Reviews

Alexisonfire formed in 2001 based out of Ontario, Canada, named after the world’s only lactating contortionist. Noted for tortured, chaotic screams over harmonic vocals; their self-titled album became an underground classic quickly. It was something different, something unique and hectic, with smooth vocals underlying the seemingly splattering screams that haunted their songs. This was 2 years before the more listener friendly Watch Out! was released, which went gold in a matter of 12 weeks. There was no doubt the band was exploding, in the U.S. and even more so in Canada, featuring on MuchOnDemand (Canada’s TRL equivalent) and receiving video and music award nominations left and right.
 
Crisis was an album based around standard melody. Melodic guitars over powerful vocals and a low, controlled bark- “controlled” being the key word here as it’s a far cry from the formerly sharp, spraying scream produced. Dare I say this release even reminded me a tad of Atreyu. I can’t say for sure that I’m the biggest Alexisonfire fan to begin with, but from what I’ve heard this definitely isn’t the album to start your Alexisonfire collection on- and I have a feeling diehard Alexisonfire fans will be slightly disappointed.
 
Alexisonfire is doing what bands everywhere are doing, taking steps to make sure that the “hardcore” and even “post-hardcore” genres are brought a tad closer to the forefront. This album had foot tappingly catchy guitar riffs, even at times with clapping on the album; and with songs like “This Could be Anywhere in the world”, it was sure to be more genre-crossing listener friendly than their self titled release in 2002 which earned them the diehard fans they have today.
 
Overall the album wasn’t awful to listen to. It was catchy and fast paced, maybe a little more melodic than previous efforts but not bad. This album leans more in the way of Watch Out! than their self titled debut in the mere fact that its more polished and structured. The lyrics themselves were pretty self explanatory to the meanings of the songs. There was nothing cryptic or tortured about this album that you can’t find somewhere else. Sadly enough to say, they even had a nu-metal sounding ballad in “You Burn First” which was honestly a discomfort to the ears. I can’t say the album was terrible, but don’t expect hardcore’s new hope possessed within the confines of Crisis. I’ll give it 3 stars to be fair.