Silencing The Critics
For too long Seattle's Aiden have been a band judged predominantly on their appearance rather than their music. Draped in black attire and plastered in more make-up than Manson and Twisted Sister combined, they have been unfairly dismissed as mere pretenders to the emo come punk throne, viewed as grasping in the shadows for fans of My Chemical Romance or Him to throw them some scraps and having to defend themselves continually as a band in their own right. But all that is about to change. For those who had taken the time to listen to Aiden or more importantly catch one of their electrically raw jaw dropping live shows the time has come to sit back and gloat as the haters have to do the thing they have dreaded from day one, swallow their words and perhaps even admit that Aiden are a band to get excited about with 'Conviction' set to propel them even further than the Seattle friends could ever have dreamed.
Coated in truthfulness and integrity, 'Conviction' is Aiden purging their demons and bearing their hearts for all to witness. Swapping their screaming and aggressive darkness for infectious melodies and grandiose choruses, 'Conviction' sees Aiden bursting with a new optimism and hope whilst still capturing the dramatic energy that makes them so intoxicatingly captivating. From the sedate and understated opening of 'The Opening Departure' it is clear that Aiden have matured, their sound has grown to the point that they can no longer be a band to be overlooked and dismissed out of hand. 'Teenage Queen' injects the first stab of irresistible beats and hooks as a chugging riff propels wiL Francis into a pop fuelled sing along chorus that should come with its own health warning. Indeed Aiden don't seem content on this album to simply let you sit back and listen with the likes of 'One Love' and 'Moment' determined to have you singing and dancing like a fool regardless of the heartfelt honesty oozing from the lyrics. But that's not all. Conviction also finds Aiden reaching for the rock epic status; 'Hurt Me' erupts into a chant induced finale before quietly making its exit with the simplicity of Francis' vocals whilst 'Darkness' brandishes a riff and guitar solo that are begging to fill a stadium sized stage, basking in a wave of lighters held glowing in the air.
From the gentle calm of Francis' voice backed with an unpretentious piano to the contagious and infectiousness that seems packed into every track, 'Conviction' has it all, topped superbly with an honestly and sincerity that only adds to the albums appeal. Although Aiden have moved away significantly from the goth rock stamp that was stapled to them from the start, there is still enough darkness and sinicism lurking beneath to satisfy old fans and new alike. 'Bliss' is an openly raw tale of a friend's mother who worked as a prostitute that beautifully wraps classic Aiden darkness around snaring beats and a chorus that will infect whilst 'Son Of Lies' still captures the stark crude aggression of Aiden only with the added bonus of a melody to insure that you are addicted from the first beat to the very last.
As addictive as the drugs wiL Francis sings about, 'Conviction' depicts a band coming of age. Drenched in unflinching honesty and openness, 'Conviction' shies away from no subject as it unapologetically unleashes irresistible beats, urgent riffs and intoxicating energy. For those who have worshipped at the alter of the Seattle band from the start "I told you so" is a phrase you'll probably be using a lot from now on. For everyone else, its time to back peddle and quickly.