Since their previous album, The Darkest Red, Tulsa’s The Agony Scene has gone through a couple of line-up changes. Apart from that, they went from Roadrunner Records to Century Media. I personally love their previous album and therefore I was very eager to find out about their latest baby, Get Damned. Here’s what I think about it.

 

Immediately from the start, it becomes very obvious that The Agony Scene has a slightly different approach towards their songs. I don’t know whether this has anything to do with the line-up changes, but one thing I’m very glad about anyway; vocalist Mike Williams still screams his nasty screams on Get Damned. Although he may sound monotonous to some people in a way, I could care less. This guy just keeps screaming his lungs out and just like on The Darkest Red, this albums has only one song with clean vocals in it. Being ‘Old Scratch’. I personally dig that song as well but it’s a good choice to put it in the end of the album since some people might find Mike’s clean vocals annoying.

 

Now, you may wonder what exactly has changed then. Let me tell you. First of all the music seems to contain more breakdowns than before. Those typical, kick-ass breakdowns that make you jump up and down through your room. Furthermore the band seems to have lost some of its distinctive extreme metalcore sound they used to have. Instead we find a more general approach. I think it makes the whole thing a bit more accessible. It’s not just that razor-sharp metalcore anymore, it’s been smoothened up a bit here and there.

 

All in all the songs seem less original than on The Darkest Red. As if the band lacked a bit of inspiration during the writing and recording of this album. Let me put it this way; Get Damned certainly isn’t a bad album, it’s just not as good as their previous release. So, it’s up to you to decide whether TAS improved itself on Get Damned or not. I personally dig their previous album more because it’s a tad more aggressive. Nevertheless I’m sure I’m

gonna enjoy myself with this one. Now go check it out!