this album release as the topic not only for the fact that it is new, but because I have been a fan of this band for some time. Like most bands, Asking Alexandria's "sound" progresses and evolves with each album that is released, but the maturity and simplistic nature of this album is the reason it stands out. Posted below will be a link that will give you a taste of the simplistic nature and maturity described previously. This song isn't the screaming / hardcore sound we're used to as fans, but this song has a true meaning behind it, and I hope you enjoy.
Asking Alexandria's "Moving On"
For comparison in the contrasting song writing styles:
Asking Alexandria's "Killing You"
This album is the physical representation of the band and the new direction they are heading. Asking Alexandria manages to stay true to their roots with heavy guitar riffs and melodic choruses, but manage to make each track more personal. The tried and true attitude for Asking Alexandria has always been the cliche "Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll," but with that comes the reality of addiction and substance abuse. Rather than attempt to hide it from the media lead singer Danny Worsnop acknowledges the effect the drugs and alcohol have had on him. "From Death to Destiny" is born from the willingness of the band to tell their story, and the progression of where they've been to where they are headed. The single from the album "The Death of Me" is Danny Worsnop's personal insight into the personal conflict he has with his vices, and how he is overcoming them. A little known fact about the music video of "The Death of Me" would be that each girl inside of the four different vending machines all represent a different vice that speaks for the band, or Danny Worsnop personally. The four vices that are displayed are alcohol, cocaine, heroine, and pills. The vending machine that the women find themselves in is also symbolic because it demonstrates the convenience and quick access they have to each of these vices. This is a brilliant metaphor for the band, because picture how fast and easy it is for you to get a small bag of chips out of the vending machine when you are craving a snack.
"The Death of Me" Official Music Video
When analyzing this album I don't want to sound like I'm beating a dead horse, but I might be at times. This album is different from their previous works because most of the songs are written in a more personal manner. Each song was written about the band or individuals in particular, which renders them vulnerable to all of their listeners and fans. They have scaled back the hardcore breakdowns, but have managed to keep the harder rhythmic riffs, which is a delight for the listener. The essence of being a hardcore band is still prevalent in this album, demonstrating that they haven't gone soft, but instead have managed to create a thrashin album that they wrote on their own accord. When observing the genre as a whole, I would say that Asking Alexandria has stayed true to their metal roots, and have produced an album full of quality songs. Much like other bands in the genre, the choruses are catchy enough to get stuck in your head, and are generally devoid of screaming. The strongest factor that keeps Asking Alexandria separated from the rest of the genre and from being cliche is the fact that they write exactly what they feel with a "don't care attitude" and record their songs with no extra frills so they can live up to expectations during live performances. They have a great stage presence and sound great live, which culminates a great following of fans and allows them to remain a force to be reckoned with.
Although we all look at the world through varying perspectives I feel that this album is important because it unveils the ugly truth that is substance abuse, and shows that even your icons may fall victim to it but also still get back on track. No one ever envisions their role models' falling from grace, but when they decide to do so in a public manner they gain your respect. Not only is this album about the vices that surround their lives, but it's also about the recovery and healing process that goes along with it. I believe the message of this album does reflect a trend in our culture, because drugs are a huge social problem in our society. This album is targeted towards the youth and young adults primarily, because that is where the love of hardcore music usually lies. Not only does the demographic encompass a love of hardcore music, but also the primary users and abusers of the intoxicating vices. With this album will come the stigma of drugs being apart of the music scene, and that Asking Alexandria's lead singer is just a byproduct of the culture he belongs to. It's not uncommon to see the rise and fall of many musicians due to substance abuse.
Most of the strengths and weaknesses for this album and the band in particular have already been detailed when comparing the similarities and differences between their own work and the work of other bands in the genre. I will say that one weakness I didn't highlight was the fact that this album was quite a dramatic change from the previous albums, which has caused some people to not enjoy it as much as they would have previously. Some people don't understand that bands evolve and mature over time, so change is inevitable. Personally, I think this album is very good. It took me a few times of listening to the album to get accustomed to the different sound, but I do really enjoy it. I would venture to say that this is probably the best album they've produced so far. I say that because each track is so personal. You can tear into the meaning behind each song and you can feel the raw emotion that helped formulate the song in the first place. The fact that each track is so personal and can relate to many individuals is the key reason I believe this album will remain memorable. As a listener, when you connect with music you never want to let it go. It becomes a piece of who you are and helps describe you. Alt Press (a leading musical magazine for the genre and others of the sort) gave this album 4 out of 5 stars.
Aside from taking the time to write out this blog post, I have engaged deeply with the album and the band. Being a long time fan, I do own this album and the two that came before it. Most of their songs new and old are played quite frequently via Itunes. I do watch a lot of their live performances on YouTube, which is always a treat. I have asked a few friends who are unfamiliar to the band to take a listen to a few tracks, and they were quite pleased. They said the difference between the first two tracks I linked at the beginning of this post were astounding and that "Moving On" sounded very mature.
Asking Alexandria has come full circle from their debut album, but I believe it is for the better. The fact that they continue to public display the impact of their vices to the world is inspirational. Although most don't condone the behavior, the fact that they have allowed themselves to be so vulnerable allows their fans to connect with them. For now all we can do is sit back and enjoy the show, while wishing Asking Alexandria the resilience and strength of mind to tackle their demons.
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