Here we have “Struggle Well” of Mouth Of The South, a groove-filled metalcore band from Texas. First of all, where does the name ‘Struggle Well’ come from, what does it mean? Here is what the band self explains on the back of the cd cover in a bit shorter version: “We are not called to hide our failures nor pretend to be perfect as Christ was perfect. We are called to repent and pursue Christ. We are called to be honest and vulnerable even if it seems shameful or emberrassing to do so. It is a struggle to confess our sins and pray for one another. It is a struggle to love someone when you would rather hate them. It is a struggle to respond to someone rather than react. It is a struggle to forgive others as Christ forgave us. It is a struggle to humble ourselfs daily and realize that we are all just beggars, but some of us can point to where the bread is… This is what it means to struggle well.”
This makes instantly clear that MOTS are devout followers of Christ. In my opinion they are very bold and hold nothing back lyrically, a bit in the same spirit as bands like For Today and Sleeping Giant.
As you can see further at the end of this review is that this is not their first album, they released two ep’s and a cd before this one. But “Struggle Well” is their first at Facedown records.
And now for the actual album. There is no doubt that we are dealing with a classic metalcore band here. Right from the start with the song ‘Blind Guides’ we have a song filled with breakdowns and some realy original grooves. The clean vocals are not as clean as we are used to by some other metalcore bands where it sounds sometimes more like a boyband. Let’s call it rawcleans. (Did I just invent a new word?) Then followed by ‘Running Scared’ a more uptempo song. The songs are sometimes supplemented by electronical sounds.
The song ‘Dry Bones’ has a more hardcore sound from time to time.
The fifth song ‘Simply Grace’ is more a sort of spoken word where a new oneliner is born as far as I’m concerned: “Trade your trying for trusting.” It’s inspiring and encouraging it really touches me everytime I listen to it.
It takes too much time to write something about every song but believe me that the album rages forth with a never ending energy. Another highlight that I feel I have to mention is the song ‘Porcelain Faith’ full of tempo changes and it is not hard to guess what the lyrics are about….
Last song of the album ‘Nameless: Faceless’ is again a breakdown filled typical metalcore song. A worthy closure of a great album. This album will not get a price for the most original album of the year but it is welldone and with a passion which is rare nowadays.
Rating: 8/10
Written by: René Woning
Track listing:
1. Blind Guides (4:06)
2. Running Scared (2:54)
3. Dry Bones (3:10)
4. Good Intentions (4:01)
5. Simply Grace (5:09)
6. Idle Hands (3:48)
7. Hollow Veins (4:19)
8. Endless Cycle (2:19)
9. Porcelain Faith (4:39)
10. Nameless: Faceless (3:10)
Band members:
Vocals- Josiah Lyle
Guitar- Tanner Allen
Guitar- Mike Butler
Bass- Colton Bartholet
Drums – Garrett Metzger
Discography:
“Manifestations” (EP – 2009)
“Of Dust” (EP – 2012)
“Transparency” (CD – 2013)
“Struggle Well” (CD – 2014)
Record label: Facedown Records Aug. 2014
Weblinks: Facebook / Twitter / Website
Buy the album here:
Holland: First Paradox
Norway: Nordic Mission
Lyric video for ‘Blind Guides’: