Asking Alexandria (album) explained

Asking Alexandria
Type:Studio album
Artist:Asking Alexandria
Cover:Asking_Alexandria_self-titled_album_art.jpeg
Released:15 December 2017
Recorded:2017
Studio:Good Sounds Studio, Tempe, Arizona, U.S.
Genre:
Length:44:07
Label:Sumerian
Producer:
Prev Title:The Black
Prev Year:2016
Next Title:Like a House on Fire
Next Year:2020

Asking Alexandria is the fifth studio album by English rock band Asking Alexandria.[1] It was released on 15 December 2017 through Sumerian Records. This is their first album since the return of original lead vocalist Danny Worsnop, as well as their first album working with producers Matt Good and Jonathan Davis instead of longtime producer Joey Sturgis. It also marks the group's slight departure from their heavier metalcore roots and towards a more straight forward and melodic hard rock sound.[2] On 27 December 2019, the deluxe version of the album titled LP5 DLX was released.[3]

Composition

Style

This album has been described as hard rock,[4] [5] [6] metalcore,[6] and post-hardcore, with elements of pop.

Release and promotion

On 21 September 2017, the band released the lead single "Into the Fire" from the album.[7] [8] The band released a second single from the album, entitled "Where Did It Go?", on 25 October 2017.[9] On 25 May 2018, the band released the third single "Alone in a Room" alongside an accompanying lyric video.[10] On 15 December, the band released their fourth single "Vultures" and its corresponding animated music video.[11]

Critical reception

Asking Alexandria received generally positive reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has an average score of 73 out of 100 based on 4 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". AllMusic gave the album a positive review saying, "Overall, Asking Alexandria is a worthy return from the classic lineup, retaining the best aspects of its past and taking steps into its future. Regardless of a stumble or two, Asking Alexandria is well worth a listen. While The Black was a passable offering at a time when it seemed like it would be a permanent arrangement, this reunion simply feels right."

Michacel Hann at The Guardian stating, "The York quintet are the model of an If-You-Like-This-Sort-of-Thing band – huge, monolithic sheets of sound, precision-tooled to get large crowds putting their hands in the air. The formula is shaken up – a furious Slipknot-esque break is put in the middle of Into the Air; 'Hopelessly Hopeful' and 'When the Lights Come On' dial down the metal and ramp up the pop – but you're never more than a couple of minutes away from some preposterous chorus. It doesn't sound like Def Leppard, but it is reminiscent of that band's willingness to smooth off metal's rough edges and boost the melodies." Louder Sound gave the album a positive review and stated: "Ultimately, then, Asking Alexandria isn't a throwback or a sidestep – it's a whole new animal, and it's gonna need a bigger zoo."

Personnel

Credits adapted from AllMusic.

Asking Alexandria

Additional musicians

Additional personnel

Charts

Chart (2017)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[12] 53
New Zealand Heatseeker Albums (RMNZ)[13] 5

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Asking Alexandria announce album . 27 October 2017.
  2. Web site: Asking Alexandria self-titled album review. Metal Hammer. 6 December 2017.
  3. Web site: ASKING ALEXANDRIA Releases Deluxe Version Of Self-Titled Album. 27 December 2019. Blabbermouth.net. 12 August 2020.
  4. Web site: Album review altpress . 15 December 2017.
  5. Web site: altwire . 15 December 2017.
  6. Web site: Soundboard - Asking Alexandria Asking Alexandria album review . 16 December 2017.
  7. Web site: Asking Alexandria release first song since new return . 22 October 2017.
  8. Web site: Asking Alexandria unleash Into the Fire . 22 October 2017.
  9. Web site: AUDIO: Asking Alexandria – Where Did It Go?. 26 October 2017. Dead Press!. 12 August 2020. 9 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201109083534/https://www.deadpress.co.uk/audio-asking-alexandria-where-did-it-go/. dead.
  10. Web site: Asking Alexandria release new music video for ‘Alone In A Room’. Distorted Sound. 12 August 2020. 27 May 2020.
  11. Web site: ASKING ALEXANDRIA Releases Animated Music Video For 'Vultures'. 15 December 2018. Blabbermouth.net. 12 August 2020.
  12. Web site: ARIA Chart Watch #452. auspOp. 23 December 2017. 23 December 2017. 4 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191204230628/https://www.auspop.com.au/2017/12/aria-chart-watch-452/. dead.
  13. Web site: NZ Heatseeker Albums Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 25 December 2017. 22 December 2017.