AlbumsNovember 29, 201110,070 views

It Prevails The Inspiration


The Inspiration
01. Explanation: Content 02. Distance 03. Change Today 04. Thirst for a Better End 05. My Life Back 06. To Fail... 07. Anomaly 08. Man. Moment. Machine. 09. At Least Understand 10. The Inspiration
2007 Rise Records
Our score 5

by Cory
5/29/2007

On their debut record, Portland, Oregon metalcore act It Prevails very prominently display the one thing that they seem to be particularly good at: melodic leads. It's not particularly flashy or technical, but these riffs stand out in much the same way that Shai Hulud riffs used to. In fact, It Prevails seem to take quite a few of their cues from that band and it's definitely not a bad thing. Ian Fike's intense vocals might not really vary, but they also never falter. Dynamic tempo changes keep songs from becoming repetitive and those great guitar leads kept me listening. While a lot of the songs didn't offer a lot of depth on repeat listens, this is a debut that shows a certain amount of promise and isn't a bad listen in the meantime. Thanks to the slick production that seems to be synonymous with the name Rise Records, these songs end up sounding a little bit better than perhaps they rightfully should. A lot of the song structures and rhythm patterns are too simplistic for the band's good. In fact, the only thing about The Inspiration that seems particularly inspired is the guitar work. Danny Harbold and Brian Blade haven't done anything monumental by any means, but after only a few listens, I was already anticipating certain memorable riffs in most of the disc's eight songs. The two brief interludes are relative throwaways, but they don't really hurt the album's pacing or flow. Bottom Line: It's nice to hear a debut album from a young metalcore act that shows significant room for growth and an appreciation for one of my favorite eras of the genre. I can't get too excited about a record that relies so heavily on competence over substance, but I also can't fault the band too much for playing it safe this time around. It Prevails employ simple song structures and effective guitar lines on their debut album and I can only hope they'll build upon their established sound to create something great in the years to come.

32 comments

Post Comment
n1gger_ 5/29/2007 9:10:01 PM

YOU CAN SUCK MY SHIT, CORY....oh wait, good review.

Mike_ 5/29/2007 9:20:15 PM

I like this album, it reminds me of Shai Hulud if they could actually write songs.

the_Operative_ 5/29/2007 10:22:11 PM

I'm kinda confused. the review is all pretty positive for such a lower-numbered score.

the kid_ 5/29/2007 10:25:07 PM

typical gay review from cory

anonymous 5/29/2007 10:49:16 PM

maybe a 6/10

surfjam_ 5/30/2007 12:43:09 AM

5/10 score, 6 or 7/10 review. what gives?

lloydbanksgunit_ 5/30/2007 2:53:42 AM

this band isn't metalcore...whats "metal" about them? but anyways this is a pretty good cd, i listen to it a lot. repetitive yet very fun to listen to.

yourcityliesindust_ 5/30/2007 3:27:20 AM

I like this record, it reminds me a little bit of Love Is Red.

joe_ 5/30/2007 10:16:59 AM

good cd.

xpoopx_ 5/30/2007 1:10:15 PM

Nice dudes. Shitty label.

HB_Dad_ 5/30/2007 3:52:56 PM

What kills me on this review is not just the low score, but the fact that Cory has completely missed the most obvious comparison which is Misery Signals. In fact, this album sounds IDENTICAL to Misery Signals "Mirrors" CD from the riffs, the rhythms, right down to the vocals. This of course is a great thing since that too is a brilliant album. If you like the latest Misery Signals, go out and buy this NOW!

penguinsrock_ 5/30/2007 5:48:34 PM

It doesn't sound that close to Misery Signals. The melodies are somewhat similar in style, but MS is way heavier and more complex, and the song structures are more varied.

anonymous 5/30/2007 7:52:20 PM

not bad for for a debut, I'd go to a show

Bill_Brasky_ 5/30/2007 9:37:48 PM

Good band good album 7/10. Cory=total gay

asdfalfakjds_ 5/31/2007 3:57:53 AM

well if you ever heard shai hulud you would know that misery signals sounds just like them as well. f*cking kids.

Coley Thrash_ 5/31/2007 4:18:28 PM

Yeah dude, what the shit ass. Totally talked this album up and hit it with a 5/10. Just because it's a young band? If Shai Hulud themselves put out this album it would be rocking an 8/10 on here. Moral of the story is, It Prevails rules and even though I feel there is no negative connotation with the word "Metalcore" there are in no way Metalcore.

A K U M A _ 5/31/2007 5:04:04 PM

From what I've heard, this album sounds pretty good.

cory=fat_ 6/1/2007 5:30:01 AM

gay review. gay reviewer.

anaturaldisaster_ 6/1/2007 1:34:42 PM

Take it or leave it. Doesn't approach Misery Signals or Shai Hulud.

kyle_ 6/1/2007 5:00:27 PM

meh i enjoy

Mike_ 6/1/2007 8:10:34 PM

Shame that Misery Signals don't know how to write a coherent song, unlike It Prevails, who in one album have eclipsed all that MS ever have done and will do.

rustav3ry_ 6/2/2007 12:31:28 PM

solid dudes, good music. i do listen to this every once in a while. 7/10.

penguinsrock_ 6/2/2007 7:32:33 PM

Shame that Misery Signals don't know how to write a coherent song, unlike It Prevails, who in one album have eclipsed all that MS ever have done and will do. posted by Mike ( ) on 6/1/2007 8:10:34 PM You couldn't be more incorrect.

John_ 6/4/2007 11:34:16 AM

def not 5/10.

XgirlfriendX_ 6/5/2007 7:50:12 AM

Metalcore? ha yeah right... Does anyone think this sounds anything like as i lay dying? ...and whoever said this sounds like misery signals is a newjack and needs to go to bed... i'm pretty sure they were halfway done with the album before mirrors was even in production plus MS ripps off all the older bands like strong arm or shai hulud, etc.. and all the newjack scenester gays act like MS is doing something new? This band is like the best of all of them but catchier and easier to follow and

selfriot_ 6/5/2007 10:53:55 PM

this is a great passionate melodic hardcore band

Matt_ 6/8/2007 4:39:48 PM

if Cory says something is Metalcore it automatically gets a shitty score. he's a f*cking gay, i really cant wait until he stops posting reviews and leaves them up to people that understand music

anonymous 6/8/2007 4:42:04 PM

"well if you ever heard shai hulud you would know that misery signals sounds just like them as well. f*cking kids. posted by asdfalfakjds (fdasfa@fasdfasd.com) on 5/31/2007 3:57:53 AM" your an jerk, i grew up with Shai Hulud and they sound nothing like Misery Signals. you must suck Cory's dck

xomertax_ 6/16/2007 5:59:06 PM

Good band good album. I definitely hear the Shai Hulud influences and also I hear Love Is Red influences. I dig it

JELLYFISH_ 6/19/2007 7:41:09 PM

This CD is actually really good. There is a big difference between Shai Halud and and Misery Signals, this disk is the perfect medium, blending bolth and more. I'd lean on the Misery Signals side because of the vocals. But the guirars are bolth inspiring. In a cheap and quick review if you like Misery Signals you might really like this cd

War_Drum_ 6/21/2007 5:39:53 PM

Great album, great band. 7/10. Looking forward to hearing more.

anonymous 3/3/2012 9:36:31 AM

Every review bashes a band and says its kinda like this band that started it all. Well theres this thing called evolution.Im assuming u have one of those huge cellphones that looks like a home phone cuz thats the one that started it all and everything else sucks.