Rosesdead
Stages
6.2
I’ve managed to accidentally see Rosesdead live about eight times. I’ve never gone out of my way to see a show because they’ve been on the bill; they always just happened to be opening for a headlining band that I really wanted to see. Consequently, I’ve never been able to properly enjoy their set. Rosesdead is without a doubt a tight, energetic live act, but I always found myself waiting for them to wrap things up, as I knew that the band I really came to see was on next.
Unfortunately, listening to Stages, the first full-length release from Rosesdead, is much the same experience as seeing them live: waiting for the first group to finish up so the headlining act can go on; only in this case, there’s no headlining band that makes it worth sitting through the opener.
Rosesdead is certainly formed by a competent group of musicians and the sense of melody found on Stages is able to hold its own against the majority of mainstays in this hybrid genre of metal, screamo, and hardcore. The flow of the album is also worth noting, as each song blends seamlessly into the next, successfully creating a disc that needs to be listened to as a whole, rather than piece-by-piece. However, each song is infused with specific hooks and dynamics that allow them all to remain relatively distinct. Vocally, Stages is par for the course. Frontman Matthew Wedge supplies a serviceable low-pitched scream that provides the album with the appropriate amount of aggression to counter the oodles of melody. What I appreciate the most is the complete lack of sugarcoated clean singing. Rosesdead seems to have been able to resist the urge to throw in poppy choruses, which is commendable due to the ease with which they could have.
Despite all of these positives, Stages will still never able to completely grab and hold my attention. It’s lacking the genuine underlying heaviness and mood that’s so essential in the creation of a memorable album. Throughout each tune, it sounds as though the musicians are simply going through the motions, nothing more, nothing less. I also couldn’t help but think of the band as Misery Signals’ softer, less thought-provoking little brother, which doesn't aid their cause.
If you’re in search of a quick fix of metal in this particular subgenre, Rosesdead will provide an adequate solution. If you’re looking for something to leave a lasting effect, however, pass this one by.
