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Album Review: Woe, Is Me, Daybreak

 

By Justin Bauer, OOTB Publications

Daybreak—the new record from Woe, Is Me on SBG Records—explores themes of a personal nature. 


The pivoting between metal growls/screams and clean vocals offers something for everyone in a community that often demands one specific take from a band in the sea of sub genres that make up the metal community, and I respect what’s done here. 


The juxtaposition of hard hitting metal and borderline commercially accessible choruses blends grit with beauty, and it’s done in a tactful way that is impressive. 


-“The Opener” lulls the listener into a false sense of security with its gentle piano that creeps a sentimental feeling into those first moments of the song. Though this instrumental is less than a minute, the feeling it conveys lingers as the album progresses into territory more aligned with the abrasive tendencies of metal. I love these little pieces that show different sides of bands like this. 


-“Here’s To Me (A Story To Tell, Pt. 2)” opens with a couple measures of an electronic beat that reminds me of 90’s industrial before the metal kicks in. Lines like “I’d burn the whole world down if you asked me to” touches on wasted potential, as the singer focuses on surviving a failure of sorts and finding a reason to live for oneself. The song concludes with the line, “here’s to me, it is what it is,” all but confirming a new day is worth while in spite of what’s transpired. 


-“Seminole Blvd” (Ft. Abandcalledlove.) conveys the twang undertones of county-esq themes set to hard rock. This song explores the hardships of being a working class musician in pursuit of the dream. 


-“Borrowed Time” hits hard and fast. A personal favorite, this song will move people in a concert setting. The sleek production is top notch as it pivots between the hard edge of metal and airy guitars carried by electronic beats in the verses. 


-“Bedtime Stories” is a sentimental track that hit me. As a parent, reading to my children is one of the peaks where I personally feel good about the work I do as a father. “My only saving grace was reading you your bedtime stories” comes from a place of hurt, as I imagine the complications of being a parent who is on the road and misses out on pivotal moments. I resent how much I miss out on with the job I have, so imagining being absent for long periods of time pulls at something that is difficult to reconcile. 


-“Devil In My Mind” deals with matters of temptation in the face of long held sobriety. The line, “whisky in hand after three years sober,” is striking. No matter how long one goes without, the lingering temptation remains, and to find oneself in this predicament is downright frightening for the recovering addict. 


This collection of songs is my first experience with Woe, Is Me, but it won’t be my last. I think a dive into their back catalog is merited after the experience I had listening to Daybreak. This is the kind of metal that’ll attract dedicated fans of the genre and casual listeners, alike.  


Tracklist


The Opener

Here's To Me (A Story To Tell, Pt. 2)

Seminola Blvd (Ft. Abandcalledlove.)

Borrowed Time

Hell House

FU2Then

Bedtime Stories

Devil In My Mind

Odd Behavior (Ft. AJ Rebollo | Bad Wolves)

Sick Joke

The Closer


Get Album


https://merchnow.com/products/wim0dayb00-dd


https://merchnow.com/collections/woe-is-me


Woe, Is Me:

Michael Bohn - Vocals

Hance Alligood - Vocals

Kevin Hanson - Guitar

Andrew Paiano - Guitar

Matthew Whyde - Drums 


Connect with Woe, Is Me


https://www.wimatl.com/

 


 

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