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With Devils Amongst Us All

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With Devils Amongst Us All
Studio album by
Walls of Jericho
ReleasedAugust 21, 2006 (2006-08-21)
RecordedMarch–April 2006
StudioSpider (Cleveland)
Genre
Length35:01
LabelTrustkill
ProducerBen Schiegel
Walls of Jericho chronology
All Hail the Dead
(2004) 		With Devils Amongst Us All
(2006) 		Redemption
(2008)
Singles from With Devils Amongst Us All
  1. "A Trigger Full of Promises"
    Released: March 31, 2006[1]
  2. "And Hope to Die"
    Released: July 20, 2006[2]

With Devils Amongst Us All is the third studio album by American metalcore band Walls of Jericho, released on August 21, 2006, by Trustkill Records. Recorded at Spider Studios in Cleveland with producer Ben Schiegel, it was the Walls of Jericho album to feature an outside producer, as well as their first with drummer Dustin Schoenhofer. Blending together elements of metalcore, thrash metal and hardcore punk, the album was a conscious attempt by the band to establish their own sound. Its lyrics are mainly focused on overcoming challenges, and also cover personal experiences and social issues.

With Devils Amongst Us All received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its consistency and aggression. The album sold 2,800 copies in its first week to debut at number 24 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums Chart and number 31 on the Top Independent Albums Chart. To promote the album, Walls of Jericho filmed a music video for "A Trigger Full of Promises" which debuted on MTV2's Headbangers Ball, and embarked on extensive international supporting tours, including the Ozzfest and Family Values tours, throughout 2006 and 2007.

Background and recording

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After touring in support of their previous album All Hail the Dead (2004), Walls of Jericho began working on new material in December 2005, and spent four or five months writing With Devils Amongst Us All.[3] Vocalist Candace Kucsulain noted that in contrast to All Hail the Dead, which was written and recorded within four months following their 2003 reformation, the band had more time to write material and had gathered ideas for the album for more than two years, in additon to its members having a better understanding of each other.[3][4] She also cited the addition of drummer Dustin Schoenhofer, who joined in November 2004,[5] as an influence on the band's new songs with his playing style.[3] Aware they would be subject to more scrutiny following the success of their last album, more time was spent arranging material, an often arduous process that carried over into recording.[6] "There were times when Chris [Rawson], our guitar player, was like: 'Holy shit! This doesn't work. This is no good. I don't know what to do! And then we worked on some things, changed little things here and there, but it was a lot of pressure", Kucsulain said.[7] According to guitarist Mike Hasty, they structured their songs with the aim of "[shifting] things around" when they got into the studio, though in the end "not that much actually got changed."[8]

At the start of March 2006, Walls of Jericho travelled to Spider Studios in Cleveland, Ohio, to record the album with producer and former Switched frontman Ben Schiegel.[4][9] Recording lasted six weeks.[8] Having previously recorded their albums through Hasty, the band decided to seek an outside producer to stop them from "[writing] the same thing over and over again" and help establish their own sound;[10] they were connected to Schiegel through their shared manager, Paul Bassman.[11] Kucsulain said that Walls of Jericho did not want Schiegel to "be the kind of [producer] who would come in and try to take control over everything or try to write things or change our sound", and as such his input was limited to specifically requested areas, or whenever he "saw something that needed to be changed".[12] She nevertheless felt that he helped develop the dynamics and structures of their songs,[13] which "definitely helped" on certain songs such as "No Saving Me".[12] In early April 2006, Hasty and Schoenhofer travelled to New Jersey to begin mixing the album with Eric Rachel whilst Rawson and Kucsulain "finished up some vocal stuff".[14] It was completed on April 24, 2006.[15]

Composition and lyrics

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With Devils Amongst Us All has been described as metalcore,[16][17][18][19] thrash metal,[16][17][20] and hardcore punk.[21] It showcases an fast, heavy and aggressive sound[16] featuring precise drumming, hardcore breakdowns,[21] and an emphasis on melodic qualities,[16] seen most prominently in "The Haunted" and "No Saving Me".[17][22] The intensity and speed of several tracks drew frequent comparisons to Slayer.[16][17][18][19] The album's lyrics are based on personal experiences and address various social issues,[10] whilst bearing a more postive[3][11] and direct approach compared to the band's previous albums.[23] According to Kucsulain, the album is "very much about overcoming obstacles and becoming the person you find deep inside yourself", and that its title "represents evil in everyday life".[3]

"A Trigger Full of Promises" is about finding the person you love, and overcoming what stops you from being with that person.[23] According to Decibel, "I Know Hollywood and You Ain’t It" showcases crust-punk interpreted "as a dance-y, layered stomp-fest".[24] "And Hope To Die" is about the suicides of people who were friends with Walls of Jericho.[23] "The Haunted" begins with "eerie, melancholic chanting" and features a melodic chorus,[16][17] contrasting with its lyrics, which are about raising awareness of rape.[10][25] Kucsulain found the song "weird" due to its catchiness, but believed that "if you want people to listen to the message, you have to sugarcoat the package".[10] "No Saving Me" is a power ballad[18][26] similar to earlier Walls of Jericho songs "Angel" and "To Be Contined...",[27][28] about feeling "totally alienated from the real world" on tour.[3] It was the first song on the album the band completed music for,[8] but the last to have its vocals recorded.[23] "Welcome Home" is about domestic violence.[16]

Release and promotion

[edit]
Walls of Jericho performing in Italy in 2006

From May 12 to May 28, 2006, Walls of Jericho toured the United States and Canada as part of Trustkill Records' Trustkill Takeover "package tour", headlined by Bullet for My Valentine.[29] The band said they would perform four or five new songs during the tour.[29] In early June 2006, the band filmed a music video for "A Trigger Full of Promises", which Kucsulain described as the band's "first real video",[11] inside an old farmhouse in Pennyslvania.[30] Directed by Dale Restigini and scripted by Dustin Schoenhofer,[N 1] the video reflects the song's lyrics.[23][30] Schoenhofer said that the idea behind the video was to "combine a Romeo and Juliet storyline" with the video for "The Unforgiven" by Metallica.[30] The song was included in the compilation album MTV2 Headbanger's Ball: The Revenge (2006), released through Roadrunner Records,[31] and debuted on MTV2's Headbangers Ball on September 30, 2006.[32] From June 16 to June 26, 2006, Walls of Jericho joined a short Canadian tour headlined by Unearth,[33] On June 27, the band announced the release of With Devils Amongst Us All and unveiled its tracklist.[34] The album was released in Europe on August 21, 2006, and in the United States the day after.[34][35] It sold 2,800 copies in its first week of release to debut at number 24 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums Chart and number 31 on the Top Independent Albums Chart.[36][37]

From July 1 to August 13, 2006, performed on the second stage of the Ozzfest Tour,[38] before joining the Family Values Tour 2006 from August 18 to September 20, 2006.[39] In October, the band returned to Canada to play a shows with Bleeding Through and August Burns Red,[40] before playing their first-ever South American shows in Brazil.[41][42] From November 1 to November 12, 2006, Walls of Jericho embarked on a headlining tour of the United Kingdom with Seventh Cross.[35][41][42] From November 30 to December 10, 2006, Walls of Jericho joined the Persistence Tour across Europe with Madball, Sick of It All, Terror, Comeback Kid, Destiny and the Distance.[43][44] Between February and May 2007, Walls of Jericho supported Kittie on their Funeral for Yesterday Tour across North America, alongside 36 Crazyfists, Dead to Fall and In This Moment.[45] After the Kittie tour, the band toured Japan for the first time supporting Stone Sour.[42] Walls of Jericho returned to Europe to support Born From Pain from September 13 to October 7, 2007, alongside All Shall Perish, Fear My Thoughts, and From A Second Story Window.[46]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Alternative Press5/5[26]
Drowned in Sound7/10[21]
Kerrang![18]
laut.de[22]
Metal.de7/10[17]
Metal Hammer8/10[18]
Ox-Fanzine9/10[20]
PopMatters7/10[16]
Rock Hard8.5/10[47]
Rock Sound7/10[18]

With Devils Amongst Us All received generally positive reviews from critics. Con Hongos of Alternative Press gave the album a perfect score, stating that it showed Walls of Jericho had reached "the height of their powers [...], and are completely worthy of the world’s attention."[26] Jeanne Fury of Decibel considered it the band's "most robust album to date".[24] Kerrang! felt the album represented "brutal hardcore the way it's meant to be" whilst comparing Kucsulain's "authoritative" vocals favorably to Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed.[18] Ox-Fanzine's Tobias Ernst and laut.de's Michael Edele both considered the album superior to All Hail the Dead, with the former praising it as "more well-rounded and the consistently high level" and the latter noting Kucsulain's improved delivery.[20][22] Punk Planet reviewer Chay Lawrence was less favorable, finding the album's production and performances, but considered its songwriting formularic.[19] Though acknowledging that it was "not groundbreaking music", Adrien Begrand of PopMatters felt that the overall "convincing, sincere approach" of the album made it "likeable enough to warrant an enthusiastic recommendation over the usual crop of cookie-cutter [metal] bands".[16]

The inclusion of "No Saving Me" surprised and divided many reviewers.[7] Alternative Press and Kerrang! called the song the album's only bad track; the latter felt its inclusion was "superfluous" when considering the "impressive carnage surrounding it".[18][26] Similarly, Mike Kemp of Rock Sound considered the song's inclusion "so far out of character that it sticks out like a penguin in the Sahara."[18] Raziq Rauf of Drowned in Sound was more favorable, stating that it helped break up Kucsulain's "relentless and slightly tiresome [vocal] cacophony" and suggested that it may "be a taster of much more melodic things to come."[21] Begrand noted Kucsulain's range on the song's as well as its genuinity, and implored Walls of Jericho to "explore this territory more in the future, and not let this song be just a one-off".[16] In a 2007 interview with AllSchools, Kucsulain stated that Walls of Jericho were not "afraid of the controversy ["No Saving Me"] might cause" and told reviewers who did not understand the song to listen to listen to the band's previous albums, as they had recorded at least one song in its style on The Bound Feeding the Gagged (1999) and All Hail the Dead.[7]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Walls of Jericho.[48]

Standard release
No.TitleLength
1."A Trigger Full of Promises"3:48
2."I Know Hollywood and You Ain't It"2:39
3."And Hope to Die"3:14
4."Plastic"3:16
5."Try.Fail.Repeat"3:13
6."The Haunted"3:23
7."And the Dead Walk Again"3:23
8."Another Day, Another Idiot"1:58
9."No Saving Me"4:08
10."Welcome Home"2:17
11."With Devils Amongst Us All"3:36
Total length:35:01
US iTunes / Japanese bonus track[49]
No.TitleLength
12."The Revolving Door Strategy"2:09
Total length:37:10

Personnel

[edit]

Personnel per liner notes.[48] Additional credits per Bandcamp.[50]

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for With Devils Amongst Us All
Chart (2006) Peak
position
US Heatseeker Albums (Billboard)[37] 24
US Top Independent Albums (Billboard)[37] 31

Release history

[edit]
Release history for With Devils Amongst Us All
Reigon Label Format Date Catalog # Ref.
Europe
CD August 21, 2006 RR 8186-2 [35]
United States Trustkill August 22, 2006 TK82-2 [34]
Japan
  • Trustkill
  • Roadrunner
 August 23, 2006 RRCD-31004 [49]

Notes

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  1. ^ Kucsulain: "[Schoenhoffer] had the [video] idea and everybody started to collaborate with that idea. [...] After this he wrote a great part of the script with everybody looking over his shoulder. Yeah you could say he wrote the script but we agreed with it."[11]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ David (March 31, 2006). "Walls Of Jericho - Stream online". metal.de. Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  2. ^ "Un titre dédidé à toutes les maisons de retraite" [A Title Dedicated to All Retirement Homes]. VisualMusic (in French). July 20, 2006. Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Gehring, Rolf (2006). "Walls of Jericho im Interview". Helldriver Magazine (in German). Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Pessina, Luca (June 2, 2006). "Walls of Jericho - The Coming of Chaos". Metal Italia (in Italian). Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  5. ^ Stainbrook, Jon (September 7, 2006). "Ex-Toledoan makes a name in metalcore". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. p. D6. ProQuest 380246079. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024. Schoenhofer got the call to join Walls of Jericho the day before Thanksgiving in 2004.
  6. ^ Iwasaki, Scott (March 9, 2007). "Jericho vocalist loves live shows". Deseret News. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Janina (February 1, 2007). "Interview mit Walls of Jericho". Allschools (in German). Archived from the original on July 4, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c McMahon, Philippa (December 3, 2006). "Walls of Jericho Interview". RoomThirteen. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  9. ^ Anon. (March 9, 2006). "A WOJ of News". Roadrunner Records UK. Archived from the original on November 9, 2006. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d Sciarretto, Amy (August–September 2006). "The Edge: Hard Rock's New Stars". Hit Parader. No. 501. Hit Parader Publications, Inc. pp. 62–63 – via Internet Archive.
  11. ^ a b c d Niamen (September 9, 2006). "Walls of Jericho - Be Brutal I Guess". Metal Rage. Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Heisel, Scott (July 30, 2008). "// AP: Features - Web Exclusive: A conversation with Walls Of Jericho's Candace Kucsulain". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on February 26, 2009. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  13. ^ Fisher, Jason (July 12, 2006). "Walls Of Jericho Interview". The Gauntlet. Archived from the original on August 31, 2006. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  14. ^ Anon. (April 5, 2006). "Let the Mixing Begin!". Roadrunner Records UK. Archived from the original on November 9, 2006. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  15. ^ Anon. (April 24, 2006). "A Wall of Sound". Roadrunner Records UK. Archived from the original on November 9, 2006. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Begrand, Adrien (February 25, 2007). "Walls of Jericho: With Devils Amongst Us All". PopMatters. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  17. ^ a b c d e f Ingo (September 11, 2006). "Walls of Jericho – With Devils Amongst Us All Review". metal.de. Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Walls of Jericho: Press". Roadrunner Records UK. Archived from the original on August 27, 2006. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  19. ^ a b c Lawrence, Chay (May–June 2007). "Music". Punk Planet. No. 79. p. 107 – via Internet Archive.
  20. ^ a b c Ernst, Tobias (October–November 2006). "Walls of Jericho – With Devils Amongst Us All CD". Ox-Fanzine (in German). Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  21. ^ a b c d Rauf, Raziq (August 21, 2006). "Album Review: Walls of Jericho – With Devils Amongst Us All". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on December 22, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  22. ^ a b c Edele, Michael (n.d.). "Sie haben tatsächlich eine Ballade auf dem Album" [They actually have a ballad on the album.]. laut.de (in German). Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  23. ^ a b c d e Throne, Josh (September 26, 2006). "Interview Cadance Kucsulain Walls of Jericho". fourteeng.net. Archived from the original on May 13, 2008. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  24. ^ a b Fury, Jeanne (November 2006). "Walls of Jericho: With Devils Amongst Us All". Decibel. No. 25. Red Flag Media, Inc. Archived from the original on October 20, 2006. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  25. ^ Czerwinski, Christian (October 4, 2006). "Music: Walls of Jericho". Lansing State Journal. p. T7. ProQuest 439067219.
  26. ^ a b c d Hongos, Con (October 2006). "// AP: Reviews - The last word in power metal-until their next album". Alternative Press. No. 219. Archived from the original on October 7, 2008. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  27. ^ Park, Andrew (August 2006). "Walls of Jericho". Decibel. No. 22. Red Flag Media, Inc. Archived from the original on August 13, 2006. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  28. ^ McQueen, Valerie (2008). "Web Exclusive Interview: Walls of Jericho's Candace Kucsulain on Music, Mayhem and Being a Miss, Not a Mister". Revolver. Archived from the original on August 11, 2008. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  29. ^ a b Blabbermouth (April 7, 2006). "Bullet for My Valentine, Walls of Jericho To Join Forces For Trustkill Takeover Tour". Blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  30. ^ a b c Blabbermouth (June 7, 2006). "Walls of Jericho Film 'A Trigger Full of Promises' Video". Blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  31. ^ "MTV Headbanger's Ball: The Revenge - Release Date Confirmed". bravewords.com. February 16, 2006. Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  32. ^ Blabbermouth (September 30, 2006). "Walls of Jericho's 'A Trigger Full Of Promises' Video To Debut On 'Headbanger's Ball'". Blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  33. ^ Anon. (May 9, 2006). "Unearth, All That Remains, etc. dates (Canada)". Lambgoat. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  34. ^ a b c Blabbermouth (June 27, 2006). "Walls of Jericho Announce Release Date For 'With Devils Amongst Us All'". Blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on February 6, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  35. ^ a b c Anon. (September 11, 2006). "Walls of Jericho Amongst Us All". Roadrunner Records UK. Archived from the original on November 9, 2006. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  36. ^ "Lamb of God's 'Sacrament' Enters Billboard Chart at No. 8!". Blabbermouth.net. August 30, 2006. Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  37. ^ a b c Chart positions:
  38. ^ Blabbermouth (March 9, 2006). "Ozzfest 2006: Tour Dates Released". Blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  39. ^ Family Values Tour 2006:
  40. ^ Aubin, Paul (September 9, 2006). "Tours: Bleeding Through / Walls of Jericho / August Burns Red (Canada)". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  41. ^ a b "Walls of Jericho". trustkillshows.com. Archived from the original on October 16, 2006. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  42. ^ a b c Blabbermouth (January 6, 2007). "Walls of Jericho To Support Stone Sour In Japan". Blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  43. ^ Blabbermouth (August 27, 2006). "Sick of It All, Madball, Terror, Walls of Jericho To Join Forces For Persistence Tour". Blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  44. ^ Reinecker, Meg (October 12, 2006). "Sick Of It All announce supporting acts for European tour". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on February 2, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  45. ^ Funeral for Yesterday Tour:
  46. ^ Anon. (June 26, 2007). "Walls Of Jericho, Born From Pain tour (Europe)". lambgoat.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  47. ^ "With Devils Amongst Us All". Rock Hard (Vol. 232) (in German). August 18, 2006. Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  48. ^ a b Walls of Jericho (2006). With Devils Amongst Us All (booklet). Trustkill Records. TK82-2.
  49. ^ a b "With Devils Amongst Us All / Walls of Jericho". roadrunnerrecords.co.jp. Archived from the original on August 6, 2006. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  50. ^ "With Devils Amongst Us All, by Walls Of Jericho". Trustkill Records. Bandcamp. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2024.

Further reading

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[edit]
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