Search - Coalesce :: Give Them Rope She Said 2.0

Dear scene-listen to this, then please give up.

D. Galante | watchcity, Ma | 08/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Track 2..."One on the Ground". With this one song, Coalesce reveals 95% of all current "metal-hardcore" bands to be what they truly are...redundant. I dare not play this while driving or while operating any other form of heavy machinery, for damage would ensue, and this is at a volume setting of 4. The vocals of Sean Ingram are paint peeling waves of sonic terror that stand up to anything the death metal scene has ever had to offer-not bad for a chubby blonde kid with glasses...and the guitars? They cut flesh. So to all who champion the ilk of ferret, the new school of metal blade, or anything else AP magazine tells you is "heavy" this week, listen to this, look in the mirror and say to yourself, "I am better today, for I have learned..."

Then pop those zits. Yeech."

"Doomed Plans Of Safety Surface Between Showcases Of Failed

LeftManOut | TheCityThatNeverSleeps, FL | 01/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As someone who actually likes some of the modern metal and hardcore that is coming out at the moment, even I have to admit it's getting rather boring. You can only hear so many swedish melodeath referencing metalcore acts until you just can't take it anymore. And that's what will always keep me coming back to bands like Coalesce and Converge. As one of the two most important (and prominent) bands of the new-school technical hardcore/metal hybrid, Coalesce literally changed the face of hardcore in 1996 with "Give Them Rope". In a time when most bands were concerned with tough-guy mentality and played music full of everyday topics about their struggle in suburbia, Coalesce came along and presented something strikingly unique and different from anything that had ever been heard in the scene. It's only fitting that about a year and a half ago, during the height of the uprising of metalcore/hardcore, that their seminal debut "Give Them Rope She Said" was re-issued with a wonderful new remastering job and new artwork.



Basically if you're looking for simple swedish metal riffs, dynamic choruses, a bunch of breakdowns and such, Coalesce is not the band for you. Their music is far from simple (listen to the guitar patterns from some of these songs), their writing style is unconventional, and they don't let up to give you those melodic emo choruses so prominent in today's heavy music world. Sean Ingram has one of the most distinctive voices in heavy music, constantly bombarding your ears with tortured screams and howls, which over the top of Jes Steineger complex and off-kilt timing signatures creates an extremely chaotic atmosphere. James Dewees (now of Reggie And The Full Effect, I know hard to believe) lays down technical and impressive drum patterns throughout the entire record, while Stacy Hilt holds down the low end with often times overlooked bass riffs.



Not just that but the musical and lyrical content of this album is miles ahead of what anyone else in the hardcore scene has done in years (except for a few bands). No songs about killing your girlfriend or crying over a broken hearts here folks. Coalesce indulges you with deep and thought provoking music that will make you realize how bad some music in today's world really is. This is what really made them stand out from the hardcore pack of the mid 90's, which was more concerned about inciting dance floors and preaching about friends, family and lifestyle. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with that, but Coalesce definitely did something totally different from what was going on at the time when they decided to make this record.



Everything you've heard about this album is true. The guitars could severely damage you. The vocals are as raw as it gets. The rhythm section does everything it needs to back a band with this type of sound. In a time when there is hundreds upon hundreds of bands all perfecting the exact same sound, it's nice to be reminded of how fresh and different hardcore can be. It's hard to believe this album was released 10 years ago, because it still sounds as good today as it did then. "Give Them Rope" is highly essential to all fans of the said genre, and if you're new to Coalesce, it's a perfect introduction. Many argue on whether or not it's their best cd. That's not really relevant, because the only question that should matter is whether or not it was important. And to answer that, yes it was. Very, Very important, and very influential, and most definitely an album that deserves a place in your record collection."

Enjoyable.

Robert P. Beveridge | Cleveland, OH | 03/19/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Coalesce, Give Them Rope (Edison, 2000)Short. Fast. Croaking. Weird attempts to shove lyrics into places they definitely do not belong. It's turn-of-the-century American hardcore. Some positively catchy riffs, impressionist lyrics (look them up, don't bother trying to understand), and solid rhythm. Likable. ***"