2.5 stars

The short review: I am a bit disappointed with the new direction the band is taking.

The long review: I try to be objective in my reviews, and not compare an album to previous albums, but when the music starts to change a lot around the same time a vocalist change is made, I have to bring up the past. I know this is not the first album with the new singer. I kind of let the last album slide by with a decent review, because it was somewhat strong even with the new direction the band was taking... with the new vocalist. But this album provides such a departure from the band I knew and loved, that I have to write an honest review and not let anyone slide by on the strength of previous albums. There are still elements that remind me of the old BYD - the stop/start chugga chugga from the guitars, and the angry vocals, which is one of the reasons why I didn't give this 1 star. Another reason, is that it is not a total POS. Musically, it really is not the worst slab of metal out there. I hope I am wrong, but I have the feeling that BYD is gonna go Deftones on me and start putting out albums that are 20% heavy and 80% pretty vocals over strummed chords. The vocalist seems happy to take the band in that direction. It's a damn shame because Cover and Beauty are 2 of the heaviest discs in my collection.

Dear Bury Your Dead,

Well I think we both knew we were gonna have this talk for a while, and we've both been delaying the inevitable. Things have changed so much lately and so many differences between us have now reared their ugly heads. I think it's time we both said our pieces and set the record straight.

You've just changed so much recently that I almost don't even recognize you anymore. You're not the Bury Your Dead I fell in love with. I don't even know if you know who you are anymore.

At first I tried to compromise on our differences. I even began to think something was wrong with me. After all when you enjoy someone's company you want to work out your differences and make things work. But you just kept drifting further and further away from me. It seems like the harder I tried to make the effort for you, the harder you would make it for me to do so.

I know you've been through you're own trials in the last few years. You've gone through some hard times and had a lot of changes happen. At some points I felt like it was almost expected that these things would affect you. But some of the ways they've affected you didn't have to be an issue.

I can't live a lie anymore. I've supported you through a lot, and you've been there for me when I needed you. But things just are not the same, and for once I am not getting what I need out of this relationship anymore. I don't hold any bitter feelings. After all, we both need to do what is best for us and continue on. This is what's best for me. I hope you understand.

We had a good run, and there were points where I was sure that this relationship was going to stand the test of time. But things have taken a turn for the worst and I feel like a clean break is what we both need to get ourselves together. Maybe this could work again in the future, but we're just not in the same place right now. I hope you will find someone who makes you happy and will help you continue on with your life. Right now though, that person is not me.

Sincerely,

LeftManOut

P.S - It's a shame too, because I actually dig some of the changes you made musically this time around. However this just isn't you anymore. Sorry.

The ONLY reason for the 3 stars like previous comments was for the guitars. Still solid, but sadly a little more melodic than normal for BYD. But holy crap, Mike, what the h-e-l-l is with your vocals dude? Where is Mat when you need him (looks around with the disappointment of failed results, 'ah crap, looks like we must stuffer now')? Wow BYD, this album is just not cutting it anymore, you've changed like a 12 or 13 year old hitting puberty really fast. The only difference is the change was not of a good nature. I'm not at all against clean vocals (I actually think clean vocals make an awesome addition in metal, especially Melodic Death Metal), but this band doesn't fit well with them if the correct music played. The ONLY song I liked was "Without You" but because of how well the guitar sounded. I think the only reason they changed was to fit Mike's clean vocal style. But if you want real BYD sound, listen to anything with Mat Bruso's vocals. I would recommend people NOT buy this album. This is not real BYD, this is some synthetic and pathetic attempt at making their music into something we all know it isn't. If it weren't for Bruso coming back and BYD making "Mosh-N-Roll," I think we would have seen the musical end to BYD. I strongly believe Mat's comeback has been the sole resurrection for them. Mat, you are BYD's savior!!! As for Mike, I hope you find a band whose signature sound fits your voice, good luck bud!!

So if you are a hardcore Bury Your Dead fan, this is the worst album they have released by far... all of the harmonizing that they try and attempt in this album is awful. I loved Bury Your Dead until this... this is just utter disappointment... What happened to the Beauty and Beatdown hardcore style? These guys went from one of my top favorite bands to nearing the bottom of my list after this album... Don't get me wrong the music is still great, but the vocals are no longer hardcore, they are not very harmonizing either, actually when he trys to sing it reminds me of a sick Corey Taylor, because we all know Corey Taylor can sing his ass off, but Mike Terry really blew it for the entire band on this one... plus honestly all of the songs sound the same... what a horrible album, and a huge disappointment...

Back in 2004 when cover your tracks was released this band had as much potential as anybody then beauty and the breakdown was released not the same as tracks but still very heavy, it was Bury your dead! you can tell they had a distinct sound and bruso's vocals made you aware of this band after his departure the band went south and now they have just fallen into the same world as the killswitch's and all those other bands that were once worthy of going out and seeing and moshing too now they just write songs for 15 year old girls!, sappy love songs with some chugging and no breakdowns it's severely depressing to watch these once great bands go down that road we dont want them going like maybe one day hearing them on a twilight soundtrack because that's exactly where they are headed!