50 Most Underrated Albums of the '2000s: #50

50. All Shall Perish-This is Where it Ends (2011)

(Note: This list is my picks for the 50 most underrated albums of the '2000s. These aren't exactly in order of how much I enjoy them, but instead how much they are overlooked overall by the music community and general public. The list kicks off with All Shall Perish's most recent album, This is Where it Ends, below. Hope everyone enjoys and I encourage any and all comments whether you agree with my opinion or not.)

This is Where it Ends was the record where All Shall Perish really started to break their mold as a deathcore-based act. Eddie Hermida stepped up his vocal game with a more sinister edge to his screams, new guitarist Francesco Artusato was a better fit and somehow an even stronger musician than previous guitarist Jason Richardson and above all, the band start experimenting with melody and employing the use of piano and strings to accompany certain tracks. The experimentation and melodic edge being brought into the fold without sacrificing any of the brutality or technicality they had become known for on their first three albums made this record the most satisfying and polished effort of their career. Unfortunately, this will be the last All Shall Perish record to feature Hermida and founding member/primary songwriter Ben Orum. Hermida left to join Suicide Silence while Orum left to spend more time with his family. At least this incarnation of All Shall Perish went out on top with This is Where it Ends.

Standout Tracks
1. In this Life of Pain
2.Procession of Ashes
3.The Past Will Haunt Us Both  

Album Review: All Shall Perish-This Is Where It Ends

2011 just continues to impress me. This is honestly the best year for metal in my lifetime. Just about every record I have heard this year has been at least good, if not great. All Shall Perish joins the long list of bands that have released their best record in 2011 with the excellent This Is Where It Ends.

All Shall Perish has been steadily improving as a band since The Prince Of Existence came out, but This Is Where It Ends is a big improvement over everything else they have ever done. Part of this can be attributed to new guitarist Fransesco Artusato. He is the best guitarist All Shall Perish has ever had and considering how many great guitar players All Shall Perish have had over the years, that is quite an accomplishment. The riffs and solos are outstanding. There where numerous times on this record where I was completely blown away at some of the solos Artusato was rolling through. The speed,twists, and technicality of the guitarplaying is amazing. The songwriting overall has improved too. It's more cohesive and elaborate songwriting really pays off big time. Album closer "In This Life Of Pain" is easily the most complex (and probably my favorite) All Shall Perish song to date. The song starts off with a near two-minute piano intro and then leads into the best solos, drum work, and vocals of All Shall Perish's career. It's just a kick-ass song and the seven-minute duration flys by. On top of everything else, Eddie Hermedia gives his best vocal performance to date. His vocals are even better and more intense than before. He has one of the best screams in modern metal, it's fucking menacing.

This Is Where It Ends is by far the best All Shall Perish to date. The musicianship and songwriting have never been stronger. Fransesco Artusato is one of hell of a guitarist. The guitar solos on this record are some of the best of the year so far. This Is Where It Ends is a fucking fantastic record and I suggest even non-fans of this band check it out, it's one hell of a record.

4.5/5 Stars
Standout Tracks
1.In This Life Of Pain
2.Spineless
3.The Past Will Haunt Us Both