90
This review was released on Sunday, May 6, 2012.
Amaryllis
Shinedown
Atlantic Records
Released Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Awarded The Best Album of the Year by Holy Visage in 2012
Holy Visage rates this album:
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ - Excellent
Collected score:
54/60
After four long years of waiting, Shinedown returns with a vigorous, empowering, brilliant album. Amaryllis is named after a flower that grows in desolate environment, only growing at one certain time annually. The flower rises through adversity and makes sure the world knows its presence. Shinedown does not disappoint with their brand new album, as the listener becomes infatuated with opening aggression through closing brilliance. Though this album falls short of its predecessor, it is a brilliantly composed work of art by one of modern music's finest acts.
1. "Adrenaline"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The album opens with a loud, fast-paced thriller. The song features shredding vocals from lead vocalist Brent Smith, intense guitar, thundering bass, and clashing drums. The song is about the moment in your life where you feel as if you cannot move forward. The song speaks as the voice inside of your head that tells you to be the person who faces adversity and goes where nobody has ever reached before. This song is a brilliant way to open Amaryllis, and is one of the best tracks on the album.
2. "Bully"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The album continues with another hard rock anthem. Lead vocalist Brent Smith writes in a manner different from previous songs. "Bully" focuses on the emotional outcomes from bullying. Transforming the subject in a positive direction, "Bully" reveals that even though the hostile routine continues, there is always a way to stand up and overcome the problem. This song serves as a motivational anthem to anybody who has ever been affected by bullying. While this song is not Shinedown’s heaviest song ever recorded, it still packs a punch and delivers an impact with an unmistakable message, as it does not condone violence, but condones survival. The song's motivating lyrics are accompanied with one of a kind vocals, loud guitar riffs, thumping bass, and clashing drums, making it one of the best songs on the album.
3. "Amaryllis"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Awarded The Best Song of the Year by Holy Visage in 2012
The title track of the album brings down the pace, but increases the passion. The song is named after a flower that grows in desolate environment, only growing at one certain time annually. The flower rises through adversity and makes sure the world knows its presence. The song is about two people finding each other through the tribulations of the world as they conquer all obstacles in their way. The song has an atmospheric, Southern rock feel with outstanding vocals from Brent Smith and talent from every instrument that the song is composed of. This song is the best song on Amaryllis, and one of the best songs ever created by Shinedown.
4. "Unity"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The album continues with a radio-friendly, uplifting anthem. Lead vocalist Brent Smith encourages the world to rising together and form a single unity of love. The song encourages listeners to halt seeking flaws within each other, and instead appreciate what's right in the world and love one another. The song is one of the best songs on this album, consisting of outstanding vocals and instrumental composition performed by musical geniuses. The song will simultaneously have you head-banging to the music and give you goosebumps from the motivational lyrics.
5. "Enemies"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★
This track is easily one of the hardest tracks on the album, slapping the listener in the face as soon as the song begins with loud guitar and clashing drums, accompanied with intense vocals and aggressive lyrics. The song speak of a corrupt person who is morally unconcerned about anybody else but their self This song proves that Shinedown still has the hard rock passion that we all love.
6. "I'm Not Alright"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This song is a unique yet beautiful ballad from this band. The track features loud instruments and intense vocals with the introduction of a trombone in the background. This song is about being comfortable in your own skin, and being proud of the person you are. The song is the most adventurous song that the band has ever created, and is one of the best tracks on the album.
7. "Nowhere Kids"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The pace and intensity return with the seventh track of Amaryllis. The song is one of the most aggressive songs on the album, with intense lyrics and clamorous instruments. The song declares the fact that conversations between the human race are slowly becoming more reliant on technology and less reliant on face-to-face communication. The song foreshadows a communication breakdown in the future of the human race. The song features the best pre-chorus on the album, followed by a roaring chorus. This song is irresistible to head bang to.
8. "Miracle"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The album continues with another radio-friendly ballad. The song was written by lead vocalist Brent Smith about his son. In the song, he sings about how his son saved him from his vanity, and ultimately gave him a reason to live again. The song has been favorited by the band, and is without a doubt one of our favorites on the album.
9. "Follow You Down"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★
The first piano-based song on the album finally appears near the end of Amaryllis. The album builds up to a louder, guitar-based chorus, along with crisp drums and thrilling vocals. In the song, lead vocalist Brent Smith preaches about having absolute devotion to a person, whether it be a friend, family member, or lover. He sings about about being by this person's side through thick and thin, and willing to follow them to the ends of the earth.
10. "For My Sake"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★
The slow pace meets a loud chorus in the album's tenth track. The song tells a story of watching a loved one come apart, and turn out to not be the person that they seemed to be. The victim of this song refuses to go down the road of self-destruction with them. This song has a unique sound compared to the other tracks on this album, and is a solid piece of work from a brilliant band.
11. "My Name (Wearing Me Out)"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★
The penultimate track of Amaryllis just so happens to be the most brutal track on the album. Lead vocalist Brent Smith sings this song with great intensity, and aggressive guitars, heavy bass, and clashing drums back him up. The song makes a point to somebody that consistently tears a person down and knows how to get under their skin. An overall brilliant song, and definitely the heaviest track on the album.
12. "Through the Ghost"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The album ends with a haunting, acoustic-based song with angelic vocals, elegant guitar strumming, and a magnificent orchestra. The song basically tells a story of a person who looks at their self in the mirror and does not recognize who they are any longer. This work of art is a song about self-awareness, reminding the listener that they cannot always be strong, for everything that is good has a hint bit of evil, and everything evil has a hint of good. This song is one of the best tracks on Amaryllis, and is the most perfect way to end such a brilliant album.
This album is one of the greatest albums of this modern era of music. We highly recommend the purchased of this album. With Amaryllis, Shinedown proves that they are a solid act that can perfect anything from radio-friendly ballads to head-banging anthems. This album is worth every penny that it's worth, and you will not have any regrets after purchasing this brilliant work of art.
Top songs of this album:
1. "Amaryllis"
2. "Unity"
3. "Bully"
4. "Adrenaline"
5. "Miracle"
This review was written by Austin Lovelace.
Shinedown
Atlantic Records
Released Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Awarded The Best Album of the Year by Holy Visage in 2012
Holy Visage rates this album:
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ - Excellent
Collected score:
54/60
After four long years of waiting, Shinedown returns with a vigorous, empowering, brilliant album. Amaryllis is named after a flower that grows in desolate environment, only growing at one certain time annually. The flower rises through adversity and makes sure the world knows its presence. Shinedown does not disappoint with their brand new album, as the listener becomes infatuated with opening aggression through closing brilliance. Though this album falls short of its predecessor, it is a brilliantly composed work of art by one of modern music's finest acts.
1. "Adrenaline"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The album opens with a loud, fast-paced thriller. The song features shredding vocals from lead vocalist Brent Smith, intense guitar, thundering bass, and clashing drums. The song is about the moment in your life where you feel as if you cannot move forward. The song speaks as the voice inside of your head that tells you to be the person who faces adversity and goes where nobody has ever reached before. This song is a brilliant way to open Amaryllis, and is one of the best tracks on the album.
2. "Bully"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The album continues with another hard rock anthem. Lead vocalist Brent Smith writes in a manner different from previous songs. "Bully" focuses on the emotional outcomes from bullying. Transforming the subject in a positive direction, "Bully" reveals that even though the hostile routine continues, there is always a way to stand up and overcome the problem. This song serves as a motivational anthem to anybody who has ever been affected by bullying. While this song is not Shinedown’s heaviest song ever recorded, it still packs a punch and delivers an impact with an unmistakable message, as it does not condone violence, but condones survival. The song's motivating lyrics are accompanied with one of a kind vocals, loud guitar riffs, thumping bass, and clashing drums, making it one of the best songs on the album.
3. "Amaryllis"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Awarded The Best Song of the Year by Holy Visage in 2012
The title track of the album brings down the pace, but increases the passion. The song is named after a flower that grows in desolate environment, only growing at one certain time annually. The flower rises through adversity and makes sure the world knows its presence. The song is about two people finding each other through the tribulations of the world as they conquer all obstacles in their way. The song has an atmospheric, Southern rock feel with outstanding vocals from Brent Smith and talent from every instrument that the song is composed of. This song is the best song on Amaryllis, and one of the best songs ever created by Shinedown.
4. "Unity"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The album continues with a radio-friendly, uplifting anthem. Lead vocalist Brent Smith encourages the world to rising together and form a single unity of love. The song encourages listeners to halt seeking flaws within each other, and instead appreciate what's right in the world and love one another. The song is one of the best songs on this album, consisting of outstanding vocals and instrumental composition performed by musical geniuses. The song will simultaneously have you head-banging to the music and give you goosebumps from the motivational lyrics.
5. "Enemies"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★
This track is easily one of the hardest tracks on the album, slapping the listener in the face as soon as the song begins with loud guitar and clashing drums, accompanied with intense vocals and aggressive lyrics. The song speak of a corrupt person who is morally unconcerned about anybody else but their self This song proves that Shinedown still has the hard rock passion that we all love.
6. "I'm Not Alright"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This song is a unique yet beautiful ballad from this band. The track features loud instruments and intense vocals with the introduction of a trombone in the background. This song is about being comfortable in your own skin, and being proud of the person you are. The song is the most adventurous song that the band has ever created, and is one of the best tracks on the album.
7. "Nowhere Kids"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The pace and intensity return with the seventh track of Amaryllis. The song is one of the most aggressive songs on the album, with intense lyrics and clamorous instruments. The song declares the fact that conversations between the human race are slowly becoming more reliant on technology and less reliant on face-to-face communication. The song foreshadows a communication breakdown in the future of the human race. The song features the best pre-chorus on the album, followed by a roaring chorus. This song is irresistible to head bang to.
8. "Miracle"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The album continues with another radio-friendly ballad. The song was written by lead vocalist Brent Smith about his son. In the song, he sings about how his son saved him from his vanity, and ultimately gave him a reason to live again. The song has been favorited by the band, and is without a doubt one of our favorites on the album.
9. "Follow You Down"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★
The first piano-based song on the album finally appears near the end of Amaryllis. The album builds up to a louder, guitar-based chorus, along with crisp drums and thrilling vocals. In the song, lead vocalist Brent Smith preaches about having absolute devotion to a person, whether it be a friend, family member, or lover. He sings about about being by this person's side through thick and thin, and willing to follow them to the ends of the earth.
10. "For My Sake"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★
The slow pace meets a loud chorus in the album's tenth track. The song tells a story of watching a loved one come apart, and turn out to not be the person that they seemed to be. The victim of this song refuses to go down the road of self-destruction with them. This song has a unique sound compared to the other tracks on this album, and is a solid piece of work from a brilliant band.
11. "My Name (Wearing Me Out)"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★
The penultimate track of Amaryllis just so happens to be the most brutal track on the album. Lead vocalist Brent Smith sings this song with great intensity, and aggressive guitars, heavy bass, and clashing drums back him up. The song makes a point to somebody that consistently tears a person down and knows how to get under their skin. An overall brilliant song, and definitely the heaviest track on the album.
12. "Through the Ghost"
Holy Visage rates this song: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The album ends with a haunting, acoustic-based song with angelic vocals, elegant guitar strumming, and a magnificent orchestra. The song basically tells a story of a person who looks at their self in the mirror and does not recognize who they are any longer. This work of art is a song about self-awareness, reminding the listener that they cannot always be strong, for everything that is good has a hint bit of evil, and everything evil has a hint of good. This song is one of the best tracks on Amaryllis, and is the most perfect way to end such a brilliant album.
This album is one of the greatest albums of this modern era of music. We highly recommend the purchased of this album. With Amaryllis, Shinedown proves that they are a solid act that can perfect anything from radio-friendly ballads to head-banging anthems. This album is worth every penny that it's worth, and you will not have any regrets after purchasing this brilliant work of art.
Top songs of this album:
1. "Amaryllis"
2. "Unity"
3. "Bully"
4. "Adrenaline"
5. "Miracle"
This review was written by Austin Lovelace.