So, nun mal ein erster "richtiger" Review, der sehr vielversprechend ist! (u.a. dass WIWI der schlechteste Song auf dem Album ist)
It's better than Blooddrunk and AYDY? definately. The album is not return to the roots but it's very melodic and the musicanship on it is awesome. About the mainstream - I think that their last 2 albums were far more commercial than the new one. In the new one also there are a lot more keyboards and the guitar stuff is really technical. I can say something about each song but the album is still growing on me...
Anyway:
Not My Funeral - Definately one of the best song on the album. It feels like something between FTR and HCDR. There is a very interesting breakdown - not typical for COB but you can headbang on it and I feel that it will sound really good live.
Shovel Knockout - A song that might have come from the FTR period. In the beginning there is a really extreme part with fast drums and almost black metal vocals, once again untypical for COB but sounds pretty good. The chorus is very catchy.
Roundtrip To Hell And Back - Begins a more balladic way - like Everytime I Die and Angels Don't Kill but in the second half gets faster. Definately like it, it should have been a little longer but...
Pussyfoot Miss Suicide - Thrashy song. The title of the song is pretty hilarious and dull but the song is not a bad one.
Relentless, Reckless Forever - Again a fast and thrashy song. In terms of style, very HCDR-ish.
Ugly - Starts with a movie quote - like some of their older songs. Very dark! The song itself is nice with nice keyboards giving it a really mysterious feeling.
Cry Of The Nihilist - Still hasn't grown on me but is not dissapointing. A thrashy one...
Was It Worth It? - The weakest song on the album. The effects on the vocals during the verses are horrible. The solo is bad either. On the other hand, the chorus is very agressive - I like Alexi's vocals there. I think it will sound a lot better live.
Northpole Throwdown - The song is very old-school thrash. It's also very short - 02:54. It feels more like something done for fun - I would have wanted something longer and darker for the end of the album but it's good for what it is....
As a whole, I'm pleased with the album and I think that it's a step in the right direction. It's not as good as the first 4 albums but it's a nice suprice.