The Word Alive - Deceiver
Whilst they might have originally started out as Escape The Fate's vocalist Craig Mabbitt's small side-project, post-hardcore outfit The Word Alive passionately prove they are not ones to push aside on their debut album "Deceiver".
Having ditched Mabbitt in 2008 due to his reluctance to fully focus on the mob's music and career, the boisterous band, who replaced the singer with ex-Greeley Estates and In Fear and Faith frontman Tyler Smith, superbly showcased their slicker and sharper sound on their excellent EP "Empire".
However, proving that some things can only get better with time, the Arizonian sextet step it up a notch on their fantastic first full-length. Produced by Andrew Wade (A Day To Remember), "Deceiver" sees The Word Alive offer up ten aggressive and antagonistic tunes, which often stray from the post-hardcore genre into metalcore territory.
With its clattering of keys and gusting of guitars, album opener 'The Hounds Of Anubis' is an exciting and enlivening entrance into the record and is reminiscent of metallers The Devil Wears Prada.
Keeping up the potent pace is angst-ridden 'The Wretched', which features vicious vocals, loathsome lyrics and an incredibly catchy chorus. In the irate, but personal track Smith sings of disloyalty and deceit: "Don't try to silence my words with your lies/We wont follow the deceiver/What were you searching for when you stabbed me in the back?"
Perhaps even more personal and private is 'Like Father Like Son', the sincere song sees Smith give thanks to his dad for making him who he is today. However, whilst it might be honest and heartfelt, the tune is still tremendously heavy and throws in electronica Enter Shikari-style sections for good measure.
Equally experimental and entertaining are 'Dream Catcher', which boasts a marvellous mix of ambient indie-rock and delightfully dark metal, and significantly soft 'You're All I See', which only contains clean melodic vocals.
"Deceiver" is an immense debut record that provides punters with a squall of satisfying sounds. The Word Alive are definitely a band on the rise and with a UK tour lined up with We Came As Romans in April, it won't be long until these Arizonians are causing a commotion on British soil.