Asking Alexandria – From Death to Destiny

English metalcore rockers Asking Alexandria join the ever-growing list of hard-rocking bands who’ve successfully established a fan base but had to tweak their sound owing to their frontman’s blown-out vocal chords. Their third album, From Death to Destiny, sees them attempt to incorporate a cleaner, more melodic and manageable vocal into the mix of brutal axework and breakbeats, without alienating their existing supporters.

Fortunately for fans of AA – particularly in America were their supporters are legion – lead vocalist Danny Worsnop sounds far more at ease throwing off the screams and growls than say, M. Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold ever has done. This isn’t to say that AA have completely abandoned the guttural roars, but they’ve certainly been dialled down. Lead single Run Free should have allayed any fears over Worsnop’s ability to sing “properly,” as its anthemic chorus – “open your heart/open your mind/to a new world” – hits all the right buttons and makes for a terrific showcase of AA’s new musical direction.

Current fans of AA will be pleased to hear that From Death to Destiny still has many great moments reminiscent of their earlier work: the rapid, half-rapped vocal line that opens Poison thrillingly recalls that of Corey Taylor in Slipknot’s early days. And the diamond-hard bursts of galloping guitar that run throughout Break Down the Walls and The Death of Me are full of urgent fury. Arguably, the album has only one weak moment – Moving On may have been meant to provide a refreshing break in the pace, but in truth it’s a plodding 80s rock homage too far.

Pre-release, the band admitted that several tracks would be more “radio-friendly,” a fact noticeable in the slightly predictable structure that most of the tracks adhere to. A side effect is that the music feels less chaotic and thrilling than some of AA’s metalcore contemporaries, such as Bring Me The Horizon or Every Time I Die. But on the upside, not one track outstays its welcome, everything is tightly controlled, slickly produced and – crucially – endlessly playable. You’ll definitely feel the urge to play many of them, if not the album in its entirety, again and again.

Verdict: ★★★★★

Tom Yates

From Death to Destiny was released on 5^th August 2013.

Watch the video for Run Free here: