Search - Chiodos :: All's Well That Ends Well

Tons of potential

Nicholas Adam Chupka | Derwood, MD | 09/30/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Before I get to any of my disparaging remarks, I must first say that this really is a quality album. So much of the screamo/emo/post-hardcore/punk bands...(whatever, these labels are beginning to annoy me to no end) are no better than Limp Bizkit or Good Charlotte in their whiney, we're so rebellious tone. Chiodos is not one of these bands. This six piece outfit will hopefully create a niche of its own simply because of their talent as musicians and songwriters.



All's Well That Ends Well displays influences from the aforementioned styles, but also incorporates elements of classical music, progressive death/thrash, and pure heavy metal ala Iron Maiden. Metal heads beware! I am in no way saying that these are the dominant influences, rather, Chiodos has created a unique sound by infusing these sounds with the more annoying screamo related stylings. Put together, though, it works. A great example of this would have to be "Expired in Goreville" which contains an almost techno-themed chorus, and a near-to-grindcore breakdown.



What I simply cannot get over are the almost unforgivable clean vocals. My goodness, if this vocal tone is not the epitome of the "I'm so mad at the world because my parents are rich, but I just want to be an obnoxiously rebellious teenager, because, goshdarn, it's just soooooo cool" trend, then I don't know what is. Please, I am in no way insinuating that I know the roots or philosophies of these band members, but any metal fan who hears these vocals will immediately understand where I'm coming from.



Luckily, Chiodos saves itself with instrumental originality and ability. The dual guitar attack presents technical riffs not often heard in the screamo/post-punk genre, and the piano and keyboards play such an integral part in establishing the mood and emotion of the tracks. Most importantly to me, Chiodos avoid stagnation by composing songs of multiple themes, breakdowns, riffs, sections, etc., and in looking at the album as a whole, the tracks are also varied when compared to one another.



Screamo/post-hardcore fans will absolutely love the unrivaled sound and ability of this band, while those who approach the album as metal fans, like me, will find it hard to swallow the sometimes tortuous vocals. Still, "All's Well that Ends Well" and at the end of it all, any listener will be impressed with the scope of influences, and the truly unique final product they create."

Break out of the scene

T. Fisher | Michigan | 06/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"All's Well That Ends Well has to be one of the best records that came out last year. Chiodos can't be labeled by a simple word like 'screamo' because it's so much more than that. The band incorperates (yes screamo) with prog., metal, hardcore, etc. I know many bands say that they do this, but Chiodos rises far above those bands. The music has so much energy, you just have to rock out to it. These guys also put on a crazy show. I haven't had so many elbows to the face as I had at their show. If you're bored of the scene, check these guys out.



And P.S. don't compare this band to other bands. Chiodos isn't like them."

ALL BUYERS BEWARE!

Karen L. Long | 06/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Becasue this CD is AMAZING. It's easily understood how people dont like the sound of the clean vocals, yes it sounds girly, but i dont see anyone complaining about Coheed and Cambria or AFI. Once you get past the vocals, your set to go. Brad does an awesome job on the keyboards, it gives it a different feeling compared to some other Screamo/Post Hardcore bands. But, these keyboards arnt like the usual, its more of a classical style instead of a progressive(Drop Dead, Gorgeous) or synthisizer (Blinded Black) style.



-The Guitars on this album are ok, im not a guitar player so I just know a little above the basics on what i expect.

-The drums, deliver. They dont give you the bland backbeat like a lot of bands out there today.

-Bass, wow I didnt notice the bass player for awhile haha. Sometimes there is so much going on i couldnt pick out the bass player except for his little solos here and there.



Theres two things i dont understand about this band. First, the album art. I mean, what the hell is it? lol Its good except it makes no sense.

Second, why does there label on the cd package say sounds like UnderOath. IT DOESNT, Chiodos is a sound of its own dont trust those labels.



With that said, go buy it. Im going to go drown myself in the amazing song All Nereids Beware."