With Devils Amongst Us All Explained

With Devils Amongst Us All
Type:studio
Artist:Walls of Jericho
Cover:With Devils Amongst Us All.jpg
Recorded:March 6 – April 4, 2006
Studio:Spider (Cleveland)
Label:Trustkill
Producer:Ben Schiegel
Prev Title:All Hail the Dead
Prev Year:2004
Next Title:Redemption
Next Year:2008

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 first album the band recorded with 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

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.[1] 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.[2] She also cited the addition of drummer Dustin Schoenhofer, who joined in November 2004,[3] as an influence on the band's new songs with his playing style. 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.[4] "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. According to guitarist Mike Hasty, the band 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."[5]

Walls of Jericho began recording the album with producer Ben Schiegel at Spider Studios in Cleveland on March 6, 2006.[6] Recording lasted six weeks. 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;[7] they were connected to Schiegel through their shared manager, Paul Bassman.[8] 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".[9] She nevertheless felt that he helped develop the dynamics and structures of their songs,[10] which "definitely helped" on certain songs such as "No Saving Me". The band finished recording on April 4, after which Hasty and Schoenhofer travelled to New Jersey to begin mixing the album with Eric Rachel whilst Rawson and Kucsulain "finished up some vocal stuff".[11] It was completed on April 24, 2006.[12]

Composition and lyrics

With Devils Amongst Us All has been described as metalcore,[13] thrash metal, and hardcore punk. It showcases a fast, heavy and aggressive sound featuring precise drumming, hardcore breakdowns, and an emphasis on melodic qualities, seen most prominently in "The Haunted" and "No Saving Me". The intensity and speed of several tracks drew frequent comparisons to Slayer. The album's lyrics are based on personal experiences and address various social issues, whilst bearing a more postive and direct approach compared to the band's previous albums.[14] 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".

"A Trigger Full of Promises" is about finding the person you love, and overcoming what stops you from being with that person. According to Decibel, "I Know Hollywood and You Ain’t It" showcases crust-punk interpreted "as a dance-y, layered stomp-fest".[15] "And Hope To Die" is about the suicides of people who were friends with Walls of Jericho. "The Haunted" begins with "eerie, melancholic chanting" and features a melodic chorus, contrasting with its lyrics, which are about raising awareness of rape.[16] 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". "No Saving Me" is a power ballad, similar to earlier Walls of Jericho songs "Angel" and "To Be Contined...",[17] [18] about feeling "totally alienated from the real world" on tour. It was the first song on the album the band completed music for, but the last to have its vocals recorded. "Welcome Home" is about domestic violence.

Release and promotion

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.[19] The band said they would perform four or five new songs during the tour. 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", inside an old farmhouse in Pennyslvania. Directed by Dale Restigini and scripted by Dustin Schoenhofer, the video reflects the song's lyrics. Schoenhofer said that the idea behind the video was to "combine a Romeo and Juliet storyline" with the video for "The Unforgiven" by Metallica.[20] The song was included in the compilation album MTV2 Headbanger's Ball: The Revenge (2006), released through Roadrunner Records,[21] and debuted on MTV2's Headbangers Ball on September 30, 2006.[22] From June 16 to June 26, 2006, Walls of Jericho joined a short Canadian tour headlined by Unearth,[23] On June 27, the band announced the release of With Devils Amongst Us All and unveiled its tracklist.[24] The album was released in Europe on August 21, 2006, and in the United States the day after. 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.[25]

From July 1 to August 13, 2006, Walls of Jericho performed on the second stage of the Ozzfest Tour,[26] before joining the Family Values Tour 2006 from August 18 to September 20, 2006.[27] In October, the band returned to Canada to play a shows with Bleeding Through and August Burns Red,[28] before playing their first-ever South American shows in Brazil.[29] [30] From November 1 to November 12, 2006, Walls of Jericho embarked on a headlining tour of the United Kingdom with Seventh Cross.[31] 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.[32] [33] 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.[34] After the Kittie tour, the band toured Japan for the first time supporting Stone Sour. 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.[35]

Critical reception

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." Jeanne Fury of Decibel considered it the band's "most robust album to date". 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. Ox-Fanzine 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. Punk Planet reviewer Chay Lawrence was less favorable, praising the album's production and performances but considering its songwriting formularic. Though acknowledging that the album was "not groundbreaking", Adrien Begrand of PopMatters felt that its overall "convincing, sincere approach" made it "likeable enough to warrant an enthusiastic recommendation over the usual crop of cookie-cutter [metal] bands".

"No Saving Me" surprised and divided many reviewers.[36] 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". Mike Kemp of Rock Sound similarly found the song "so far out of character that it sticks out like a penguin in the Sahara." 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." 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". 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 Feed the Gagged (1999) and All Hail the Dead.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Walls of Jericho.[37]

Personnel

Personnel per liner notes. Additional credits per Bandcamp.[38] Walls of Jericho

Production

Artwork

Charts

Chart (2006)! scope="col"
Peak
position
US Heatseeker Albums (Billboard)[39] 24
US Top Independent Albums (Billboard)31

Release history

Release history for With Devils Amongst Us All!Reigon!Label!Format!Date!Catalog #!Ref.
EuropeCDAugust 21, 2006RR 8186-2
United StatesTrustkillAugust 22, 2006TK82-2
JapanAugust 23, 2006RRCD-31004[40]

References

  1. Web site: Gehring . Rolf . 2006 . Walls of Jericho im Interview . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240630125711/https://www.helldriver-magazine.de/showInterview-ID-194.htm . June 30, 2024 . 2024-06-30 . Helldriver Magazine . de.
  2. Web site: Pessina . Luca . June 2, 2006 . Walls of Jericho - The Coming of Chaos . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240630144454/https://metalitalia.com/intervista/walls-of-jericho-the-coming-of-chaos/ . June 30, 2024 . 2024-06-30 . Metal Italia . it-IT.
  3. News: Stainbrook . Jon . September 7, 2006 . Ex-Toledoan makes a name in metalcore . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240806153933/https://www.toledoblade.com/Music-Theater-Dance/2006/09/07/Ex-Toledoan-makes-a-name-in-metalcore.html . 2024-08-06 . 2024-08-06 . . . D6 . . Schoenhofer got the call to join Walls of Jericho the day before Thanksgiving in 2004..
  4. Web site: Iwasaki . Scott . March 9, 2007 . Jericho vocalist loves live shows . 2024-07-04 . . en . August 6, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240806161334/https://www.deseret.com/2007/3/9/20006171/jericho-vocalist-loves-live-shows/ . live .
  5. Web site: McMahon . Philippa . December 3, 2006 . Walls of Jericho Interview . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20070928180231/https://roomthirteen.com/cgi-bin/feature_view.cgi?FeatureID=378 . 2007-09-28 . 2024-07-04 . RoomThirteen.
  6. Web site: Harris . Chris . Wiederhorn . Jon . 2006-04-14 . Metal File: Walls of Jericho, Shadows Fall, Chimaira, Starkweather & More News That Rules . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120209122404/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1528644/metal-file-walls-jericho-shadows-fall.jhtml . 2012-02-09 . 2024-08-12 . MTV News.
  7. Sciarretto . Amy . August–September 2006 . The Edge: Hard Rock's New Stars . . Hit Parader Publications, Inc. . 62-63 . . 501.
  8. Web site: Niamen . September 9, 2006 . Walls of Jericho - Be Brutal I Guess . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240630125713/https://www.metalrage.com/interviews/444/walls-of-jericho-be-brutal-i-guess.html . June 30, 2024 . 2024-06-30 . Metal Rage . en.
  9. Web site: Heisel . Scott . July 30, 2008 . // AP: Features - Web Exclusive: A conversation with Walls Of Jericho's Candace Kucsulain . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20090226185001/http://altpress.com:80/features/195.htm . 2009-02-26 . 2024-07-03 . Alternative Press.
  10. Web site: Fisher . Jason . 2006-07-12 . Walls Of Jericho Interview . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060831023242/http://www.thegauntlet.com/interviews/200/Walls-Of-Jericho.html . 2006-08-31 . 2024-07-03 . The Gauntlet.
  11. Web site: Anon. . April 5, 2006 . Let the Mixing Begin! . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20061109113636/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk:80/artists/WallsOfJericho/ . 2006-11-09 . 2024-06-30 . Roadrunner Records UK.
  12. Web site: Anon. . April 24, 2006 . A Wall of Sound . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20061109113636/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk:80/artists/WallsOfJericho/ . 2006-11-09 . 2024-06-30 . Roadrunner Records UK.
  13. Lawrence . Chay . May–June 2007 . Music . . 107 . . 79.
  14. Web site: Throne . Josh . September 26, 2006 . Interview Cadance Kucsulain Walls of Jericho . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080513222237/http://www.fourteeng.net/wallsofjericho2006.html . 2008-05-13 . 2024-07-04 . fourteeng.net.
  15. Fury . Jeanne . November 2006 . Walls of Jericho: With Devils Amongst Us All . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20061020170545/http://www.decibelmagazine.com/reviews/nov2006/wallsofjericho.aspx . 2006-10-20 . 2024-07-04 . . Red Flag Media, Inc. . 25.
  16. News: Czerwinski . Christian . October 4, 2006 . Music: Walls of Jericho . . T7 . .
  17. Park . Andrew . August 2006 . Walls of Jericho . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060813155541/http://www.decibelmagazine.com:80/features/aug2006/wallsofjericho.aspx . 2006-08-13 . 2024-08-05 . . 22 . Red Flag Media, Inc..
  18. Web site: McQueen . Valerie . 2008 . Web Exclusive Interview: Walls of Jericho's Candace Kucsulain on Music, Mayhem and Being a Miss, Not a Mister . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080811234743/http://www.revolvermag.com/content/web-exclusive-interview-walls-jericho . 2008-08-11 . 2024-08-05 . Revolver.
  19. Web site: Blabbermouth . 2006-04-07 . Bullet for My Valentine, Walls of Jericho To Join Forces For Trustkill Takeover Tour . 2024-07-04 . . en . June 30, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240630125710/https://blabbermouth.net/news/bullet-for-my-valentine-walls-of-jericho-to-join-forces-for-trustkill-takeover-tour . live .
  20. Web site: Blabbermouth . 2006-06-07 . Walls of Jericho Film 'A Trigger Full of Promises' Video . 2024-08-06 . . en . June 30, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240630125709/https://blabbermouth.net/news/walls-of-jericho-film-a-trigger-full-of-promises-video . live .
  21. Web site: February 16, 2006 . MTV Headbanger's Ball: The Revenge - Release Date Confirmed . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240630125708/https://bravewords.com/news/mtv-headbangers-ball-the-revenge-release-date-confirmed . June 30, 2024 . 2024-06-30 . bravewords.com . en.
  22. Web site: Blabbermouth . 2006-09-30 . Walls of Jericho's 'A Trigger Full Of Promises' Video To Debut On 'Headbanger's Ball' . 2024-08-05 . . en . August 6, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240806161335/https://blabbermouth.net/news/walls-of-jericho-s-a-trigger-full-of-promises-video-to-debut-on-headbanger-s-ball . live .
  23. Web site: Anon. . May 9, 2006 . Unearth, All That Remains, etc. dates (Canada) . 2024-08-06 . Lambgoat . en . June 10, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230610081035/https://www.lambgoat.com/news/6713/unearth-all-that-remains-etc-dates-canada/ . live .
  24. Web site: Blabbermouth . 2006-06-27 . Walls of Jericho Announce Release Date For 'With Devils Amongst Us All' . 2024-08-06 . . en . February 6, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240206160254/https://blabbermouth.net/news/walls-of-jericho-announce-release-date-for-with-devils-amongst-us-all . live .
  25. Web site: 2006-08-30 . Lamb of God's 'Sacrament' Enters Billboard Chart at No. 8! . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240630125709/https://blabbermouth.net/news/lamb-of-god-s-sacrament-enters-billboard-chart-at-no . June 30, 2024 . 2024-06-30 . . en.
  26. Web site: Blabbermouth . 2006-03-09 . Ozzfest 2006: Tour Dates Released . September 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220929055022/https://blabbermouth.net/news/ozzfest-2006-tour-dates-released . live . 2024-08-06 . . en.
  27. Family Values Tour 2006:
    • Web site: Blabbermouth . 2006-08-18 . Walls of Jericho Added To Family Values Tour . 2024-08-06 . . en . August 6, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240806161303/https://blabbermouth.net/news/walls-of-jericho-added-to-family-values-tour . live .
    • Web site: Walls Of Jericho . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060915231547/http://www.trustkillshows.com/shows/search_shows.php?band_id=534 . 2006-09-15 . 2024-08-06 . trustkillshows.com .
    • Web site: Blabbermouth . 2006-09-15 . Family Values Tour: Virginia Concert Cancelled . 2024-08-06 . . en . September 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230907011539/https://blabbermouth.net/news/family-values-tour-virginia-concert-cancelled . live .
  28. Web site: Aubin . Paul . 2006-09-09 . Tours: Bleeding Through / Walls of Jericho / August Burns Red (Canada) . 2024-08-06 . Punknews.org . en . August 6, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240806161341/https://www.punknews.org/article/19660/tours-bleeding-through-walls-of-jericho-august-burns-red-canada . live .
  29. Web site: Walls of Jericho . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20061016134248/http://www.trustkillshows.com:80/shows/search_shows.php?band_id=534 . 2006-10-16 . 2024-08-06 . trustkillshows.com.
  30. Web site: Blabbermouth . 2007-01-06 . Walls of Jericho To Support Stone Sour In Japan . 2024-08-06 . May 19, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210519004707/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/walls-of-jericho-to-support-stone-sour-in-japan/ . live . . en.
  31. Web site: Anon. . September 11, 2006 . Walls of Jericho Amongst Us All . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20061109113636/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk:80/artists/WallsOfJericho/ . 2006-11-09 . 2024-06-30 . Roadrunner Records UK.
  32. Web site: Blabbermouth . 2006-08-27 . Sick of It All, Madball, Terror, Walls of Jericho To Join Forces For Persistence Tour . 2024-08-06 . . en . August 6, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240806161245/https://blabbermouth.net/news/sick-of-it-all-madball-terror-walls-of-jericho-to-join-forces-for-persistence-tour . live .
  33. Web site: Reinecker . Meg . 2006-10-12 . Sick Of It All announce supporting acts for European tour . 2024-08-06 . Punknews.org . en . February 2, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220202100450/https://www.punknews.org/article/20284/sick-of-it-all-announce-supporting-acts-for-european-tour . live .
  34. Funeral for Yesterday Tour:
  35. Web site: Anon. . June 26, 2007 . Walls Of Jericho, Born From Pain tour (Europe) . 2024-08-06 . lambgoat.com . en . September 30, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190930085220/https://lambgoat.com/news/9052/Walls-Of-Jericho-Born-From-Pain-tour-Europe . live .
  36. Web site: Janina . February 1, 2007 . Interview mit Walls of Jericho . 2024-07-03 . Allschools . de . July 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240704221349/https://www.allschools.de/article/show/Interview_mit_Walls_of_Jericho_34006 . live .
  37. With Devils Amongst Us All . . 2006 . booklet . . TK82-2 .
  38. Web site: With Devils Amongst Us All, by Walls Of Jericho . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231109022857/https://trustkill.bandcamp.com/album/with-devils-amongst-us-all . November 9, 2023 . 2024-06-30 . . . en.
  39. Chart positions:
    • Heatseekers: Anon. . September 9, 2006 . Launch Pad: Top Heatseekers . . 118 . 36 . 89 . June 30, 2024 . February 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225175712/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=uQ0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA89#v=onepage&q&f=false . live .
    • Independent: Anon. . September 9, 2006 . Albums: Top Heatseekers . . 118 . 36 . 88 . June 30, 2024 . February 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225175737/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=uQ0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA88#v=onepage&q&f=false . live .
  40. Web site: With Devils Amongst Us All / Walls of Jericho . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060806154749/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.jp/rinfo/20060823/cd31004.html . August 6, 2006 . 2024-08-06 . roadrunnerrecords.co.jp.

Further reading

External links

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