Chester Bennington (vocals,compositions,guitar,synthesizer)
Elias Andra* (Drums)
Brandon Belsky* (Bass,synthesizer)
Amir Derakh* (Guitar)
Ryan Shuck* (Guitar,synthesizer)
Anthony 'Fu' Valcic* (Keyboard,synthesizer)
*Members of Julien-K.
I really must begin with what this band actually comprises of.It's got Chester of Linkin Park on vocals with all the programming, instruments and production work done by Julien-K.Those who know who Julien-K are will understand this- "Dead By Sunrise is Chester's Julien-K".
Orgy guitarists[Ryan & Amir]+Brandon Belsky+Elias Andra=Julien-K
Julien-K+Chester=Dead By Sunrise
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| Ryan Shuck,Chester Bennington,Amir Derakh [from left to right] |
Out Of The Ashes has been too long in the making.It was originally slated to be released sometime in 2006, but since Chester had to concentrate on his Linkin Park duties, with Minutes To Midnight in 2007, recording for Out Of The Ashes was held up indefinitely.Finally, it saw the light of the day in late 2009.
Chester has written and composed all the songs on this record and claims he took them up as a side-project with Julien-K as he didn't think they were consistent with the "sound" of Linkin Park.Ryan Shuck visited Chester at his home one day, and heard him strumming what was later to become the track 'Let Down',and was so excited about it that he suggested they collaborate.And I think he is very insightful to make this decision, as I have noticed some LP songs which I would have definitely placed under Dead By Sunrise hadn't I known better.
I was blown away by this album on the first listen, but sobered down a bit after growing close to it.But by all means, this is a very good collection of songs that may have never existed.
Out Of The Ashes-------------- ********oo [8/10]
Well, for Chester's fans, this was a welcome album.They hadn't got a Linkin Park album since 2007's Minutes To Midnight [MTM] and there was no news whatsoever about their next album,which eventually released in 2010,named A Thousand Suns.And he didn't disappoint.
Another interesting point here is the role played by Ryan Shuck.He's not credited for providing backing vocals, but I'll bet anything I heard him on 'Crawl Back In' and 'In The Darkness' among some other tracks.He's only credited for beat-boxing on 'In The Darkness'.
Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park actually said just before the release of the album that Dead By Sunrise actually sounded 'rockier' than Linkin Park, but I whole-heartedly disagree.People may second this only because LP strayed from their Nu-metal sound in MTM.
Now, down to business.The track-listing is a bit messed up, with the first impression being pedestrian, but the songs get better and better and in the end, it doesn't even matter, because this album is best listened to when shuffled.
Kicks off with Fire.Nothing wrong with the track except that it's nothing exceptional, the type you come to expect of Chester.Even the lyrics aren't inspired.
Now comes the show-stealer: Crawl Back In.This is an awesome track and will remain in your playlist for a long time.The beat is peppy, the guitars are bold and Chester is in his forte pitch, making everything sound like Heaven.To the technical mind, you'll be pleased to notice that each time he sings "I wanna crawl back in....", he goes one pitch higher.His magnum opus is at the climax.Don't miss this one.
This song is about Chester's past, his drug abuse incidents, and how he doesn't want to be buried into all that again.
Too Late is a brilliant song.Beautiful melody with wonderful lyrics.It is so hum-worthy that if someone gave me a dare to sing any song, I would without doubt choose this one!It speaks of sometimes it being too late to revert to old times and what may come might not be as dandy as the past.I would have loved a music video for this track.
The album continues it's upward trend with Inside Of Me.This tracks returns to aggressive vocals after the calmer Too Late.A catchy number and doesn't disappoint after many listens.
Let Down is another soothing song, with deep and intense music & lyrics.And like all beautiful songs, it is about love, and pain emanating from the same love.
Give Me Your Name is a disappointment.
My Suffering features the first proper screaming vocals on this album.Gets your heart racing.You'll love it only if you are a fan of Chester's screaming.
Condemned continues the trend with vicious screaming.
Into You marks the return to the melodious kind.It's a lovely track with a scintillating climax."Then I Fall......Into You,And I Fade Away", a great composition.
End Of The World comes as a pleasant surprise.It's about time Chester complained about the world, as all the previous tracks had he himself as the protagonist.The lyrics are hard-hitting, speaking of all the miserable things we see on T.V., read in newspapers, and Chester tells us to believe that there's no hope left and the only solution is to fall to your knees and beg God for forgiveness.
We near the end of this journey with Walking In Circles.An intriguing song.Sometimes I feel it's crap, while sometimes I wonder at it's depth.I guess you'd better decide for yourself.Chester's reach is truly amazing and this is yet another example.
In The Darkness is the shocker.It's almost a trance song, and I loved it's execution.The programming and synth on this one are out of this world.This song will coax even an insomniac to sleep, and that's a compliment!
Chester fans, don't think twice before listening to this one.Others, this is not something that keeps on happening on a daily basis-Check it out!
My verdict is that they should look at making another album.(Mike Shinoda, are you listening?We need you as an executive producer here!)
A fully-deserved 8/10 for Dead By Sunrise's debut attempt.
News:
*Well, no new news about Limp Bizkit's Gold Cobra yet.This is starting to bug me now.Heard a leaked song on their website and wasn't that impressive.Didn't lend credibility to the rumours of them returning to their original Nu-metal sound.
Despite repeated clarifications that Gold Cobra is ready, why aren't they releasing it ?!?!?
Next Week: I can't believe I'm saying this but yeah, My World 2.0 by Justin Bieber, the baby.
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| How silly does he look? Ans: Epic Silly |
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