November 2nd, 2010 
James Shotwell 
Artist: Escape The Fate
Album: Escape the Fate
Genre: Hard Rock
Label: DCG/Interscope
Given the amount of turmoil the music industry has gone through in the past decade it’s stunning to me that acts still sign with major labels. What’s even more unbelievable is when an already established act makes the move from their indie label home to the corporate world of high rises and mega-producers that only know bands like Bad Religion because their members now appear on VH1 shows about pop culture (or own record labels). I understand that the old model of the industry engineered us all to believe a major record deal was the “holy grail” for a band, but the age of social networking and digital distribution has significantly leveled the playing field and, in some cases, even set majors behind smaller companies with grassroots foundations. So I ask again, why make the move?
Case in point (if there ever was one), Escape The Fate. After suffering the loss of their original vocalist to prison, this Las Vegas four piece recruited former BlessTheFall frontman Craig Mabbitt and helmed a rebirth that put others in their scene to shame. Their last album, This War Is Ours, opened the group up to a whole new audience and proved once and for all that a band is much more than the guy holding the microphone. Then, following a lengthy stay in the Alternative Press Reader’s Chart and my personal iPod, Escape The Fate made the announcement that sent shivers down my (and many of their fans’) spine: They signed with DGC/Interscope (which is owned by the currently crumbling Universal Music Group). Now don’t get me wrong, I was/am beyond happy for ETF and all their hard-earned success, but as anyone who has heard their new album will tell you, this may have been their first fatal step.
Fast forward to today when Escape The Fate’s long awaited self-titled third album finally hits stores. Produced by Don Gilmore (Linkin Park, Bullet For My Valentine), this album falls aparts before the introduction even ends (during which the band asks you to “Choose your fate” – seriously.). From the terribly bland and unfitting production, to songwriting void of almost all the heart (the super forced balled, “World Around Me, if you dare), soul, and relatable subject material (they actually say “shake your money maker”) this band has come to be known for, there’s almost nothing to salvage on this release outside of the (predictably) amazing guitar solo that closes “The Aftermath (G3).” Even songs that begin promising, like the eerie tones that lead into “Zombie Dance” or the great riff that kicks off “Day Of Wreckoning,” quickly get buried in flat vocals and uninspired song structure.
Now I don’t want it to seem like I’m completely blaming DGC/Interscope for what happened on this album. They signed (and theoretically hoped to have) the Escape The Fate that broke down genre barriers and won fans over wherever they went in hopes they’d receive just that. However, what they got was a half-inspired attempt that takes patience to endure and, after being tossed through the loopholes of releasing for a major and working with a producer that CLEARLY had no idea what he was doing with this group, what might have only been a disappointing release for ETF plays more like an insufferable funeral march for a once promising band. I’ve heard bad albums before, but few that turned me off so much I reconsidered my opinion on the group’s previous efforts. This was that bad.
Save yourself $10 and make a mixtape of old ETF songs to keep you entertained because this release certainly won’t.
Score: 3/10
Review written by: James Shotwell
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this makes me so sad. I love the old ETF so much.
the album isn’t that bad as the reviewer is saying i really dig this album
Wow, I am surprised at all these terrible reviews. I’m really liking the new album so far! I think the reviewer needs to take a step back from the whole record deal and who owns the company that runs it, and actually listen to their music…
Wow, I am surprised at all these terrible reviews. I’m really liking the new album so far! I think the reviewer needs to take a step back from the whole record deal and who owns the company that runs it, and actually listen to their music…
Josh Shotwell should be well…shot for such a BAD review. This new album was their BEST by far! Their lead guitarist Monte stepped up and produced on the album and no one gives him that credit they think it’s hired talent and he did the piano on the ballad in no way it would be forced, and his little brother Michael Money wrote on it to, he fills in as their 2nd guitarist live. Can’t wait to hear them live, they’re always like their CD live! This album will be a great show live!
in my opinion this review is complete unnecessary ranting on the best album ETF has ever written.
You know what…It f*** shit compared to their old ones. So f*** off.
ur very violent. The last album has the best technical mix of music in my opinion. The guitar parts are very fitting, and their sound which, they have maintained, is still the one they use on tehir old ones. What are your arguments for why the album is so bad?
i agree, the album was by far the best
You know, if I had to reply to why this album was so bad, I would never finish, because it’s terrible. There is no f*** screaming, which is what escape the fate is all about, and it’s so soft compared to their old stuff. Stop listening to this sh** and go listen to some real music.
1. You are not listing any arguments.
2. The screaming is in a category which is very low, (sorry i dont know the terminology), but in every song, screaming takes place. Please take a closer listen
3. Real music like what? Do u even like ETF??
Real music like Dying is your latest fashion. How long have you known Escape the fate anyway??
guys, chill, and go listen to Lady Gaga or something…
Thats Escape the Fate. Just before you called it “fake music”, (aka not real music), and now you call ETF “real music”. im sorry i think this is confusing. Ive known them for about 4 years now.
Yeah, and I’ve known you for 7…
and Ive want to kill you for an eternity. Your appearance and your lack of faith in life wants me to eat your soul.
Why do you want to kill my mom???
you too. U dont like the new ETF album. I LOVE THE ALBUM. anyone who dislikes it will return with me to my Deathly Tombs. Go listen to CHildren of Bodom btw. Im featured on the album cover, i think i look very nice on all of them!!! they payed me good money to be on there!
Well f*** you bitch, you ain’t gonna come to my house beat me up. I’ve got a water pistol. So f*** you.
I would like to fuck you. But you would die. Too bad. Im sorry.
I’ve fucked you before and I survived.
u died, but i resurrected you to give you another chance of liking this album. It all depends on if u like it now or not… if not, i will kill you. If you do like it, you can be my gay goblin servant.
What has ETF done? Fuck this im going to listen to Falling In Reverse
Worst album ever from them.
Talk all the shit you want, fags, but I guess that’s what happens when you guys get all butt hurt about criticism from a band whose members turned into over-cocky, over-produced fuck-heads.
That would be because Ronnie is a much better musician than Craig.
Such a bad review? Hardly.
On the song “City of Sin,” THAT CRAIG WROTE, he tells a woman to “shake her money maker.”
I honestly think that no one in this band has any real talent besides Monte.
Craig (at least from the 3 times I’ve seen him live) can’t hold a high note to save his life, nor does his pitch sound anywhere remotely as close to his record voice.
I feel that the band depends on Monte way too much to sound even halfway decent.
I also find it funny that Monte did in fact not produce on the ballad. He even talks in an interview about Don Gilmore being the one who produces on this album.