Inhale Exhale

I did it, folks. I let the hype get to me and now there’s no going back. Before I popped this CD into my player, I read a couple online reviews, one of which promising that I Swear… was a revitalization of metalcore. Lies, all lies! Before you read any further, let me tell you straightaway: fans of great metalcore and those looking for a favorable argument that the genre hasn’t completely gone to the dogs will be more depressed after listening to this album than if you had to take a shotgun to Ol’ Yeller yourself.

That’s not to suggest there aren’t a couple “so-so” tracks here and there. It’s not a complete waste of carbon, but make no mistake—I Swear… sounds like every other boy band-gone-hardcore since Underoath decided to reinvent their exits or write on the walls. Lyrically, the words tend to bounce off of the noggin and into oblivion. Suffice it to say they’re angry about something—which is, of course, why they’re screaming. What’s the matter then? Your guess is as good as mine, although “greed,” “lies,” and being “born to die” come up a few times. Very hardcore.

But what of the highlights I mentioned? “Fluvanna” is a decent mixture of southern metal and (surprise, surprise) distorted atmospherics, although it wears out its memorable guitar line with such force this reviewer had to skip the last minute or so because of sheer repetition. “It’s Myself Versus Being a Man” sports a strong vocal hook—problem is, it’s delivery comes off whinier than necessary and the My Chemical Romance comparisons push it into the realm of derivative off-shoot rather than creative response to the popular band’s influence.

In Inhale Exhale’s defense, they’re not the only band who sound like this—don’t take it as an attack, only an observation that they’ve done nothing to quell the lazy onslaught of half-ideas and baby screams being birthed out of the metalcore scene. The revolution promised in one review I read? Nowhere to be found. If you like your metal loud, but heartless: you’ll get a kick out of this album. There’s no denying that metal, which used to be untouchable by the mainstream, has been corrupted by a ”formula=cashflow” philosophy and is just about as poignant/exhilarating/rebellious as Hannah Montana or Paris Hilton’s solo album.

For metalcore bands that walk the line between “scene filler” and “accessible talent,” check out The Devil Wears Prada’s Plagues or Oh Sleeper’s When I Am God or As Cities Burn’s Son I Loved You at Your Darkest. Those guys know how to meld genre standards with their own unique brand of songwriting. Either way, don’t expect much from Inhale Exhale right now. One day they might have something to say; right now, they’re just going through the motions and hoping no one notices.

Tagged as: I Swear, Inhale Exhale

↓ One comment

#1 fusse on November 13th, 2008 at 4:57 pm

Whoa man. I have to disagree with you. I agree it’s not groundbreaking but way better than just generic blah. I wonder what you would have thought about it if you hadn’t read the other reviews first and listened to it with those in mind. Deserves 7/10 at least

Does it Resonate with you?

Name (required)

Email (will not be published) (required)

URL