I love their self titled album and even Our Endless War has grown over me... However since then they have grown pretty boring and mellow. I tried to listen to The Valley a couple of time but nope, nothing appeals to me here... At the moment I'm simply done with them.

I'll go against the grain and admit this is probably my favorite Whitechapel release

Written by Coconut Racecar on 27.11.2019 at 14:53

I just couldn't enjoy this album, unfortunately. Their first couple were the ones that I enjoyed most, but I've never been a huge fan of them overall.

That said, I do appreciate how personal this album is to Phil. I watched a couple interviews about it, and apparently much of it is about his abusive childhood and his mother who had dementia.

Link to interview below
https://youtu.be/eUUmVFHrgD8?t=587

I think this is enough of a departure to keep things fresh without abandoning their trademark sound, but I can see how it's divisive among the fanbase. I should have done more research about the making of the album as I had no idea about the inspiration behind it or the interview you posted. I would have made a point of referencing it in the review for sure.

Written by s_t_s on 27.11.2019 at 15:40

I love their self titled album and even Our Endless War has grown over me... However since then they have grown pretty boring and mellow. I tried to listen to The Valley a couple of time but nope, nothing appeals to me here... At the moment I'm simply done with them.

That's fair. I take their slightly mellowed out approach to be more a sign of personal growth in regards to the songwriting. Like they've softened up a bit but as a result of trying to instill some emotion into their music outside of anger/hate. For me it works, but whether it does for others is incredibly subjective.

Written by RaduP on 27.11.2019 at 15:44

I'll go against the grain and admit this is probably my favorite Whitechapel release

I think I can get on board with that, or at least tied with my favorite. I've been a longtime follower but never really a fan. This album didn't quite pull me in "fan" direction but if they follow up with more in this vein I'll be more than happy.

I've always wondered how MS staff rate the albums. For me it's the rating breakdown divided by four. In this case 9+8+7+10/4 = 8,5. Still the rating is 7,5. This is not intended as criticism, I am just curious because it happened before

Great review btw. I consider myself a fan. After the self titled 2012 album (which is my favourite) and their concept debut album this is a good 3rd place. I always respect musicians who actually has something to say with their music.

Written by Troy Killjoy on 28.11.2019 at 00:47

Written by s_t_s on 27.11.2019 at 15:40

I love their self titled album and even Our Endless War has grown over me... However since then they have grown pretty boring and mellow. I tried to listen to The Valley a couple of time but nope, nothing appeals to me here... At the moment I'm simply done with them.

That's fair. I take their slightly mellowed out approach to be more a sign of personal growth in regards to the songwriting. Like they've softened up a bit but as a result of trying to instill some emotion into their music outside of anger/hate. For me it works, but whether it does for others is incredibly subjective.

Don't get me wrong, mellow is not bad yet it has to appeal to me and here it simply doesn't. I like some Slipknot albums and even some modern songs by In Flames. Hard to explain, it just goes "bing" in my head but here nothing works like that... Not the brutal parts either btw.

Written by Nejde on 28.11.2019 at 18:51

I've always wondered how MS staff rate the albums.

I can't say for others, but the 4 category ratings I consider to be more of an "objective" section of the review independent of my personal score, which is the overall rating. So no mathematical equation is involved for me, but I can see why it would confuse people.

Quote:

Great review btw. I consider myself a fan. After the self titled 2012 album (which is my favourite) and their concept debut album this is a good 3rd place. I always respect musicians who actually has something to say with their music.

Thanks

I never explored Whitechapel beyond surface listening so it took me by surprise how emotionally driven this was. Hopefully that same approach continues, but it'll be interesting to see if they develop this sound or keep churning out samey material.

Written by s_t_s on 28.11.2019 at 22:37

Don't get me wrong, mellow is not bad yet it has to appeal to me and here it simply doesn't. I like some Slipknot albums and even some modern songs by In Flames. Hard to explain, it just goes "bing" in my head but here nothing works like that... Not the brutal parts either btw.

That's fair, I would say the same applies to me for most of their discography. I was actually expecting the same from this but felt compelled to review it after enjoying it as much as I did. At least you have their back catalog to return to when the urge strikes.

Written by Troy Killjoy on 29.11.2019 at 00:46

Written by s_t_s on 28.11.2019 at 22:37

Don't get me wrong, mellow is not bad yet it has to appeal to me and here it simply doesn't. I like some Slipknot albums and even some modern songs by In Flames. Hard to explain, it just goes "bing" in my head but here nothing works like that... Not the brutal parts either btw.

That's fair, I would say the same applies to me for most of their discography. I was actually expecting the same from this but felt compelled to review it after enjoying it as much as I did. At least you have their back catalog to return to when the urge strikes.

You got my point here and I really love their self titled album, it's so full of energy ! But from the direction they have taken I shouldn't expect any return to the old formula. Too bad; need to find other bands to listen to. :p

Written by Troy Killjoy on 29.11.2019 at 00:43

Written by Nejde on 28.11.2019 at 18:51

I've always wondered how MS staff rate the albums.

I can't say for others, but the 4 category ratings I consider to be more of an "objective" section of the review independent of my personal score, which is the overall rating. So no mathematical equation is involved for me, but I can see why it would confuse people.

I accept and respect that explanation. Also people have a tendency to just look at the rating. Low rating, not worth making their own opinion. High rating, better check it out. Without a rating you actually need to read the review and then decide whether or not to listen to the album and make your own opinion of it. I think RaduP wrote something in a post about why he doesn't give ratings in his reviews. For me, I don't mind ratings even if I think they can point you in the right direction. At the end of the day the only thing that matters is what you think. I couldn't care less what other people think, if I like I listen to it

Quote:

I never explored Whitechapel beyond surface listening so it took me by surprise how emotionally driven this was. Hopefully that same approach continues, but it'll be interesting to see if they develop this sound or keep churning out samey material.

They've come pretty far since The Somatic Defilement. To go from a concept album based on Jack the Ripper, in which all of the songs are first-person narratives of the slaughter and rape of prostitutes (the lyrics are quite disturbing) to make a highly personal album which is disturbing in a completely different way shows how much they've matured. So hopefully they keep evolving.