As Cities Burn
Son, I Loved You at Your Darkest

In August 2002, As Cities Burn was forged from the remnants of several local south Louisiana bands. The band quickly became known and recognized on the Baton Rouge scene for their passionate and energetic live show. After releasing a couple of ep's, the band traded in their jobs and time with their girlfriends for a life in a van, in order to focus on spending as much time on the road as possible. By 2004, the band had covered the entire nation, playing nearly 100 shows in just 6 months and all this with no label support. As Cities Burn's main focus is to present a positive message of hope and acceptance found in the life of Jesus Christ, to all who are willing to listen. The band strives for purity and freedom in their live show desiring only that the audience receive a small glimpse of the passion that the members feel for the music they they create. (from their site)

Musically
As soon as the first track, "Thus From My Lips, By Yours, My Sin Is Purged", you hear three key elements of this amazing album; emotion, compassion and METAL! This is a great setting for the emotional hardcore phenomena that is known as As Cites Burn. "Love Jealous One, Love" is a unique song in that the band splits the song in half, first half being hardcore and the second being emo. "Bloodsucker Pt. II" brings in a more screamo element. It as if the band is setting up the album with the first few tracks, showing the diversity and then slowly going into a cohesive melodic metal rhythm. "The Widow" falls back into the emo vibe with great guitar work being displayed as a highlight during the track. "Wake Dead Man, Walk" brings in a deeper style approach with hard hitting drums and intense bass lines. "Admission: Regret" goes into an even deeper and darker focus with a much more dark metal approach. The instrumentation is amazing here and gives you an appreciation for the talent of this basically new band. Hard core styles have become almost overplayed and metalcore becoming a generic term at times.  As Cities Burn break down those walls and show true musical diversity in one of the fastest growing genres of music. Songs like "One: Twentyseven" gives the intensity and melodic rhythm all at the same time. 

Lyrically/Vocally
The band is very clear on their lyrical approach and that is spreading a message of hope to a world that needs Jesus. This album screams a message to an environment that doesn't want to listen and is happier at times sitting in their own self-pity.  The songs are filled with an incredible message of being torn and pulled in all directions like two incredible tracks, "Incomplete is a Leech" and "Bloodsucker Pt. II".   Often the singer realizes we need to just be slapped around to wake up and live for Jesus. Songs like "Wake Dead Man, Wake" and "Admission: Regret" give an amazing testimony to those that have fallen into temptation but of a Father there to forgive us, cleanse us and recharge us. Vocally, led by T.J. Bonnette and backed by Cody Bonnette, this duo is a complete package.  The vocal range of T.J. makes you feel the compassion and emotion he is feeling. The screaming is amazing and a perfect blend for an emotional metal album. 

As Cities Burn will be a band we will be hearing from for awhile on SolidState.  The diversity in music and extremely well rounded lyrics are an amazing combination that is hard to find.  Some of the best emotion I have felt from a hardcore band in a long time!