Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review




The Chariot
The Fiancée



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 10 tracks: 29 minutes, 36 seconds
Street Date: April 3, 2007


Ask any metalcore fan what they think of when you mention The Chariot, and typically two thoughts will dominate- first, really short songs- and second, incredibly heavy songs. Since making a ruckus with 2004's ridiculously long-titled Everything Is Alive, Everything Is Breathing, Nothing Is Dead, Nothing Is Bleeding, the band has obviously gone to great lengths to differentiate themselves from all eighteen thousand other groups of similar sound and intensity. Depending on your perspective, they may have succeeded with The Fiancée.

The instant the opening track "Back to Back" hits, the assault begins. Josh Scogin's growl blends neatly in the folds of grinding bass and guitar with such an intense amount of distortion it seems like the sound itself has come out of the amplifiers and been thrashed in midair by a wet noodle covered in gravel. The songs are short- I mean really, really short- most barely clocking over 2 minutes apiece. The entire album lasts less than half an hour, but for that span you'll mostly feel like you're being punched in the face- so perhaps the brevity isn't a bad thing.

Even some fans of such heavy music have difficulty listening to The Chariot due to the random chaotic nature of their songwriting. Verse, chorus, bridge… all semblance of conventional songwriting is disregarded in favor of intensity. It's hard to tell if aside from reduced feedback their sound has been polished at all. Producer Matt Goldman once again does a great job of separating the elements, but the music is so raw and rampant by nature that people unfamiliar with the genre will hear incohesive noise.

All is not force and clamor, though. Paramore's Hayley Williams delivers guest vocals during the epic latter half of "Then Came To Kill" (a remake of prior Chariot track "Kenny Gibler"). An unexpected guest harmonica played by Aaron Weiss of mewithoutYou graces "Forgive Me Nashville," followed by the final moments of the album- when everything stops except the Sacred Harp Singers belting out with the abandon of a true gospel choir: "The chariot! The chariot! Its wheels roll in fire, as the Lord cometh down in the pomp of his ire!"

Left the solitary original member of The Chariot- former Norma Jean frontman Josh Scogin's trust and faith in God ring captivatingly in every lyric he gnashes out. Once you figure out what he's saying, there's an appreciation for the unashamed declarations of God's might and man's awe of Him. Musically brutal, lyrically worshipful, and fleeting in length- The Chariot is back basically doing what they do best.

- Review date: 4/17/07, written by David Goodman




(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

CD

Buy This CD Online


. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: Solid State Records
. Album length: 10 tracks: 29 minutes, 36 seconds
. Street Date: April 3, 2007
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Back To Back
  2. They Faced Each Other
  3. They Drew Their Swords
  4. And Shot Each Other
  5. The Deaf Policeman
  6. Heard This Noise
  7. Then Came To Kill
  8. The Two Dead Boys
  9. Forgive Me Nashville
  10. The Trumpet
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, November 19, 2024
SINGLES
Mat Kearney Certainty - Single (independent)

This Wednesday, November 20, 2024
ALBUMS
1K Phew Let Go Let God: The EP [Reach]

SINGLES
Drew & Ellie Holcomb High Seas - Single [Magnolia]
Sleeping At Last Let It Snow - Single (independent)

This Thursday, November 21, 2024
ALBUMS
The Choir Translucent (independent)

SINGLES
Wilder Woods Curioso [Dualtone]

This Friday, November 22, 2024
ALBUMS
Coqui I'll Still Have Christmas Day - EP [DREAM]
for KING & COUNTRY A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE) [Curb]
Hope Through Grace John 20 EP [Southwest Hardcore]
The Kingsmen Decades: Vol. 3 & 4 [Horizon]
Kresher The Adventures of Sylas Spin EP (independent)
Jonathan McReynolds Red & Green - EP [Capitol CMG/Motown]
mewithoutYou Live (Vol. One) (independent)
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
nobigdyl. nobigdyl. Unplugged, Vol. 1 [indie tribe]
Josiah Queen The Prodigal (Deluxe Edition) (independent)
R.kitect Vicious Circles - EP (independent)
Run51 Let's Celebrate - EP [DREAM]
Since The Death His Heart Hates - EP [The Charon Collective]
Van Zant Always Look Up [Frontiers Music]
Various Artists Sunshine Acres Benefit Compilation, Vol. 1 [Thumper Punk Records]
Various Artists Sunshine Acres Benefit Compilation, Vol. 2 [Thumper Punk Records]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down I Speak Jesus - Single [BEC]
99 APEX Find A Way Freestyle - Single [Syntax]
Cory Asbury You're Still The One - Single [BEC]
Ashes Remain Lost Light - Single [BEC]
Paul Baloche Angels We Have Heard On High/Glorious (feat. Sarah Kroger) - Single [Integrity]
Paul Demer Let All Things Now Living - Single (independent)
Elan Brio Sun Rays - Single (independent)
ELEVATION RHYTHM At the Altar (Acoustic) - Single [Elevation]
Happy Powers Garden Song - Single (independent)
Sam Hauge Fame You Can Buy - Single (independent)
Hollyn & Weathrman Trees - Single (independent)
Amy Jay And So It Goes - Single (independent)
Jericko Holy Ground - Single [Syntax]
Reece Lache' Energy - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Presha - Single [Syntax]
Memphis May Fire Shapeshifter - Single [Rise Records]
MŌRIAH Winter Wonderland - Single (independent)
The Myriad Time - Single (independent)
Cliff & Antoinette Murray O Emanuel - Single [DREAM]
Katy Nichole When I Fall - Single [Centricity]
Makenzie Phipps O Holy Night - Single (independent)
Procyse, Dave A. You’re Not Free - Single [Polished Arrow]
Ravenhill The Shakes - Single [Honey Gold Records]
River Valley Worship This is Our Jesus (feat. Moriah Christian) - Single [BEC]
Scapegoat Solace (feat. MajesticGhost) - Single (independent)
Seph Schlueter Stay (Gonna Be Okay) - Single [Provident]
Jordan Smith How Great Thou Art - Single [Gaither]
TKE3 Found (feat. Leya) - Single (independent)
Vineyard Worship Royal Son - Single [Integrity]

VINYL
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]

Next Thursday, November 28, 2024
VINYL
Van Zant Always Look Up Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, November 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) [Flatiron]
Thrive Worship Christmas, Vol. 2 - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
ICF Worship Light of the World - Single [Integrity]
Selah Glory Hallelujah (feat. Mike Weaver) - Single [Integrity]
Slow Salvation The Ghost of Christmas Past - Single [Velvet Blue]
Uche Agu, Revival Today Worship Medley of Hymns - Single [DREAM]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) Vinyl (Record Store Day Exclusive!) [Flatiron]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images