Oh, Sleeper – Son of the Morning
Like any democratic entity, the hardcore scene has always had its leaders. Mathcore pioneers Converge and Botch are prime examples of this; bands who were silently nominated by their peers as the bands that represent them best. A lot of times, the people – or bands, in this case – are nominated because they are seen in a higher regard than their followers. So, it makes sense, that when Botch fell apart in 2002, there were plenty of bands eager to step up and take their place. Norma Jean tried to lead the second coming of mathcore, along with bands like The Chariot, who also practice Botchism. But while their forbearers were on top because their intensity was honest and original, the second wave sounded like they were trying to copy the first. (And judging from their latest album, Norma Jean has grown tired of their (second) religion and headed into a post-hardcore direction). Oh, Sleeper are cut from a very similar cloth. Botchism is practiced on a frequent basis on Son of the Morning, but unlike their attention-seeking peers, it is only a major element of their sound – not the entire 100%.
If you know anything about Oh, Sleeper, you are aware that Botchism has been a major element of their sound since their debut The Armored March EP, which means, as you can probably guess, that their sound hasn’t changed very much. Dissonant chords, heavy off-time breakdowns, and sweeping solos make up a large part of guitarists Shane Blay and James Erwin‘s repertoire. In fact, their technical skill is rather impressive – as it is for the whole band. But that other vital part of being a good band – you know, songwriting – is lacking.
It is most obvious on songs like “Sun of the Morning”, “The Finisher” and “In All Honesty” – tracks with some killer riffs – the band relies on all-too-familiar songwriting techniques; breakdowns are thrown in as transitions (that often don’t make sense) and dragged out for an obscene amount of time to fill up space. Additionally, when the band tries to write stronger progressive numbers (“Reveries of Flight”), it mostly comes off as a band trying too hard to follow in Thrice‘s footsteps.
It isn’t all bad though – when the band is on, they are on, but those good moments never last for an entire song. However, the band are consistently strong, melodically speaking, from song-to-song. Even though they sometimes sound out of place, choruses do reign supreme on a majority of the tracks, and the accompanying “emotional” bridge usually has an “epic” feeling (mainly because they are often accompanied by “soulful” sweeps). Why the quotations you ask? Because even though contextually speaking these parts feel honest, when listening with a slightly omniscient ear, you can’t help but question how “emotional” these sections really are.
Despite having enough technical prowess to take the throne, Oh, Sleeper are a band that won’t be able to fill those shoes until they learn to be themselves – which, to be fair, it seems like they are trying to do, in spots – they are going to be easy to group in with the hordes of other Botchists trying to become the new kings of the scene.
(5.8/10)
seems a bit tough for a well written and well reasoned album. Lyrically and conceptually, it is phenomenal. This is lyrical depth for Christians as well as a multifaceted prism of subjectivity for non Christians. It paints Lucifer in a sympathetic light, it creates a fucking character for him. Of course, the album does not side with him, but it certainly humanizes and complicates the simple good vs evil and sin vs virtue to be found on other Christian metal discs. It is fascinating and original for listeners who have their own beliefs. The riffs and drumming nicely complement this. It is not a great album as a whole, but it is definitely a well made one and has stirring sections.
I don't know man, the whole 'humanizing Satan" concept has been exploited since Paradise Lost came out, haha. This is hardly on par with concepts like on Giant Squid's The Ichthyologist…just brilliant.
I Think this is one of the best metalcore/mathcore releases of this year ! to me it ranks up together with architects hollow crown and august burns red constellations for the album of the year ! I can't see how the songwriting is not good… it has plenty of remindable choruses,VERY intense and emotional shouts, sick licks, riffs, breaks, breakdowns and so on… i think this is better than most of the other new stuff released this year… it just has anything a good album needs. Much better than for example Killswitch's new Album. I am a huge fan of them , but they got so fuckin generic on that new album! there was not a single surprise, whereas Oh, Sleeper had some moments where i said wow ( Reveries of Flight, the Beginning of the title track…) This is at least as good as redeemer from norma jean, which was an absolute killer. What i wanted to say is that this is better than most of the generic metalcore bands and therefore it should get a higher rating. Thanks for taking the time to read my comment Zap
dude.
while this album isn't perfect, its pretty damn good. It doesn't deserve a 5.8. More like a 7 or an 8.5.
What do you mean the breakdowns often don't make sense? Their transitions are close to perfect, but apparently they have to "make sense" and sound like every other friggin hardcore band out there to be good.
Their songwriting is lacking? I'm sorry, they're seriously using some pretty good chord progressions. And that requires good songwriting. Let's not even talk about their extremely well thought out lyrics that put Norma Jean and The Chariot both to shame. The ttheological depth they have managed to fuse into their lyrics is alone worth giving them a higher rating.
And yes they're technical prowess is beast.
I will admit that the lyrics are strong – something I regrettably did not notice when reviewing this disc – but here is my argument with you…
The breakdowns not making sense all the time is what makes Oh Sleeper a lot like other metalcore bands; throwing in breakdowns for the sake of breakdowns. And using good chord progressions doesn't solve songwriting issues. There are tech bands that use cool chord progressions a lot, but it doesn't take away from the fact that they are just meedling around half the time. Yes, Oh Sleeper are better than both Norma Jean and The Chariot (by miles), and I really liked their debut EP and a portion of When I Am God, but this record is full of songs that feel like mishmashes of passages, which to me, does not indicate good songwriting.
I appreciate the comment though, you did bring up some valid points.
This review is bullshit. Music changes with the times. Kiss more Botch ass, please.
Lol, I don't know about him, but they sure do.
there breakdowns fit in perfect with their songs a lot, and not every song has a breakdown like every other generic song, the breakdowns have meaning with meaninful lyrics behind them… with ” i’ll cut off your horns” jesus, such an amazing part.. not like every other band just saying.. OH!