"If someone were to lump Cave In together with the pedestrian hardcore acts like Hatebreed it would be a gross disservice to their ingenuity. Within the hardcore metal framework, Cave In's abrupt, whiplash-inducing changes of direction, monster instrumental chops, brilliant melodic ear, tension-building arrangements, and unbeatable experimental energy. "Moral Eclipse" is a bruiser of a song with disintegrating blasts of chug and switchback tempo-shifts...and that little demon lasts all of two minutes. Cosmic atmopsheres, tribal percussive fury, and straight-up metal savagery comprise "Juggernaught". "The End of Our Rope Is a Noose" is alternately brutal and melodic, with riff that would humble Iron Maiden's melodious insight. Hints of the "space rock" sound Cave In later adopted are here in embryonic form as well: the claustrophobic array of noises on "Controlled Mayhem then Erupts"; the spacey chords over the nasty percussive breakdown of "Halo of Flies"; or a few ambient "segues" throughout. Brilliant stuff, really. With eight minutes to its length, the title track coherently bounces from twisted guitar vertigo to outbursts of violence and more.The production slaughters and the performances rip. The vocals are best when little more than primitive screaming, otherwise they're pulped in the mix or awkward (hard to believe Brodsky became a great singer somewhere between here _Jupiter_). Easily an all-time favorite of mine."
The Best Hardcore Metal Cd of 1998
Jeff Wiersma | Grand Rapids, Michigan USA | 10/06/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Combine equal parts Pink Floyd, Slayer, Radiohead and Converge. Shake violently and you get...the lastest Cave In cd "Until Your Heart Stops." Cave In has taken metal to places few dare to go. Following in the footsteps of fellow Bostonians Converge, they play that fast, technical, chaotic metal that the kids are into these days. Where Cave In is different than 99% of bands in this genre is that the lyrics mean something and make you think, and they dare to do it professionally. The production on this album, recorded at Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou's studio God City, is top notch. The CD pummels you with "moral eclipse," buries you with black metalish riffs on "until your heart stops" and tickles your ears with "juggernaut," which opens with the some of the prettiest harmonies I have ever heard on guitar. The prettiness continues on Segue 1, which features some lead guitar by Ballou. Then the cd finishes out with sheer brutal riffing and vocals. Their live show is also hard to top, the are entertaining, tight, and even tossed bagels to the audience once (I didn't get one, Brodsky throws like a girl!) They released a short EP this spring that ventures more into the psychadelic space rock sound, proving their songwriting dexterity. Look for their new full length to be out on Hydra Head Records sometime early in 2000."
Simply an amazing piece of work
phaylon | NY | 08/07/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Hardcore I feel is a genre swamped with potential. There are plenty of bands out there (Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge, Candiria, Deadguy and of course Cave-In) who have shown us how powerful hardcore can be while keeping the music itself above a basic three-chord simplicity. Other then a few notable and more famous bands able to take straight-up hardcore and make it work (Biohazard, Earth Crisis, Hatebreed, VOD...etc) the genre seems to be ruled by bands who show such potential but waste it away on generic hardcore, not that there is anything wrong with basic hardcore but enough is enough, a little diversity would go a long way. Until Your Heart Stops is quite possibly one of the greatest hardcore cds ever for so many reasons. It is played with utter conviction and skill (and don't forget, the band themselves are quite young, all around 20 or so) with a strong metal influence thrown in as well. You'll be smashed over the head with brutal songs like Moral Eclipse one second and then you'll hear something both soft and hard such as Juggernaut the next. However as good as this album is Cave-In have proved recently that they won't be held down by anyone as their new album Jupiter not only totally sheds any notions of what hardcore should sound like (mixing hardcore and progressive rock actually!) but is even better then this. Also check out their CD before this, Beyond Hypothermia. Its another excellent release from the Cave-In boys. If you have any interest in heavy music at all you should check these guys out, they are one of the greatest underground bands ever to exist, period."
An Amazing Hardcore / Grind Album
Twitch | Atlanta, GA | 11/30/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Cave In's 'Until Your Heart Stops" is one of those records that will leave you saying "What the hell?". With some of the most technical metal songs that you could hear and an atmosphere that will keep you coming back for more, this album is a truely amazing venture through the hardcore / grind genre. The undeniable death origins of Cave In a strait forward with this release. Starting off with the punding "Moral Eclipse", probably the best track on the album, and busting though doors and breaking down barriers all the way to the end. As I have said before, "Moral Eclipse" is easily my favorite song on the album, its gring riffs and screaming vocals remind me of Pig Destroyer mixed with old Converge. The pulsating "Ebola" also ranks high. With its fast as hell drum work and amazing riffing it makes for an amazing song. The musicianship is very solid and strait forward, the lyrics are also great, the whole of the album is perfection. "Until Your Heart Stops" a staple in the world of hardcore, Cave In should be honored for making such great music."
Greatest hardcore album ever
phaylon | NY | 07/13/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As one who usually looks down on hardcore for its lack of originality and overhyped bands (Snapcase, Hatebreed...etc) I can safely say that even for those who disdain hardcore will love this amazing album. Its hardcore alright though it does have a lot of metal in it noted mostly in the occasionally lightning fast riffing that brings Slayer to mind. It sounds like a calmer version of The Dillinger Escape Plan (and also I must admit not as good, though who really is as good as DEP?). To those who like this I recommend Dillinger Escape Plan first and foremost and also Luddite Clone, Converge, Coalesce and Candiria"