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

JFH Music Review



The Famine
The Raven and The Reaping



Album length: 11 tracks: 32 minutes, 34 seconds
Street Date: May 27, 2008


Thus far, 2008 seems to be the year of reincarnated or resurrected hardcore bands. Earlier this year, Advent was formed out of the remains of Beloved, while Living Sacrifice has (oh happy happy happy) returned and is touring with Demon Hunter, and now three founding members of Embodyment (does everyone remember Embodyment?) have formed The Famine: a fast, grindy, gritty metal band that brings a lot to the table.

Off the top, I can say that fans of Living Sacrifice, especially older LS like Inhabit or Reborn, and fans of Extol will probably appreciate The Raven and The Reaping. Familiar themes of war, redemption, forgiveness, struggle, and loneliness play about on each track. Guitars roar with that cat-in-a-blender-in-a-microwave-in-a-steel-keg-rolling-down-a-hill kind of distortion. There is some nice solo work on "Unending Silence," and drum-work is wicked fast with a relentless grind-core tinge on the whole album.

I can't say as there is a whole lot the separates The Famine from the pack, but this is a must-listen for metal fans that love (as I do) a band that never turns off the distortion pedals. Certainly the lyrics are worth listening to, and I certainly appreciate a band that keeps the sing-along parts to a minimum, and makes liberal use of the throbbing double bass.

This is not a modern metal album by any means. If you're into lots of breakdowns and mush-parts, and melodic emo parts, The Famine is definitely not the band for you. The Famine write smart, uncompromising, metal tracks like it's their job. While this certainly detracts from the unique standout parts that more artistic and melodic nu-metal bands are working with these days, The Raven and The Reaping stands firmly as a presentation of something new, while at the same time belonging to the annals of metal past.

- Review date: 6/2/08, written by Sean Lex



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

. Record Label: Tooth & Nail Records
. Album length: 11 tracks: 32 minutes, 34 seconds
. Street Date: May 27, 2008
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Scar The Earth
  2. Behemoth
  3. Consume Devour Repeat
  4. The South Will Rise
  5. Death Threat
  6. Killing For Sport
  7. Cut From The Stone
  8. Ascend
  9. Another Foot To The Shovel
  10. Unending Silence
  11. Stitched In Plastic
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
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

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

Search JFH




This Friday, November 8, 2024
ALBUMS
Gabby Barrett Carols and Candlelight [Warner Music Nashville]
CXMMXNS CXMMXNS Chapter 1 - EP [Essential Worship]
New Hope Oahu There Is One - EP [DREAM]
Neal Morse & The Resonance No Hill For A Climber [InsideOut]
TAKE Time Bomb [Resuscitation Records]
Lauren Talley A Lauren Talley Christmas [Horizon]

SINGLES
Cory Asbury I Hope You Dance - Single [BEC]
Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story Approach, My Soul - Single [Getty]
Sam Bowman & GLADDEN Misfit Toys - Single [DREAM]
Wavorly Enemies - Single (independent)

VINYL
Michael W. Smith Every Christmas Vinyl [Rocketown]
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Vinyl [Frontiers]
TAKE Time Bomb Vinyl [Resuscitation Records]

DVD
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Blu-Ray [Frontiers]

Next Friday, November 15, 2024
ALBUMS
Dolly Parton & Family Smoky Mountain DNA – Family, Faith & Fables [Owepar Entertainment]
The Lore Family Faith Over Fear [Horizon]
Fernando Ortega For All the Saints - EP (independent)
Earnest Pugh Worth is the Lamb
We Are Messengers Rejoice! (A Celtic Christmas) - EP [Curb]
Paul Wright III Reverie [United Alliance]

SINGLES
Big Dismal Here In My Heart - Single (independent)
Hannah Kerr It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - Single [Curb]
Olivia Lane Silent Night - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Wake Up It's Christmas - Single [BEC]
Jamie MacDonald A Million Chances - Single [Capitol CMG]
Ronnie Martin On Christmas Morning - Single [Velvet Blue]
Hunter Plake Daylight - Single [BEC]
Jordan St. Cyr Christ is Here - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Divine Discontent Vinyl [Word]



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