The Word Alive Keep It Real On New Album

The Word Alive have always been a very eclectic band. Their music combined metalcore along with post-hardcore and experimental metal. Their first two records had a more experimental sound. On Real, their third album, The Word Alive focus more on metalcore with experimental influences.
This album, unlike their previous records 2010's Deceiver and 2012's Life Cycles don't have as many filler songs. Every song on this record is memorable and good.
From the melodic moments like "Lighthouse" and second single "Broken Circuit" to heavier moments like third single "Glass Castle" and "Your Mirage," the band do it all.
This is mostly done with help from singer Telle Smith. Smith's vocals can go from screams to singing at the drop of a hat and he does so very well.
The album's two best songs are the closers. "To Struggle and Claw My Way" is a heavy song that deals with tackling haters and living life to it's fullest. "Collapsing" is a power ballad that recalls early Brand New, Taking Back Sunday and The Used. This song is gorgeous. Smith's clean vocals are great but his screams are really what steal the show on this track. They sound so emotional and painful and truly convey how broken he feels.
Another highlight is the album's opener and first single "Play the Victim." This song recalls past hits 'The Hounds of Anubis" and "Dragon Spell" off their first and second album's respectively.
Real is a great album and goes to show that The Word Alive are not going anywhere. They can keep growing and making great music.

Tonight Alive Release Great Single

Tonight Alive have had a short rise to fame. In 2010 they released their phenomenal debut EP All Shapes And Disguises and then another EP Consider This just months later. Both releases had strong tracks and showcased the band's energetic and emotional pop-punk in the vein of Paramore. The band released their debut album What Are You So Scared Of? in October of 2011 and February 2012 in the U.S. The album featured more of Tonight Alive's uplifting and rocking sound as well as a guest appearance by Blink 182 vocalist Mark Hoppus on a rerecorded version of "Thank You & Goodnight" from their second EP. The album had everything from fast-paced love songs ("Starlight," "Safe and Sound"), songs about struggling with life ("Breaking & Entering," "Let it Land") and one achingly sad and gorgeous ballad dedicated to a deceased friend ("Amelia"). The album cemented the band spots touring with everybody from The Word Alive to The Summer Set and made them Warped Tour darlings playing the 2012 tour and getting scheduled to play the 2013 tour.
The band released an acoustic version of their debut during the summer in 2012 and then they announced the recording of a new album. Then in February 2013 the band announced their new single "Breakdown" which would be released the next month. The song features vocals from Good Charlotte singer Benji Madden. The band said that the song only to tide fans over until the new album comes out this year sometime.
"Breakdown" is a great example of what make Tonight Alive songs so irresistible. The song, which features lyrics about a long distance relationship, is very catchy. Singer Jenna McDougall's voice is perfect and she conveys the emotion very well. And that is the key word with most Tonight Alive songs, emotion. McDougall always gets her point across vocally. She is one of those singers that makes the listener feel something. You really can feel where she is coming from on her songs.
By the time Madden's vocals kick in during the bridge of the song, the listener is sold. While it is kind of creepy that McDougall is always paired with a duet partner older than her, she still makes the song. Madden is 34 and Hoppus is 40 while McDougall is in her 20s.
The song is sure to keep fans busy while Tonight Alive record and release their next pop-punk masterpiece. This band are on their way to a long career.

The Word Alive release cohesive album

There are a plethora of metalcore bands that use quirky synthesizers and good cop/bad cop vocals to make decent albums. The Word Alive released their second full length record last month and the album is a step up from their earlier material. Life Cycles is a much more cohesive album than their first record, Deceiver. That album had a more experimental side to it and while Life Cycles does tread the experimental waters, this album is much more about punching the listener in the ears. 
The best part of any The Word Alive song is vocalist Tyler "Telle" Smith. He sings the choruses with such emotion that it's hard to not have your heartstrings tugged on. On songs like "For Your Health" and the album closer, "Astral Plane" that Smith is truly at his best. He sings with such sadness on the latter that it's hard to listen to, yet beautiful so you can't stop. It calls to mind the balladry of The Used on their laster albums. 
Of course the band also know how to rock, "Wishmaster" is sure to get even the cool kids sitting in the back of the crowd into full mosh mode. "Bar Fight" is possibly the heaviest song on the record and a headbanger. The verses barely let up and then Smith's clean vocals on the chorus provide temporary shelter before the storm sets back in and Smith's brutal screams are pelting on your head, not giving you a break from the assault.
The best song on the record is the first song "Dragon Spell." The piano tinkles that play throughout the track add a creepy tone to the song. "Show no mercy," Smith screams during the first verse, setting the tone for the rest of the album that Smith and co. will not be letting up for the next thirteen songs.
All in all, Life Cycles is sure to gain The Word Alive new fans as well as cement their current fans at the band's side.