Why I Love The New Trail of Dead Record

Hot damn. When I caught ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead at The Syndicate's CMJ Showcase back in October '08 and they blew me away, as per usual, with their live show - I held out reluctant hope that they just might be able to deliver a record as ass-whomping as their live endeavors. I haven't been wowed by a Trail of Dead record since, well, Source Tags & Codes - although some of Worlds Apart buttered my bread.


But after a split with Interscope and a return to IndieLand with Justice Records, Trail of Dead have delivered a mid-career masterpiece. Century of Self is chock full of epic shout-alongs, sweeping movements of musical axe wielding, and enough build-ups and let downs to keep the ear entertained, no, on guard for all 13 tracks. Highlights include Isis Unveiled, Halcyon Days, Pictures Of An Only Child, Ascending, and on and on. I can't get enough of this record.

If you loved Trail of Dead once, pick up Century of Self and turn that sh*t up real loud. These Texans have delivered once again.

Here's Trail of Dead live with Bells of Creation from the new record.



Buy it.