Rise to Remain: City of Vultures

One of the first things that everybody will know about this band, in case they don't already know it, is that Austin Dickinson, lead singer for this band, is Bruce Dickinson's son. In heavy metal circles, this has got to be something of a big deal. Bruce Dickinson, of course, brought Iron Maiden to a new degree of success. After two blistering releases, Dickinson and company gave us classics like Number of the Beast, Piece of Mind, Powerslave and many others. Just thinking about these albums makes me itch to get them out and listen to them over and over again. I suppose comparisons to the elder Dickinson are inevitable, but they probably aren't entirely fair. Rise to Remain is doing its own thing, not trying to copy Iron Maiden and not--Oedipus like--trying to kill off the rival, punishing, father.

Iron Maiden, you may recall, came somewhat out of the punk movement; their early work reflected something of the torn-jeans-and-leather-jackets look of the economically gloomy late 70s and gave it a metal edge. Rise to Remain should probably not be compared to Iron Maiden and, to be fair, they really aren't trying to sound like them. They are a metal band for a new generation. Significantly, though, their music falls under the label of "metalcore," a style that blends certain elements of traditional metal with punk's hardcore side. How fitting.

City of Vultures is a debut album, but much of the music has been out there for a couple of years. In fact, these guys have already been garnering a significant amount of acclaim, not a bad feat considering they haven't been around that long. Rise to Remain is a band to watch. The question is: do they deserve to be? Or is this all a bunch of heavy metal hype?

I'll answer the question like this: this is a solid album. It doesn't disappoint and it should be of interest to people who like contemporary metalcore. This last element--liking metalcore--is important, I think, because these guys hit squarely within this sound. Everything is there--the alternating vocal growls and melodies, the harder edged guitar parts, the driving mosh-worthy rhythms. The formula works and, happily, these guys give it a certain life that, honestly, it needs if it wants to stay fresh. I was especially impressed with the guitar parts on this album; most of the solos have a traditional quality to them, but they are flashy and, to my ears, are pretty great. Dickinson's vocals are strong--they have something of his father's high-pitched wail, but they stand on their own. I think these guys are a band to watch. I know I'm impressed.

Track Listing:
1. Intro
2. Serpent
3. This Day is Mine
4. City of Vultures
5. Talking in Whispers
6. God Can Bleed
7. Power Through Fear
8. Nothing Left
9. We Will Last Forever
10. Illusions
11. Roads
12. Bridges Will Burn
13. Heartless

Added: June 30th 2012
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 1735
Language: english

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