New beginnings, they can be both exciting and terrifying. Take for instance the last two years in the life of the Indianapolis based band Haste the Day. Since forming in early 2001, the band has maintained the same 5 members, both brothers and friends, and have toured all over North America and Europe as both headliners and direct support for bands like Bleeding Through and From First To Last among others. In late 2005 long time vocalist Jimmy Ryan announced he was leaving the band to focus on his new marriage. History tells us that regardless of who writes the band’s material, the vocalist is always the face and the first impression to the outside world. It isn’t often a band can successfully triumph over a vocalist exit but Haste the Day never considered giving up. “I had no doubt we’d continue,” states guitarist Jason Barnes now a year past Ryan’s exit. “When he told us, we wondered who we would replace him with but there was never any consideration to stop.” The band's third full-length album (and first without Jimmy Ryan, now fronting TRENCHES) has gone on to out-sell both previous records with over 65,000 scans. The band, featuring vocalist Stephen Keech, bassist Mike Murphy, rhythm guitarist Brennan Chaulk and his brother, drummer Devin Chaulk have given us the absolute strongest Haste the Day album yet. They have set themselves up for a triumphant arrival in Dreamer.
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BRUTAL EFFORT FROM METAL ACT| Posted November 24, 2008
Those familiar with the metalcore of the Indianapolis act Haste the Day will find much of the same on the band’s latest release, Dreamer. Then again, why mess with a good thing? After all, the band continues to chart well with each subsequent release, carrying a significant following among hardcore fans.
Dreamer grates from the start with simplistic but searing riffs on “68” from Brennan Chaulk and newer vocalist Stephen Keech’s deep, guttural growls. And the brutality stops for no man with successive tunes like “Mad Man” and “Haunting” continuing the trend that “68” starts.
There are echoes of melody here and there, with the chorus of “Mad Man” featuring a layered vocal harmony before Keech reverts back to form. Still, the majority of the release features metalcore staples that Haste the Day has long since proven to have nailed down. It does seem like Brennan Chaulk and bassist Michael Murphy have turned up the intensity on this one, giving it a different feeling than Pressure the Hinges. But rest assured that it’s still your favorite metal act at work.
Dreamer might signify a band turning a corner toward an even heavier sound, but if so, it’s not enough for some to notice. The band members know their ground and are willing to stand on it while toying a bit to keep things interesting. –Matt Conner
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
Dreamer| Posted November 18, 2008
Every now and then an album comes along that is so surprisingly addictive you just don't know what to do. That moment came for me with Dreamer from Haste the Day. I really wasn't expecting much since I didn't own any of their earlier work, mainly because it didn't strike me as unique enough to stand out. Yet here I was taking a chance on a new album thanks to the good word of mouth I'd heard from a few friends heavily into this sort of metalcore music. Obviously my lack of knowledge of this band's back catalogue and how they've changed (though I am aware of the vocalist change prior to Pressure the Hinges) makes my perspective a bit different from older Haste the Day fans, but I do know what I consider to be key parts to make a great album and Dreamer has all of those things.
The songs on this album can be summed up with a few words: 'epic', 'anthemic', 'uplifting', and of course, 'brutal'. Those are good building blocks to start with and depending on what you look for in an album you may already be intrigued. The vocalist, Stephen Keech, has a low guttural growl of a scream that immediately stands out and from what I've heard he's much improved. So much so that a few fans I know didn't even believe it was the same guy. Rest assured, his intensity is well heard on the opening track, '68', as it builds up to a fantastic breakdown and you can just imagine the energy it would create in a concert. One thing is for sure, these guys know how to do a breakdown well and make it feel just right. The drummer is also extremely talented with the quickest double bass onslaught I've ever heard. This is especially apparent in 'Mad Man' where my jaw literally dropped as my brain frantically struggled to comprehend what it was hearing. The guitar riffs are just as amazing during the heavy tracks as the chords are during the slower songs as well.
Technical ability is all well and good but the question always is: 'Does it fit the song?' In this case it certainly does and all of it builds up wonderfully with, perhaps my favorite part about this CD, the vocal harmonies and singing. I wasn't really expecting the epic choruses as the band harmonizes in a way few bands do. It's really hard to explain just how good it is and with every spin of this album I realize that those very harmonies are a key reason why Dreamer is so uplifting for a heavy album. Practically every song has a catchy, anthemic chorus that is nigh impossible to resist singing along with. No doubt I've looked like a fool in my car as I've sung along horribly. 'An Adult Tree' is the song that epitomizes all of this and it's easily my favorite on the album. It starts off with some calm singing before the screaming kicks in and the song constantly builds through the chorus with the band singing 'oooh' in the background behind more brilliant singing. By the end you'll be left wondering how a song can build and peak so perfectly.
This is what Haste the Day have done so well on this album. They've put guttural screaming, beautiful harmonies, brutal drumming, and sweeping guitars in a big smelting pot to craft an epic album with just the right touch of everything. Even the tracks are placed with a strong flow in mind and when you get to the etheral 'Labyrinth', which wouldn't feel out of place on some progressive rock masterpiece, it doesn't lose a step. The last track, one from the old days from what I understand, is a melancholic one with Stephen's voice soaring and adding the final touch to a fantastic album. Regardless of how others may feel about Dreamer, I know it's one of the best of the year and surpasses other heavy hitters in this genre.
Gems of this album are: 'An Adult Tree', 'Resolve', '68', 'Invoke Reform'
4.5/5| Posted April 14, 2011
Be careful when listening to Haste The Day's Dreamer as you may suddenly find yourself addicted to everything it has to offer. This album from the now former band really marks their turn towards the heavy side as everything feels more intense, musically and lyrically. The lyrics seem to deal heavily with the end times as some lyrics seem to directly reference passages out of Revelation. Musically, everything blends together nicely. The guitar and drum parts all synchronize well with the excellent vocals. This is a must have for metal fans.
This Dream is not a Nightmare| Posted May 15, 2009
I've been a huge fan of Haste the Day since "Burning Bridges" came out. I was relieved that they kept their sound when Jimmy Ryan left and they released "Pressure the Hinges". And I was very happy to hear that they not only kept their sound, but improved it with "Dreamer".
The first track "68" is about the self destructiveness of sin. "I am my own disease" is a phrase repeated throughout the song and the general theme is echoed throughout the album.
"Mad Man" is one of the leading songs on the album. It's also the subject of Haste the Day's latest music video.
"Haunting" is one of my favorite songs on the album. It kind of reminds me of Underoath. Listen to it and you'll see.
"Resolve" is uptempo and one of the most overtly Christian songs on this CD. "Our lives hang on the words you have spoken and we wait for our God to return. Lift your hands to the Heavens. Let your heart be encased in flames". A lot of parents are hesitant to let their kids listen to screamo because of how hard it is to understand. I've found that when you read the lyrics and listen to the song you can understand it fine, and yes that's really what they're saying. If you're having a hard time convincing your parents, this would be a good song (a good album in fact) to show them the lyrics of.
"An Adult Tree" continues the metalcore assault of your eardrums, but it has a couple of soft parts in it too. These create the interesting dynamics that is a staple of Haste the Day. It keeps it from ever becoming boring. And I've got to give them major kudos for the cool guitar solo in this song!
As I'm listening to the album again for writing this review, I realized that I like this CD better every time I hear it. There's really not a weak song on here. And "Babylon" is no exception.
It's lyrics have an apocalyptic theme and an unsettling guitar part to match. The queasy vibrato and dark metal riffs set the right mood for the song.
"Invoke Reform" is yet another good song that keeps the momentum going. And if you're a fan of "shred" guitar, this is one you should enjoy.
"Sons of the Fallen Nation" deal with the struggle we all have with sin and God's willingness to forgive (more good lyrics to show your parents). It sounds similar to "When Everything Falls".
"Labyrinth" slows the pace down with it's eerie melody and droning guitar. I hope that Haste the Day writes more songs like this in the future, it's really cool.
"Porcelain" picks up the pace again as it builds out of "Labyrinth". The lyrics really sum up the theme of the entire album as it's about the fall and subsequent redemption of man kind by God.
"Autumn" was a surprise ending to be sure.
I don't know if I can think of another metal album that ended with an acoustic guitar song, and I've listen to quite a few. It's rare for a metal band to be able to pull off a song that features only vocals and a guitar. And it's even rarer for the vocalist to have a good voice when the heavy distortion and drums are stripped away. But, as someone is heard saying it the end of the song "I think you nailed it!"
In fact, the whole album "nailed it". This is not an album where you'd be better off downloading just a few songs from, it's worth buying the whole thing. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to Haste the Day, this album is for you. This has been my favorite album so far from one of my favorite bands. Hopefully they'll have more good stuff coming our way in the future!
For fans of August Burns Red, Disciple, Destroy the Runner, Decyfer Down, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, Norma Jean, The Showdown, Spoken, Staple, War of Ages and most of all Underoath.
Crazy Amazing!| Posted March 13, 2009
This cd is far beyond great.
it's not one for the wimps, because hey, its metal.
The best song on here is the adult tree.
Throughout the entire cd the vocals and guitars surpass greatness.
its a keeper! =D
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