REVIEW: I Am The Avalanche – Avalanche United

Artist: I Am The Avalanche
Album: Avalanche United
Genre: Pop-punk/Melodic Hardcore
Label: I Surrender

A name like The Movielife is sure to bring veterans of the pop-punk scene down memory lane while leaving a bittersweet feeling in their heart. They shattered fans worldwide after announcing their disbandment in 2003, but lucky for us frontman Vinnie Caruana had something brewing up his sleeve and went on to start a new band, with his angst-ridden sarcasm in tow. Forming from the ashes of previous talents, I Am The Avalanche is a collaborative force that fuses aggressive pop-punk elements with meandering melody and an uncompromising wave of rebellion. After making fans sit anxiously in anticipation for the better part of six years, I Am The Avalanche have finally returned with their sophomore album, Avalanche United, proving that the wait was well worth it.

While their debut album stirred up attention, it was unable to branch out to innovative territory to create a signature sound apart from The Movielife. Their lengthy hiatus seems to have worked in their benefit because I Am The Avalanche have finally broken free from the ties and established an identity of their own. While displaying a matured musicianship and better production, Avalanche United blows their debut album right out of the water and marks a pinnacle height in their career. The album kicks off promisingly with the anthemic, “Holy Fuck,” which immediately sets the tone the rest of the album tends to stick closely to. The track opens with a shrieking guitar that explodes to a full assault of Vinnie Caruana’s gruff vocals and energetic chants, that are meticulously pinned and primed for stage-diving. Soaring choruses and interweaved melodies such as the ones found on, “Broken Dodgers,” are scattered throughout each song. Immediately hitting a high point, “Amsterdam,” starts as an upbeat, infectious tune that reduces to a simple repeated guitar line and just as the drums come in, Caruana soars through with enticing clean vocals. Directly after the buildup they, seemingly effortlessly, resort back to their aggressive antics.

As the album develops, I Am The Avalanche showcase their refined sound and honed craft in songwriting on the two highlight tracks. The lyrically somber tune “I’ll Be Back Around,” offers a deeper melodic side we haven’t witnessed before, while “Is This Really Happening?,” draws its influences from early angst-ridden pop punk roots. It’s flourished with unhinged vocals and catchy hooks allowing each musician a spot in the limelight. After getting in touch with their emotional side I Am The Avalanche, decide to brighten up the mood with the bar tune, “This One’s On Me,” which fashions an uptempo, cut loose and have fun atmosphere, only to completely tear your heart out again with, “Dead Friends.” On a lyrical stand point we see Caruana at his darkest as he sings “Here it is. It’s the letter you wrote, the night before you died, just so we would all know that it was not okay.” Screams of agony over dissonant guitar lines bring the song to a close and fills you with an overwhelming sense of despair.

The second half of Avalanche United continues to shine as Bayside’s Anthony Reneri makes a notable appearance on, “The Gravedigger’s Argument,” but it’s the album closer, “Gratitude,” that really packs a punch. The anthem is constructed around dueling guitars and a blistering drum solo. There is no greater way could have ended the album.

I Am The Avalanche have evidently polished their proficiency in songwriting, musicianship and overall persona.  From the gate this record is filled with soaring choruses, rich textures, and catchy licks mixed with a raw delivery of edgy gruff vocals that doesn’t let up until the album concludes. Needless to say, Avalanche United displays an incredibly cultivated sound and proves that I Am The Avalanche have returned stronger than ever.

SCORE: 9.5/10
Review written by: Nerissa Judd

James Shotwell
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