10 Years "Feeding The Wolves"

     Not that they are the only band that does this, but you can usually always tell where the band was at when they recorded their records. Such as in their follow-up to their pretty successful debut The Autumn Effect, which almost led to the the Division of this band as they struggled with writer's block and the anticipation  of creating a record greater than their debut, hence the title. This record documents the virtues of artistic integrity and growth against the prospect of pleasing/gaining approval of critics and fans,or the struggle with fame.  The first song and single confirms this theory as Hasek sings "I'm not gonna fight you war/All the distractions kill the compassion /Suddenly, fame has lost it's attraction." It might be their heaviest single sonically, and it's still pretty heavy thematically, but I think that prize goes to their first single Wasteland. They have said that they were going for a heavier sound on this record, to sort of please those fans that were hoping for one, and they have definitely achieved a heavier sound sonically; we already know they were pretty heavy already thematically.The song is very catchy and addictive, repeats the first two lines a good amount of times, but it doesn't mean the rest of the lyrics have nothing to offer; U just wanna "Shoot it Out" as you listen to the song; ready to replace a hole.The next song takes us to the old west through a road of perdition, in an updated sound and attitude, but just who are "The Wicked Ones?" and who will defend us from them? If the only way to defend ourselves from  becoming like them is by committing suicide then it sounds hopeless but only if we believe so. The next song is a more dangerous journey driving through Alabama with hydraulic rhythm and some screaming for those that are dumb,deaf, and blind, while then building up the pace of a line that is filled with venom after the chorus is repeated a second time. The first track that is tender-hearted, and a touch of strings to embrace the sentiment that "One More Day" I'm not afraid to fall in love; even if you're not there to catch me. A touch of their atmospheric grace and their geyser tension of arpeggio before the blast in their final chorus, that is not as powerful as expected is what hits me about the song, but it is best that way.  The song is fine in the fire,and I feed on the friction to try and take me higher, but as Hasek sings "I'm right where I should be." I'm not sure if I'm a liar, and I don't think I'm broken, so don't try to "Fix Me." The next song is about "Chasing The Rapture" while wishing for something to make the world a better place, and  leaving the clean-up for those past our own lifetimes, because if that trial is not bothering us we don't need to worry about it, right? Wrong! If we can do something, do it we must, and the chorus says it all. At first, I thought the screaming part,which sounded like a professional vocal cord shredding volcano, seemed like it was added just for audio aesthetics. When you pay attention to the rest of the lyrics, especially that part, it would not make sense if that line wasn't screamed.                                                                                                                                 There are two types of churchgoers: those that are actually good people outside of church, who try to help others, etc. and those that believe going to church every week will serve as atonement and a facade to make them seem that their moral fiber is stronger than it really is.  It's a contradictory hypocrisy, and that is what I think they are addressing here; not raging a war on churchgoers, but the fakers, liars and thieves whose consciences must be "Dead in the Water." The song is driven by its lyrical attributes,but also has a pounding and driving beat in a song with lots of energy. The next song's sentiment and sound are easy to fall into, but "Don't Fight It." I know, that was too easy, but the song is easy to love. The time sig in the next track starts off real nice, and then changes to become an atmospheric adrenaline rush with a consistent pace that builds up tension as strings come into the fold. As the dead memories are closer to being unearthed, he comes closer to "Waking The Ghost" and the spirit of the enemy inside.I tend to think of someone running for fear of awakening the spirit in Rose Red. I think the title is perfectly matched because it does sound like the song is "Running In Place." This would be the final track on the regular album, and I think I'm done writing, maybe I'll just "Fade Into (The Ocean)" which doesn't sound so bad at first, but then it seems as if a storm is brewing;  the ocean starts to birth waves after two minutes have passed only to calm down and have you think it's over. The acoustic version of their first single starts dreamy, and does sound really strong its own, as well as the acoustic version of "Fix Me." The final bonus track is one of those songs that can be described as a silent scream, or a "Silhouette of a Life" Something you might miss if you do not pay attention. This is definitely a strong album, and there are hardly any duds on this disc.