Still Remains - The Serpent (2007) Review
Original Release Date: July 16, 2007
Label: Roadrunner Records
The latest album of Michigan based Christian metalcore band, Still Remains is quite disappointing. Having listened to their previous album, Of Love And Lunacy, the latest album seems to lack aggression, which they have already established in the previous one. I haven’t heard of their first album yet, but it has been said that The Serpent’s musical direction was taken from the band’s earlier releases. Unlike in the previous album, the keyboards in which Still Remains is known for, were more apparent this time. The less aggressive melodies made way for the keyboard to sink in beautifully with the softer tracks. It was clearly demonstrated in the first track, which has the same title as the album. Nevertheless, I expected more from the band. A smoother transition could’ve at least prepared me for the direction that they were going. Take the case of Trivium’s Ascendancy album to The Crusade. The turning point was really good that it gave me a lot more tracks to choose from. After 2 years of waiting, it just wasn’t worth it. It wasn’t the Still Remains I had previously known.
Tracks I disliked:
- Maria
- Dancing With The Enemy
- The River Song
Tracks I liked:
- The Wax Walls Of An Empty Room
- Anemia In Your Sheets
- Dropped From The Cherry Tree
- Sleepless Nights Alone
- An Undesired Reunion
- Avalanche
Still Remains is known for its unique sound, by incorporating keyboards into American modern metal sounds, to create a distinct, euro-metal sound into their music. The band cite bands like In Flames and Children of Bodom as their influences. They have recently covered Nine Inch Nails’s Head Like a Hole for the Kerrang! free CD, High Voltage!: A Brief History of Rock, celebrating the magazine’s 25th anniversary.
Very recently, the band’s keyboardist, Zach Roth, left the group. Also, bass player Evan Willey left the band so that he and his wife could raise their baby. They have been replaced by Ben Schauland and Steve Hetland, respectively. -Wikipedia
July 6th, 2007 at 1:03
Very interesting review, I must say. Although I haven’t actually listened to this album, I would really be interested in seeing “what’s wrong” with those guys, and especially the tracks you mentioned as dislikes.
Could it be that the band’s recent personnel change might have had something to do with all of that? What’s the background of the new keyboard and players?
At any rate, GREAT REVIEW! Keep’em coming.
July 6th, 2007 at 4:39
@WebGyver,
Welcome back!
Yeah, the new members could’ve have made a significant impact. I haven’t thought of that. Thanks for you input. I couldn’t find information on the background of the new members, but I will have to say that they know their craft well. Talent wasn’t really an issue to me when I listened to the new album. All of them did perform well. It’s just that the musical direction they took didn’t match my expectations.
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:07
Still Remains has their own video blog hosted by kyte.tv! They have a whole bunch of cool shows on there, all that they produced themselves! Check it out!! It’s on their myspace!
http://www.myspace.com/stillremains
February 5th, 2009 at 3:34
I have to agree that their new album, is lacking. I did enjoy the video blogs on My Space, Thank you for the drop! I hope they come out with a better album next time. I will still be waiting!
February 24th, 2009 at 5:10
I have not heard the new album yet, but also would be interested to see why you gave it a bad review. I will have to check it out soon.
Thanks!
March 7th, 2009 at 2:44
It is probably t the band’s recent personnel change that have had something to do with all of that? What’s the background of the new keyboard and players?
March 13th, 2009 at 6:37
I never heard this band before, but i have heard from people and friends that it is a great band. They have also told me that their videos are awesome.
April 8th, 2009 at 20:00
Simply astounding. Liked this article. Thank you for posting it
May 8th, 2009 at 17:20
Hi, it’s a very nice post. I like music very much because music is sole of our feelings.Your album is one of the great album have very good collection of songs.
May 15th, 2009 at 18:05
I love it,
May 15th, 2009 at 18:07
Love to hear the music but did’t listen about them, no way.
June 27th, 2009 at 14:59
Hi,
I think music is a nice think of human who forget all tension.So we want enjoy with music.