One Year Later

The Epitome of Melodic Hardcore

     

These days, it seems as though kids will label just about any old band that plays heavy, yet somewhat melodic music as melodic hardcore. The term has been debased to the point where melodic hardcore has almost lost all meaning. As long as the band plays chugging breakdowns with melodic leads over them and has supposedly "deep" lyrics, there will be kids around to call them melodic hardcore. Let me get one thing straight. THIS is melodic hardcore. And some of the best, if not THE best, melodic hardcore out there. This album is a masterpiece from start to finish and should be considered one of the best melodic hardcore albums to date. One Year Later, produced by none other than Jay Maas of Defeater, has an incredibly raw, yet clean and clear sound to it, something that Maas has become relatively famous for. The album has an overall dark tone to it, consisting of rather depressing and dark themed lyrics that really pull on your heart strings and never let go. There is not one thing I can complain about this album. It is just absolutely perfect! The only thing I regret is not seeing them live before they broke up. Do yourself a favor and buy this album, whether it be on vinyl or digital download, although I greatly prefer vinyl.