Best Albums of the 2010s: Number 6 - "Wovenwar" by Wovenwar

The 2014 debut from the band that rose phoenix-like from the ashes of As I Lay Dying is the next in my list of the best albums of the last decade.

Surveying the mess left behind in the wake of Tim Lambesis' arrest and imprisonment for attempted murder, the remaining members of As I Lay Dying teamed up with Shane Blay of Oh Sleeper to create what is almost the best metal album of the last ten years.

Retaining the power of their former band, whilst vastly more melodic this became an instant classic in my collection and deserves a far larger audience that in achieved.

Using the classic moody instrumental introduction before firing into the staggeringly good 1-2 punch of "All Rise" and "Death to Rights" this is punch the air stuff.
Breath is drawn during "The Tempest" although the liquid guitar work of Nick Hipa & Phil Sgrosso still shines.

The heights are climbed again with "Movin' Up" and especially "Sight of Shore", possibly the best song of the whole album. Great riffage, great melody, great musicianship; simply fantastic. "Father/Son" lowers the volume, if not the quality, to start with before turning into a surging and uplifting piece. "Profane" takes the power and energy back up to ten, before "Archers" lays more melodic guitar work on top of that power.

Criticisms? "Ruined Ends" and "Identity" do not stand as tall as the rest of the album,before "Matter of Time" and "Prophets" bring proceeding to a powerful close. Overall, however, the whole still lingers long in the mind. When I did a mental, top of my head list of the best albums of the 2010's, this was one that immediately sprang to mind

The sadness here is that is was lighting in a bottle. Seeing them in London when they played every song from this album is one of the most memorable gigs I've been to, and left me desperate for more. Sadly, their second album "Honor Is Dead" was far less melodic, and the discord that afflicted the creation of it can heard. After a reconciliation with a repentant Lambesis on his release, (the group therapy session is on YouTube, and it is staggering to see), As I Lay Dying reformed, but I found their 2019 release "Shaped By Fire" largely disappointing.

Seriously, this is one of the best metal albums you've probably never heard, give it a listen and perhaps you'll join me in hoping one day they'll give if another go.

"I've raised my sail to coming storm or calm alike......"

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