Coward (Haste the Day album) explained

Coward
Type:studio
Artist:Haste the Day
Cover:Coward by Haste the Day.jpg
Genre:Metalcore, Christian metal, hard rock
Label:Solid State
Producer:Stephen Keech
Prev Title:Attack of the Wolf King
Prev Year:2010

Coward is the sixth studio album from Haste the Day. Solid State Records released the album on May 18, 2015. The album was released following the band's successful funding campaign via the crowdfunding website IndieGoGo, to which fans contributed more than twice the band's original goal. Coward is unique in that it features contributions from every member throughout the band's career, and is the first studio album to feature original vocalist Jimmy Ryan since the band's 2005 release When Everything Falls.

Critical reception

Awarding the album three and a half stars from Alternative Press, Tyler Sharp writes, "Coward tends to lack an overall sense of cohesion, creating a slight disconnect for the listener, yet doesn’t hold the band back from creating arguably some of their most profound material to date, in bouts of progressive, titan metalcore." Timothy Estabrooks, giving the album three and a half stars for Jesus Freak Hideout, writes, "Unfortunately, the results are as mixed as the band itself ... Foundationally, Coward is as solid as you would expect from a veteran band." Indicating in a four star review by HM Magazine, Taylor Boyce says, "It's as aggressive as any of their previous releases, and their keen ability to craft well-written songs with an ear for the listener solidifies this release...and the band...as true marks of talent."

Rating the album four stars at Indie Vision Music, Brody Barbour describes, "With multiple listens, however, I soon discovered this album plays out best as a greatest hits album, with all the best parts of Haste the Day placed within." Jesse Striewski, awarding the album three stars by New Noise Magazine, says, "Like any Haste The Day album, this won’t appeal to everyone; but those who have been waiting for these guys to release new music should be able to appreciate it." Assigning the album nine and a half stars at Jesus Wired, Topher P. states, "Coward is still a phenomenal effort with minimal flaws, if any at all."

Personnel

Haste the Day

Additional musicians

Production

Artwork and design