With a new label and recovered vocalist, Defeater returns with their fourth studio album. Still along the same vein of melodic hardcore and a sensability for story-telling, Abandoned comes forth as a result. This album comes off with the typical style of Defeater. However, immediately one can tell that this is a harder and more aggressive step from their last effort Letters Home, debatably being the most aggressive they have been since their earlier work. This album comes off as a solid musical refinement from Letters Home, with slightly better musicianship overall and a slight progression as a band.
Many of the members of the band see improvement on this album. The drums at many times are crushing and at times really shine on this album. As well, the guitars showcase excellent riffs, progressions and eerie melodies. Songs such as “unanswered” and “atonement” show good spectrum of the talent this band has, a bifurcating color scheme to the bands talents as musicians. As well, vocalist Derek Archambault has another solid performance on this album. In most ways this is a very tight and well put together album. Yet, this album can’t escape the feeling of simply being Letters Home Pt. 2. This album follows an extremely similar style and feel, leading one to believe that this album is just a continuation of the path they have been along now. The opening guitar from the album is exactly the same as the end of Letters Home even.
Following along the same exact lyrical themes, this album is once again, telling the story of a war torn man. Albeit this time, he is a god believing man. This concept follows along with the stories Defeater has written for five years now. It combines the same themes of war, loss, alcoholism, lost love and godlessness as every work before. This gives this album an almost unrecognizable quality. It soon becomes just a stitching of all their work from before, after only a few listens. For this reason, this album loses much of its kick and just feels like it’s a repetition of everything. With no new ideas, it makes the album flat and it loses its appeal. It makes me wonder how much one man can write about cigarettes, blood in veins and booze. I wonder at this point if Archambault is even trying anymore.
Ultimately it comes to be a lyrically boring effort for a story we have all heard before. For every good musical quality, there is one you have heard before from the band. Abandoned comes off as an enjoyable album to listen to, but nothing more. The originality and freshness found in Travels, has fully worn off and we are left with an above average hardcore band, making an above average release. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to listen to Lost Ground.
Many of the members of the band see improvement on this album. The drums at many times are crushing and at times really shine on this album. As well, the guitars showcase excellent riffs, progressions and eerie melodies. Songs such as “unanswered” and “atonement” show good spectrum of the talent this band has, a bifurcating color scheme to the bands talents as musicians. As well, vocalist Derek Archambault has another solid performance on this album. In most ways this is a very tight and well put together album. Yet, this album can’t escape the feeling of simply being Letters Home Pt. 2. This album follows an extremely similar style and feel, leading one to believe that this album is just a continuation of the path they have been along now. The opening guitar from the album is exactly the same as the end of Letters Home even.
Following along the same exact lyrical themes, this album is once again, telling the story of a war torn man. Albeit this time, he is a god believing man. This concept follows along with the stories Defeater has written for five years now. It combines the same themes of war, loss, alcoholism, lost love and godlessness as every work before. This gives this album an almost unrecognizable quality. It soon becomes just a stitching of all their work from before, after only a few listens. For this reason, this album loses much of its kick and just feels like it’s a repetition of everything. With no new ideas, it makes the album flat and it loses its appeal. It makes me wonder how much one man can write about cigarettes, blood in veins and booze. I wonder at this point if Archambault is even trying anymore.
Ultimately it comes to be a lyrically boring effort for a story we have all heard before. For every good musical quality, there is one you have heard before from the band. Abandoned comes off as an enjoyable album to listen to, but nothing more. The originality and freshness found in Travels, has fully worn off and we are left with an above average hardcore band, making an above average release. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to listen to Lost Ground.