DEVIL SOLD HIS SOUL

(Oddly enough, the only reviews of this ep so far are from me and my brother, and oddly enough, we have similar opinions, but I will say more positives about it than he does)

I have known about this band for a while, and have always had a soft spot for them. Now post metal to me can be a bit of a grey area. It can either be done ok or just bore me to tears. Now these guys do it pretty right for me. They're not perfect?but no one is. But the thing that really attracted me to the band was the incorporation of post hardcore and screamo. Now with post hardcore, I have a massive soft spot for?but with scream? hmmm?

Ok?the first Bring Me The Horizon ep I actually like (which pains me to say so), but these guys do it pretty well. In fact, the best vocals on the album are the screams, which really add to the haunting atmosphere of the music. But the real negative of the band's sound is the clean singing. It's ok at times, but now and then it can be a bit whiney and reminds me of Poison The Well, who I really don't like.

Musically the ep is brilliant, especially in the production. I'm surprised that these songs weren't saved for their first album (although, when you listen to their first album, you really have t acknowledge that it is an "album"). The music blends well and every detail and guitar riff is heard, with precision detail in the production. I also love the fact that each guitar is in a separate ear, which is a very unique way of recording guitars.

Lyrically the album is pretty whiney?but in a philosophical stance. The songs don't deal with ex girlfriends, but rather than quite universal situations that anyone can be in. To be honest, they're a lot smarter than some of the bands who try and pull of this lyrical style.

1. Darkness Prevails ? Great way to start off the ep...and their career. Probably my favourite song from these guys. Great twists, turns and atmospheric moments. Nice vocals. 9/10

2. Some Friend ? Some really killer riffs and moments in this song. One of the most atmospheric moments on the ep. Great build ups throughout. 8/10

3. Clouds ? One of the most straightforward songs on the ep. Some pretty cool vocals. 7/10

4. Liyl ? It's songs like this that makes me come back to this band and genre. A beautiful instrumental interlude. 8/10

5. Like It's Your Last ? Wow, what a way to end an album. I love how this song is based around a simple pattern, but builds up and breaks down throughout. Great emotional vocals, and amaing instrumentation. An epic of a song. 10/10

CONCLUSION: This doesn't seem to good?until the end. Yes this ep really does seem a lot better, especially after the last song and you have time to digest it. This band really do have a talent of surprising you, and because this is a debut

7.1/10

This is the first album recorded by Devil Sold His Soul a progressive post Hardcore band from England, and just like the EP released 2 years before its very samey same, the cool addition they have added this time around though is the use of a lot more ambience, keyboards and just all round atmosphere, theres a real darker tone and a darker edge to this release, also with it being longer there is longer songs and more extended sections. Just like the EP though the style is just the same, i still love his screams but its just the clean vocals i cant really take although theres not as much of them here which is a good thing, musically though as you'd expect its very very epic (just as i like it) songs like AS THE STORM UNFOLDS and HOPE, there is some shorter more rockyer songs on this album as well with songs like AT THE RND OF THE TUNNEL and the Enslaved meets Opeth riffs of BETWEEN TWO WORLDS. The production is a lot more slick than the EP what with the band having more money to spend this time around to make a decent album, and musicmanship aain is great, no worries there;

In the Absence of Light - 7/10 As the Storm Unfolds- 8/10 The Starting - 7/10 Sirens Chant - 7/10 At The End of the Tunnel - 8/10 Between Two Words - 8/10 Awaiting the Flood - 8/10 Dawn of the First Day - 8/10 Coroner - 7/10 Hope - 9/10

My Conclusion? another good release i just wish they wouldve progressed on this album, but still decent enough.

This is the first official release from this ambiant influenced progressive/ post hardcore band from England. Having only released one album so far (2007's A Fragile Hope) this was their first 'demo' released in 2005 and i have to say for the most part im impressed, musically this band is just really epic, i think its the vocals that really let them down, especially the singers clean vocals as they can come off a bit whiney and emo sounding, and really gets annoying after a while but after repeated listens to this 5 track release i really enjoyed it as he really makes up for the clean vocals with his growls and screams (he really has a set of pipes on him, song to really check out for that is CLOUDS or SOME FRIENDS) throw in an istrumental to seal the deal LIYL nd its quite an impressive wee ditty of an ep. Production as you'd expect is somewhat decent, can be a bit tinny at times but i wasnt really expecting the full works here, the instruments are played well and the songs are god and thats all that matters;

Darkness Prevails - 7/10 Some Friend - 8/10 Clouds - 8/10 LIYL - 9/10 Like It's Your Last - 8/10

My Conclusion? I have to admit i was quite impressed, not perfect, but a decent effort.