Review: Oh, Sleeper – Children Of Fire
“Micah’s lyricism has the capability for amazing storytelling…”
Artist Name: Oh, Sleeper
Album Name: Children of Fire
Year: 2011
Genre: Metalcore
Label: Solid State Records
Oh, Sleeper is another one of those “Christ-core” metal bands that is signed to Solid State Records. They have a similar sound to Norma Jean, Underoath (Ø (Disambiguation), not really the rest of their material), and The Chariot. That being said, don’t expect to find anything different here. The good news is if you’re into the dissonant melodies that these kinds of bands concoct, then, you’re definitely in for a treat with Oh, Sleeper’s latest release, Children of Fire.
Children of Fire serves as Oh, Sleeper’s first impression with me having not heard any of their previous material. Since this is an introduction, why do I feel like I’ve heard all of this before? These guys aren’t pioneering anything new. Their sound is definitely inspired by many of the bands who share their label, and I’m definitely wondering if Solid State is capable of being anything other than a factory that promotes and pumps out carbon copies of their previously successful bands. That being said, if you dispose of any expectation to find something new, then, you’ll definitely find an album that, while creatively restrained, possesses a certain appeal – even if that appeal is drenched to the point of drowning in Christian beliefs.
Micah Kinard, Oh, Sleeper’s lead vocalist, has a scream that is passionate, and resonates well with the instruments. His anthem-like chants fit the mood of the music and they compliment breakdowns particularly well. I found that Micah’s lyricism has the capability for amazing storytelling, but they’re so unfortunately muddled by his beliefs that some of these tracks come across as more of a sermon than a thought. The rest of the time I found that his lyrics are veiled, and they’re a bit hard to decipher at points when he’s not blatantly beating the listener with the idea of finding God.
The guitar, at points, is good. Not incredible, not horrible, just good. I guarantee you’ve heard similar riffs, similar structure, and similar surges between distortion and acoustic littered throughout every track. The drum tracks are obviously varied, demonstrating a high level of dexterity between rhythms and complimenting the overall heavy tone of the album.
You won’t find anything new, by this time I ought to have hammered that into your head. You will find a band that, in spite of their similar sound, eases its way out above the rest, because of the passion that lies behind their music. I don’t mind bands with beliefs, some of my favorite artists are on Solid State, but Oh, Sleeper begins to eagerly touch my limits at points. It’s not for me, but I can see where the appeal lies. Not too bad.
Best Tracks: ‘Endseekers’, ‘Shed Your Soul’, ‘The Marriage of Steel and Skin’, ‘Chewing The Stitch’, and ‘Children of Fire’
60/100
- Palmer Sturman
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I don’t agree with this review at all. You should have at least listened to their previous album ‘Son of the morning’ before doing a review on the album, then maybe you would have found it easier to decipher.
Oh, sleeper always has a theme to their albums, once you get the theme, you’ll understand the meaning to every song.
I wouldn’t say it’s exactly something I’ve heard many times before. The music is chaotic, yet controlled, which I totally love. The vocals are brilliant (unlike a lot of metalcore bands, Shane’s voice is not whiny). They have 2 excellent acoustic tracks. Only problem is you can’t really hear the bass.
I don’t think they shove their religion down our throats, remember, this is a story. If I had to write about how brilliant the story telling and the passion behind the album is, it would probably be another 10 comments.
Best tracks to me were: hush Yael; which is based on a attack in Israel in 1979 where a family’s home was invaded by terrorists. Also, The Family Ruin, Children Of Fire and The Marriage Of Steel And Skin
I think the album deserves a 90/100
Sharon,
First, thank you for taking the time to comment on the article. I totally respect your opinion and I appreciate your input.
Maybe you’re right, I might have been able to get more out of this album if I had listened to their previous material, but that’s the struggle of any art form. It has to be able to grab the attention of both new and old audiences alike. I shouldn’t have to listen to their previous material to truly grasp the tone of the album. I love concepts. They make for some of the most memorable albums in my opinion, but look at artists like Coheed and Cambria. Their and concepts extend between all their works, and I didn’t have to be a fan of their first album to appreciate their later material. The same goes for a lot of bands that have released concept albums.
I agree with you that the music is chaotic, yet controlled. I’ve pointed that out with a lot of the artists I’ve reviewed with Solid State. That’s where the problem lies. All the artists maintain this characteristic and it becomes tiresome. I like controlled chaos, in fact I’m a huge fan. Dillinger Escape Plan is what comes to mind when I think controlled chaos, mainly because they’re a band that help pioneer that sound. The vocals are very good. In fact I take time to compliment his Micah’s vocals. If you need that cited you can find it in the article above.
I stand by my statement that they shove religion down the listeners throat. Trust me I am very open to religion and spirituality, but this pushes my buttons. Every character within these songs seem to find an answer in either the acceptance of God or violence. From a lyricists perspective this becomes tiring, especially when I don’t necessarily agree with the statements being made. The whole point of writing a concept album is to tell a story and the first rule of telling a story is to create a universe that lives and breathes. To do this you have to create something that aspires to the human condition. This cannot be accomplished with the one-dimensional characters that this album presents.
I acknowledge that there is plenty of passion to be found on this album. In fact I use that word specifically:
“You will find a band that, in spite of their similar sound, eases its way out above the rest, because of the passion that lies behind their music.”
Just because the album received a sixty out of one-hundred doesn’t mean it’s bad. I just didn’t think it brought anything new to the table. You can’t tell me that this album doesn’t present a lot of elements that you’ve already heard before. A few tracks reminded me of stuff that I had heard on Underoath’s latest release – especially the electronic intros and structures of certain songs. I also state that I can see where the appeal lies, and I really can. I can understand why people would appreciate this album, but as a reviewer I must remain objective and try to analyze this from an open and unbiased perspective. Just because this genre generally appeals to me doesn’t mean I can score it above what it deserves when judged objectively.
Thanks again for taking the time to write and feel free to continue to give me your opinions.
How can you claim to be “objective and try to analyze this from an open and unbiased perspective,” when you talk of how you dont agree with the lryics by stating “they’re so unfortunately muddled by his beliefs”? At the end you do state that its juts not for you, and that is fine. However, you could have had you dissagreement qith the message itself come out a bit more softly, if it even had too come out at all.
[...] their latest music video for ‘Endseekers’. The track comes off of their most recent effort, Children of Fire. Watch the video [...]
[...] Do you feel Children of Fire is the best representative of the sound Oh, Sleeper is after? Or are you guys still searching for [...]
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