Trouble With Crusades, The - Swamp Donkey

Advantages: more refined sound.
Disadvantages: the song are not transparant

...Lifetime's newest Jade Tree release, Somewhere in the Swamps of Jersey, brings a majority of Lifetime's rarer tracks to the foreground. This two disc set is packed full of two (one remastered) versions of their first LP, Background, and many B-sides that never found their home on any full length. Also included is 50+ page book of rare photos of the band and liner notes as well. While everyone needs to hear Lifetime for their countless hardcore anthems and influence on an innumerable amount of punk and hardcore outfits, it feels more as if this is directed more towards the most dedicated of Lifetime fans. Though everyone needs to hear Lifetime, Somewhere in the Swamps of Jersey is a bit difficult to recommend as a starting place. For collectors and fans, it's an instant-buy. For someone looking to start listening to this classic Jersey... Read review

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Advantages: It's different from previous albums - See Review
Disadvantages: It's different from previous albums - See Review

...Since The Crusade was launched in the UK on 10th October 2006 I have read a number of reviews across a range of sites about this album and it seems to have split Trivium fans down the middle. A lot of fans were disheartened at the style of singing, choice of fact based lyrics and a new sound from the metal kings from Florida. In the bands early days there were a number of changes in the original lineup, Corey and Paolo were relatively late-comers having arrived after a number of Ember's songs had been wrtten and performed. Months of playing together, the Trivium we all know and love pulled together Ascendancy. Similar sounding to Ember but edging away from the metalcore towards thrash metal, the band had produced an album that was, for such a young band, a masterpiece in the making. Even for Metal fans who don't like Trivium (aren... Read review

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Advantages: Rocking / great if you like music with a guitar or 2!
Disadvantages: Bit heavy / will not suit everyone!

...I was fortunate enough to see Iron maiden on their world tour last year, on their final day at Earls Court. Having been a Maiden fan all my life this was the best I had ever seen a live band at, and when I heard that Trivium were supporting I had mixed reactions too it at first. So I brought the album to familiarize myself with some of their songs, and I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of musicianship and rigor displayed on the album. When hearing them live I was amazed at their raw talent, perhaps not everyone's cup of tea but if you like to rock out at a show, Trivium don't disappoint. I would recommend buying The crusade because I think every music collection should have a diverse range of music from jazz to soul to heavy metal. And the Crusade is a great heavy metal album to come out of 2006! The Crusade is... Read review

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