I have tried many times to get into this band and it has failed everytime. I just can not get into them. This band has not made a mark on heavy metal at all, therefor they won't be remembered and nobody will be listening to them in 5-10 years from now. They just don't have a unique sound. Whitechapel is really not that brutal. I've heard a lot of metal that is a whole lot more brutal.

But as far as you saying I'm retarded because I don't like this shit and I don't like Suicide Silence either, you are the one that is retarded for not accepting and respecting another person's opinion. So what if I don't like this trendy metal shit, I like true metal.

[kellen.dobmeier]

See_Jay :
Those who say the guitars aren't impressive need to look up some of their tabs or just clean the wax out of their ears."Impressive" is an under-statement. Not many of their songs have been tabbed out because they are just too BRUTAL.

And to Josh Laiho...you are retarded. WhiteChapel has the most rawest sound. WC and Suicide Silence are the most heaviest bands on the scene now-a-days. Not many death-core bands solo or sweep; not to mention as good as WC and SS.

-The main difference between WC and SS is that WC is very good and SS sucks major balls. Where are you getting this SS is good at soloing and sweep picking when the only solo on "The Cleansing" was some VERY SLOW sweep picking at the end of No Pity For a Coward. Do not defend SS. Their guitarists suck, their drummer sucks when it comes to deathcore, and their vocals are very obviously fake. Figure it out.

[Motorbreath628]

wow. you guys are acting like a bunch of pubescent 12 year o;ds, but considering you're on a whitechapel page, you probably are. but i dont want to stereotype, even though its probably true, considering you can't this gay trendy mainstream poseur bands 3 inch dick any harder. kill yourselves, its people like you that have corrupted metal and the music industry in general.

[Motorbreath628]

wow. you guys are acting like a bunch of pubescent 12 year olds, but considering you're on a whitechapel page, you probably are. but i dont want to stereotype, even though its probably true, considering you can't ride this gay trendy mainstream poseur bands 3 inch dick any harder. kill yourselves, its people like you that have corrupted metal and the music industry in general.

[opiatexforxthe]

first off we all need to take a chill pill its not that important to fight over a band being good or bad is stupid and makes both parties look foolish. yes deathcore as a whole has seemingly spun itself into obliblivion but that does not mean the bands that are good do not deserve any respect and no you dont have to like someone to respect what they do or bring to the world. whitechapel is a good band no not the best no not the hardest band alive but that is because no matter how hard a band goes or how good they are there will always be a better more badass band thats the way its been and will always be. yes deathcore has lost its momentum now but it was nice while it lasted it was a change from the cannible corpse/slayer formula metal has used for decades it provided hope for something new and different. no it did not ruin metal i think metal has been through way worse periods and this is one that was not that bad but it is time to move forward this has gained to much commercial success and that ruins even the purest of ideas so i look forward to the next wave.

[iH8CarAccidents]

opiatexforxthe wrote:

first off we all need to take a chill pill its not that important to fight over a band being good or bad is stupid and makes both parties look foolish. yes deathcore as a whole has seemingly spun itself into obliblivion but that does not mean the bands that are good do not deserve any respect and no you dont have to like someone to respect what they do or bring to the world. whitechapel is a good band no not the best no not the hardest band alive but that is because no matter how hard a band goes or how good they are there will always be a better more badass band thats the way its been and will always be. yes deathcore has lost its momentum now but it was nice while it lasted it was a change from the cannible corpse/slayer formula metal has used for decades it provided hope for something new and different. no it did not ruin metal i think metal has been through way worse periods and this is one that was not that bad but it is time to move forward this has gained to much commercial success and that ruins even the purest of ideas so i look forward to the next wave.

Sir... Thank you... Thank you.
It's refreshing to hear a voice of reason among all the "This band sucks balls!"
"No, THAT band sucks balls!"

[xImAGangsterx]

Whats all this talk about TDWP and All That Remains being death metal? hahahah

but besides that, this CD's straight up good as ****, not as good as The Somatic Defilement but almost there.

Way better quality

[Nor'Easterbass]

i love how carnifex NEVER shows up in discussions about whitechapel and suicide silence. all three of them sounded the SAME on their first albums but now that they have become more individual and creative with their own sounds, i can appreciate them alot more.

for those of you who are so close-minded that you think anything with a breakdown isnt death metal...you're F*CKING...RETARDED! I'd love to see you in the pit at a 'chapel show.

[mtllica]

CAST DOWN ALL WHO OPPOSE YOU!

[kellen.dobmeier]

Suicide Silence doesn't sound like Whitechapel. They sound like trudgy, shit-toned guitars and drums with over-produced vocals. They suck shit. I don't know how the hell Dave Mustaine is letting them open up for Megadeth. I mean, come on, it's Megadeth, Warbringer and Suicide Silence. Suicide Silence are just embarrassing themselves.

[kellen.dobmeier]

Suicide Silence sounds nothing like Whitechapel. Suicide Silence sounds like trudgy, shit-toned guitars and drums with over produced vocals. They only wish they were as good as Whitechapel. I have no idea why Dave Mustaine is letting Suicide Silence open for Megadeth. I mean, come on, it's Megadeth, Warbringer, and Suicide Silence. Suicide Silence is just embarrassing themselves.

[Nor'Easterbass]

if you listen to all three bands early early stuff, yes they do sound quite the same. it's when they each did their own thing (and SS just stayed the same) that the bands all set themselves apart.

[schangatang]

br00tal