An Ocean Between Us [Import]

i got into this band back in 2004 and was obviously blown away. eagerly awaiting for "shadows are security" when i caught word that they were writing material for the next album and again i was in awe. everything about this band is top notch. inciteful lyrics, stellar musicianship, high energy rythyms and heart felt melodicsm.. as i lay dying in a nutshell. now you have to give credit where it's due, i hate it when i hear some reviewer saying nothing but terrible things about this band because they're all christians. that's just being narrow minded and ignorant.
now with that being said "an ocean between us" raises the bar again. they've obviously changed their sound but kept their signature elements. the vocals are more discernable and there are more sung vocals too with out sounding like your generic "metalcore" wannabe band currently out there ripping off every good riff from as i lay dying. this time around there's even a ballad type song on this disc and it just proves that whatever this band wants to do it can and make it sound so incredibly good.
if you're into extreeeeeeeme music this is a must have.

I have no qualifications for reviewing this album as a musical expert or critic. I can, however, tell you what I think as a long-time lover of metal and rock. I first came across AILD through their video "The Darkest Nights," went out and bought "Shadows Are Security"--and was blown away! Not only do these guys bring high energy to their hard-edged sound, they add melodic vocals and chord changes.

"An Ocean Between Us" is just as good as the previous album. It doesn't have the rawness that pervaded "Frail Words Collapse," yet the relentless onslaught remains. The lyrics, as always, are thought-provoking, full of symbolism, and the music has some new things while not deviating too far from their established sound. I still haven't decided if this is better than SAS, but it hasn't worn out yet. I'm still listening, still discovering new things, still loving AILD.

If you're a fan, this is some good stuff. If you're just getting introduced, AOBU is a great place to begin.

After 30 reviews and an average rating of 4 1/2 stars, that alone should tell you this album is worth checking out. I consider myself a lifelong metal connoisseur dating back the the early 80's so I think I'm as qualified as anyone to speak about quality metal albums. I don't claim to be THE authority on metal by any means, but I've been around long enough to have a historical perspective on what good metal and bad metal is. Younger generations, through no fault of their own simply do not have the benefit of hindsight when it comes to rating new material. They often don't know a recycled or ripped off product when they hear it because they aren't old enough. It doesn't make their opinion less valid mind you, just less informed.

That said, there are a lot of metal bands out there to sift through from all sorts of sub-genres and styles. So many sound the same and so much of the music is utterly forgettable. Rare is a band that stands out so clearly that it warrants across the board recommendation regardless of your specific tastes in metal. As I Lay Dying is that band and An Ocean Between Us is that album.

Incredible musicianship, incredible vocal work, pensive lyrics, gargantuan riffs, memorable solos, melodic sensibility (yes, actual melody has been heard in a metal album again!) and impeccable song structure make this album stand at the top of the list of metal releases in 2007. AOBU grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go until the final track ends. Expect to hear much more from As I Lay Dying. I suspect the best of this bunch is yet to come.