Unbelievable| Posted October 02, 2009
Let me start by saying that this was the first hardcore album I ever bought. I am a music lover and I has always despised hardcore, but suddenly developed a curiosity about it. I decided that I was going to try it, but not put both feet in the water. “Son, I loved Your at Your Darkest” is not the heaviest album, but it was a great introduction to hardcore for myself. The guitars are very well put together as well as the vocals. The screaming takes getting used to, but after awhile you develop and understanding of the passion behind the whole thing. The clean vocals are also very passionate and well done.
The album starts with very low guitar sounds, but is kicked into gear with the screaming vocals from T.J. The song is “Thus from Your Lips, My Sin is Purged”. “I got a will, but I want yours” he screams. This is cry that screams for help. He goes on to say “I have a growing heap of crosses and burdens I’ve simply lost heart to shoulder”. The whole song is a beautiful masterpiece with so many challenging lines and catchy guitar hooks. “Oh how sweet is the sound. I know it saved, but is it changing a wretch like me?” The whole song is screaming for a divine change that only comes from Jesus Christ.
“Love Jealous One, Love” is an unbelievable song. It speaks of us as men trying to hold ourselves above one another. “This is me at my darkest, looking down from my tower to heaven”. It speaks of how many of us try to build our way to heaven. It also says that instead we must wear compassion as Jesus did. This is a reference in the Bible when the disciples asked Jesus which of them was greater. He told them to be like a child if they wished to enter the kingdom of heaven thus, having the compassion and the innocence of a child.
“Incomplete Is a Leech” is an extraordinary look at sin. It speaks of how sing feeds upon our bodies like bloodsuckers and how in sucks everything of worth from us. The end is a cry for change much like the first track, but different. “Part my ribs like the sea and change me”. The last few lines are a baffling experience to listen to. The lyrics are so well written and mysterious. “Cause stone doesn't beat
and rock hearts don't pump anything. But I've grown not to mind because at least stone doesn't sling like blood. Or spill like guts across the floor. Where the bloodsuckers want more and more and more. It refers to stone being innocent and free from pain unlike us. It’s a great track.
“Bloodsuckers Pt 2” There is more clean vocals to this song which adds to its uniqueness. It speaks of turning everyone inside out and making them all the same. It speaks of the machine which refers to the world. “No one wins against the machine, so get back in line.” It sings of letting the world win. It is a challenging track.
“Terrible! How Terrible for the Great City!” This song is one of my favorites. The message is so profound and needed to be said. “Forgive me darling, but love has nothing to do with this, it has nothing to do with why I can’t stop, until I get what I want from you.” It speaks of how men become slaves to lust and use woman as toys. “How long will we blame the devils on our shoulders?” That is a great question that can only be answered by the individual listening.
“The Widow” A very sad, but poetic and beautiful tune. It is about a father who becomes a slave to his desire for drugs. He leaves his family behind because he is addicted to it and has put it before his family. It is sung in the perspective of one of his sons. He sings of all his father has done, but in the end forgives his father as God forgives us. “My God, what a world you love. Men bury their sons, and without thought, just walk away.” What a world he loves indeed.
“Wake Dead Man, Wake!” This song’s main focus is truly hard to capture and somewhat hard to find as well. Its main focus though, is love. It speaks of loving no matter what happens. This is much like God’s love for us. “Will you still love me in famine, as when love began at the harvest, or would you gain the whole world. Son, I love you at your darkest” It is a very loud and passionate song with the final words screaming “What is love without trust?” It really finishes strong and brings out a lot of questions about love.
“Admission: Regret” Has sort of an awkward beat, but is a very good track. It is one of the heavier songs on the album musically and lyrically. It speaks of how fear keeps us out of the world and in a box. “I keep hearing there’s a whole world out there, but I’ve grown to love this bed too much to leave it” It says we are too comfortable being in a box rather than going out into the world and ultimately obeying what God commands us to do which is not to fear the enemy. The song is relatable and well written.
“One: Twenty-seven” Speaks of shame and against pride. It speaks of how God’s love is what keeps us upright and living true. It is probably my least favorite, but it is good none the less.
“Of Want and Misery: The Nothing That Kills” This is a beautifully composed love song. It is about how a lover is drifting away on things they want and desire. It in the end seems to speak of someone trying to someone from killing themselves.” I will hang my life in the space between the noose and your neck
I won't let you die just yet.” It is a great song with such passion and the singing is incredible. The lyrics speak of how it is hard to watch someone fade, but they still love them anyway. It could also just be about someone dying and it being hard for someone to let them go. This was a great ending for the album.
Over-all this album is unbelievable and very well put together. The band truly showed their abilities as well as their faith in Jesus Christ.
I loved this cd at it's darkest.| Posted August 17, 2008
I would like to start off by saying that I am no fan of most of Solid State's talent but As Cities Burn has proven to be a real exception. They provide brilliantly thoughtful lyrics with amazing tunes and guitars behind them. The lead singer can be tough to understand at times but it does little to take away from the talent of this band.
Amazing.| Posted August 14, 2008 Son, I Loved You At Your Darkest is an amazing debut album from As Cities Burn. The lyrical quality and originality were awesome, as was the overall sound of the album.
Vocalist TJ Bonnette's higher-pitched screams stab through the eerie tone of the album to deliver strong messages about the depravity of mankind and their desperate need for God's love. There is not a song on the album that disapoints.
All in all, this album is one of my favorite Christian Screamo albums I've heard to date.
Can it get any better?| Posted March 24, 2008
I am touched in some way or another every time I hear this album. From gut-reaching screams to emotional singing SILYAYD never gets boring.
Amazingly great choice!| Posted July 18, 2007
"Son I loved you at your darkest" is an incredible debut album released by As Cities Burn. Sadly the band members have changed in the new album "Come Now, Sleep".