Search - Today Is the Day :: In Eyes of God

Soundtrack to the insanity of everyday existence

JoeColeIsGod | FL | 02/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For those of you who live in a place where you feel nothing is left for you, this is the band for you. For those of you who dislike the world and dislike the things of those who are around you, you will find yourself in love with this album. Today Is The Day, comprised of three guys who put their heart and soul into their music, really speaks to me in a way that most bands cant with this album. It leaves me more in terms with reality after every listen. Not only does it do this, but In The Eyes of God is by far one of the most flawless albums in terms of talent. Its pumped full of heavy riffage, but isnt done in the cliched thrash sound. The guitars sound very fitting to the music, very sludgy, doomy and evil. The evil sonic feel is backed by the heaviest rhythm section Ive yet heard (Brann Dailor is a monster of a drummer by the way, I dont think Ive heard a guy hit so much on a single album before)and is pushed onward by the madman at the helm, Steve Austin, who spews the venom life injected into him with every distored shriek and scream he utters. Simply put, this is the most disturbing thing ever made for those not in grip with the way life is. For those of us who know what these guys are talking about, it is pure beauty and passion. Dont pass up on this one, and be sure to check out Converge, Lamb of God and the other releases from TITD. Best tracks: Going To Hell, Soldier of Fortune, Martial Law."

As creepy as they get

Wheelchair Assassin | The Great Concavity | 10/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

""In The Eyes Of God" is one unpleasant album, and I mean that in the best sense possible because it's obviously supposed to sound that way. It was here that Today Is The Day frontman Steve Austin proved himself to be a master of depression metal. Very few albums, no matter how extreme, can create an atmosphere of utter insanity like this one can. For a bad mood, this is one of the best listens out there. It's original, it's intense, and it's really, really, really heavy. The band's vocalist, guitarist, and only permanent member, Austin is definitely one of the most important creative forces in metal today, not to mention one of its most distinctive voies. On "In The Eyes Of God," he turns in a performance for the ages. You can really feel the desperation and alienation in every note of Austin's vocals and in every disaffected lyric. His screams and growls are stunningly vicious, and his occasional clean vocals actually betray some pain and vulnerability. Backing him up is a razor-sharp musical barrage of twisted guitars, pummelling bass, and the phenomenal drumming of the incomparable Brann Dailor. I saw another reviewer say he's never heard a drummer hit as much as Brann does, and I'm inclined to agree (and if you like his work here, be sure to pick up Mastodon's "Remission" the first chance you get). For the most part the tracks bleed into each other, giving the album the feel of one long aural montage rather than a collection of distinct songs. But while those looking for a single will probably be disappointed, a few tunes do manage to stand out. The swirling title track could be the soundtrack to a nervous breakdown, with Austin sounding as though he could become unhinged at any moment. "Martial Law" boasts one of the most jarring structures I've ever heard, while the seven-minute epic "Going To Hell" and the indescribable "Honor" manage to intersperse some melody into the proceedings without abandoning the album's overall dark aesthetic.Shorter songs like "Spotting A Unicorn," "Possession," and "Himself" are amazingly economical, cramming more aggression into a minute or so than you might think possible. "Russian Child Porn Ballet" and "Cold Harshness Of Being Wrong Througout Your Entire Life" don't really stand out that much, but they have such cool titles that I can't help but mention them.This album's predecessor "Temple Of The Morning Star" and last year's 145-minute magnum opus "Sadness Will Prevail" are quality albums as well, but I think "In The Eyes Of God" sees Today Is The Day at their best. Austin was at a creative peak here, and with the band's revolving-door lineup he may never work with a rhythm section this good again. I have yet to hear TITD's older stuff, but I can't imagine them putting out a better album. "In The Eyes Of God" is essential for all who call themselves metal fans."

Soul Debauchery

C. Horn | Indianapolis, IN | 03/04/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"To be honest I picked this CD up one day, somehow mistaking it for Napalm Death. After listening to it a couple times, I wasn't entirely sure what I thought of it. Eventually I came to appreciate it more for it's novelty than anything else. It most assuredly will take anyone at LEAST a few full listens in a row to begin to like the whole CD. Once I finally accepted it into my collection however, I would find myself surprised at how good it was every time I listened to it. Even if you don't love corrupting your soul, you have to like the full-force, driving metal of TITD. It also makes you have to scoff at the many wannabe pop bands who think they're dark and menacing. These guys don't [mess] around, the songs might not be long, and they might not span all possibilities of musical creation, but it rocks."