Far From the Beginning, These Guys Know How to Rock!

With their ground-breaking, bulletproof release in 2009, Welcome to the Masquerade, hard rock/nu metal quartet Thousand Foot Krutch seemed unstoppable. They soon after released a fan edition of Masquerade which featured three previously unrealeased tracks, gaining even more firepower. However, in a very head-scratching move, the band decided to break free from their record label and set themselves as an independent, fan-fueled group. On hearing this, I was questioning whether or not they would have the power to pull out another solidly dynamite album. And in fact, they most certainly did not create a solid album...they created a RAWKFIST-solid album! I will go through the songs one-by-one in order to give people a better feel for the album.

• The album begins with an ominous, eery intro with a computerized voice exclaiming over a chorus and pounding drums, "If you don't stand for something, why fall for everything? The end is where we begin." It begins picking up, crescendoing into the next song, "We Are".
• Right off the bat, "We Are" blew me away with a very new addition to the signature TFK sound: COW BELL! The riffage at the beginning of the song is soon joined by what is known as the coolest instrument known to man, even if you aren't really that interested in country music...but this is FAR from country music. More of a declaration to the world, "We Are" sets the tempo for the rest of this album as a statement of faith, saying "WE CAN BE A CHANGE."
• Nothing about "Light Up the Sky" is turned down--whatsoever. This song could easily be a theme song for UFC or Wrestlemania, seeming almost like a pre-fight song as Trevor raps, "Gloves off/ fight night/ Boom comes the hurricane/...Watch me light up the sky". This song along with a couple others on this album are very echoing of songs like "Rawkfist", "Move", and "Fire it Up", off their previous albums. However, there is something very different about these...they are bolder...edgier...gritter.
• The title track is up next, a powerful, in-your-face rocker about how us as Christians need to change away from the world, even if it means some hurt and uncomfort. This song is one of the more faith-based jams on the album, although many of the tracks do mention some type of faith-based comment. All in all, a VERY uplifting and thought-provoking anthem.
• As I said before, there are many songs on this disc that are loud, in-your-face rockers sure to be on a sports show. "Let the Sparks Fly" is DEFINITELY one of those. Lead singer Trevor McNevan turns his vocals onto a more aggressive, gritty side, screaming and yelling for about half the song. This song is sure to keep adrenaline pumping through people's veins each time they listen to this release.
• From here, an older version of TFK emerges on the song "I Get Wicked," as Trevor goes back to his old days of rapping while still holding a bold, spicy hard rock flavor. This song is sure to get old fans of TFK excited as it feels like Trevor is going back to Set it Off.
• The album finally takes a breather, going to their first ballad, "Be Somebody," which talks about how being in touch with Christ shows people their true self, though some are afraid to see that side of themselves. This song is very radio-friendly and is sure to be one of their singles in the near future. If you listen closely, you may be able to hear distant rumbles of songs off of The Flame in All of Us, such as "Favorite Disease" or "Learn to Breathe", but this song, I believe, has more depth to it.
• "Courtesy Call", which is introduced by "This is a Warning", at first may make you think you are listening to the wrong band, as Trevor's voice is auto-tuned and almost sounding clubby. However, he finally belts out a "Hey!" which sets the TFK sound back into the song. This is one of my favorite songs on the album partly because of the unique sound displayed here. They almost divert to a gothic chorus a couple times which is something NEVER attempted in TFK music before.
• "War of Change" is an undeniably earth-shaking anthem exclaiming to the world, "Wait/It's just about to break/It's more than I can take/Everything's about to change." This song describes the ongoing battle of choices in our society. We have the choice to listen to uplifting music, yet sometimes we listen to Lil' Wayne or Kesha. We have the choice to love, yet we choose to hate. This is an anthem screaming to choose what is right and pure.
• "Down" is probably the most aggressive song on the album, but is also very interesting. Here, Trevor raps, sings, and screams about all of the people who told him that he would not be able to make a difference with his band and telling them how wrong they were. Props to Trev.
• Another breather is taken on the album with the acoustic song "All I Need to Know". I must admitt, TFK knows how to sound incredible both through screaming and riffing as well as haromonizing and singing a ballad with an acoustic guitar. Trevor sings about how so many people know so many things and memorize so many things, yet miss out on the beautiful wonders of the God of the Universe. Definitely one of the highlights of the album.
• "Fly on the Wall" brings the tempo back up a little bit, but sets the tone as more of a mid-rocker. The orchestration during the verses create a very interesting and unique listen, and upon hearing the chorus, you can't help but put your fist up in agreement. The fly is an analogy to a person who is waiting for someone to do something about the world, yet Trevor sings in the chorus that we need to let that side of us go and be the change.
• The final song, "So Far Gone", closes out the album, in slow, yet passionate and beautiful fashion. The band exits with a worship-style track exclaiming their thanks to Christ for helping them get back on their feet in the hard times, even when they found it hard to trust in Him. This could be one of the best ways I have heard a band close out their album, emotional and VERY powerful.

Overall, this is no album. This is a journey into the minds of four musical geniuses as they explore the deep and touchy subject of becoming the change in a Godless world. Well-done, TFK. VERY well-done.

My grade for this album: 97% (A)