For Lies I Sire
Encyclopedia
For Lies I Sire is the tenth studio album
by British
doom metal
pioneers My Dying Bride
, released on March 23, 2009 via Peaceville Records
and April 21, 2009 in the United States. It is the first album without keyboardist
Sarah Stanton since she joined My Dying Bride in 2004 for their "Songs of Darkness, Words of Light
" album. Musically, it is their first album since 1996's "Like Gods of the Sun
" to feature a violin
, performed by new band member Katie Stone. The album was recorded during September 2008 in Manchester's Futureworks Studio.
stated that the feel of the album is, in his words, "heading for empty and bleak with flashes of rage." Vocalist Aaron Stainthorpe
stated in an interview that For Lies I Sire is "quite possibly the most depressing thing we've created to date", and that it's an album that unites the past of the band with the future.
The album is the first since 1996's album Like Gods of the Sun
to feature a violin, this time performed by new keyboardist and violinist Katie Stone. The idea of using violin again has been described by Stainthorpe as adding "a deep range of feeling". The violin parts were well received by critics, as noted under the Reception section.
"A Chapter in Loathing" begins with the same riff that closed the band's last album, A Line of Deathless Kings
.
, calling his vocals "better than ever" and his lyrics "beautifully poetic and streamlined". Jurek also pointed out the entire band being on top-notch, with several good hooks in all instruments, and called the album both a good introduction to the band for new fans, and a good follow-up to fans of all the previous albums. David E. Gehlke of Blistering.com called For Lies I Sire to be My Dying Bride's second best album after 1999's The Light at the End of the World, and especially praised the work of new drummer Dan Mullins
, noting that he put out an "inspired performance, even getting colossal drum roll treatment on My Body, A Funeral and the death metal-tinged A Chapter In Loathing".
At the same time, several critics have noted the departure of death grunts on the later albums, including For Lies I Sire. Trey Spencer of Sputnik Music feels it has the album lacking important parts and calling it "a shame [...] because musically this is some of the best material they’ve released in over a decade". He also adds that he enjoys the album, but is "constantly waiting for a little extra kick that never comes".
Especially the return of the violin, as performed by Katie Stone, has been praised by critics; the aforementioned Sputnik Music critic noted that Stone often performed in style of past violinist Martin Powell
, only using the violin sparsely on certain passages, to surprise the listener. He especially praised the violin usage in the song My Body, a Funeral, noting that it "is used in a way that seems to extend the lyrics despite the lack of any words". David E. Gehlke of Blistering.com especially praised the album's interplay between the guitar riffs of Andrew Craighan
's and Hamish Glencross
, and Katie Stone's violin.
. Katie Stone resigned from the post to focus on her studies soon after the release of the album, to be replaced by Shaun MacGowan
for the upcoming tour and Bring Me Victory
EP.
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by British
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
doom metal
Doom metal
Doom metal is an extreme form of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other metal genres...
pioneers My Dying Bride
My Dying Bride
My Dying Bride are an English doom metal band formed in 1990. To date, My Dying Bride have released eleven full-length studio albums, three EPs, one demo, one box set, four compilation albums, one live album, and one live CD/DVD release. The band released their tenth studio album, For Lies I Sire,...
, released on March 23, 2009 via Peaceville Records
Peaceville Records
Peaceville Records is a British independent metal-oriented record label. The label was founded by Paul "Hammy" Halmshaw in 1987, in Dewsbury, England...
and April 21, 2009 in the United States. It is the first album without keyboardist
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
Sarah Stanton since she joined My Dying Bride in 2004 for their "Songs of Darkness, Words of Light
Songs of Darkness, Words of Light
Songs of Darkness, Words of Light is a 2004 album by the British doom metal band My Dying Bride. This album marks the debut of keyboardist Sarah Stanton. Initial copies of the album came in a hard clamshell case and featured a double sided poster and a fridge magnet as extras...
" album. Musically, it is their first album since 1996's "Like Gods of the Sun
Like Gods of the Sun
Like Gods of the Sun is an album by My Dying Bride released in 1996. This is the last album by the band to feature Rick Miah on drums and Martin Powell on keyboards and violins....
" to feature a violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, performed by new band member Katie Stone. The album was recorded during September 2008 in Manchester's Futureworks Studio.
Musical style
Andrew CraighanAndrew Craighan
Andrew Craighan is one of My Dying Bride's guitarists. Along with Aaron Stainthorpe, he is the only original member of the band still in the lineup. He played the guitar from 1989 to 1990 in the band Abiosis....
stated that the feel of the album is, in his words, "heading for empty and bleak with flashes of rage." Vocalist Aaron Stainthorpe
Aaron Stainthorpe
Aaron Stainthorpe is the vocalist for doom metal band My Dying Bride. He was born in England but moved to Germany when he was six months old, because his British army officer father was stationed in the country...
stated in an interview that For Lies I Sire is "quite possibly the most depressing thing we've created to date", and that it's an album that unites the past of the band with the future.
The album is the first since 1996's album Like Gods of the Sun
Like Gods of the Sun
Like Gods of the Sun is an album by My Dying Bride released in 1996. This is the last album by the band to feature Rick Miah on drums and Martin Powell on keyboards and violins....
to feature a violin, this time performed by new keyboardist and violinist Katie Stone. The idea of using violin again has been described by Stainthorpe as adding "a deep range of feeling". The violin parts were well received by critics, as noted under the Reception section.
"A Chapter in Loathing" begins with the same riff that closed the band's last album, A Line of Deathless Kings
A Line of Deathless Kings
A Line of Deathless Kings is the ninth studio album by My Dying Bride. It was released on October 9, 2006.A limited edition of the album comes in a hard clamshell case with a double sided poster and five postcards, depicting the full-time members of the band. The drummer on this album John Bennett...
.
Track listing
- "My Body, a Funeral" - 6:47
- "Fall with Me" - 7:15
- "The Lies I Sire" - 5:29
- "Bring Me Victory" - 4:08
- "Echoes from a Hollow Soul" - 7:19
- "ShadowHaunt" - 4:37
- "Santuario di Sangue" - 8:27
- "A Chapter in Loathing" - 4:46
- "Death Triumphant" - 11:06
Critical reception
The album was well received by critics. Thom Jurek of Allmusic especially praised Aaron StainthorpeAaron Stainthorpe
Aaron Stainthorpe is the vocalist for doom metal band My Dying Bride. He was born in England but moved to Germany when he was six months old, because his British army officer father was stationed in the country...
, calling his vocals "better than ever" and his lyrics "beautifully poetic and streamlined". Jurek also pointed out the entire band being on top-notch, with several good hooks in all instruments, and called the album both a good introduction to the band for new fans, and a good follow-up to fans of all the previous albums. David E. Gehlke of Blistering.com called For Lies I Sire to be My Dying Bride's second best album after 1999's The Light at the End of the World, and especially praised the work of new drummer Dan Mullins
Dan Mullins
Dan Mullins is an English metal drummer. He is most known for being the drummer of the death/doom metal band My Dying Bride. Mullins has cited drummers such as Buddy Rich, Mike Portnoy, Sean Reinert, and Paul Mazurkiewicz as influences....
, noting that he put out an "inspired performance, even getting colossal drum roll treatment on My Body, A Funeral and the death metal-tinged A Chapter In Loathing".
At the same time, several critics have noted the departure of death grunts on the later albums, including For Lies I Sire. Trey Spencer of Sputnik Music feels it has the album lacking important parts and calling it "a shame [...] because musically this is some of the best material they’ve released in over a decade". He also adds that he enjoys the album, but is "constantly waiting for a little extra kick that never comes".
Especially the return of the violin, as performed by Katie Stone, has been praised by critics; the aforementioned Sputnik Music critic noted that Stone often performed in style of past violinist Martin Powell
Martin Powell
Martin Powell is an English musician. In 1991, Powell auditioned for the position of bass-playing in the band My Dying Bride, but was turned down as the band had just filled the position...
, only using the violin sparsely on certain passages, to surprise the listener. He especially praised the violin usage in the song My Body, a Funeral, noting that it "is used in a way that seems to extend the lyrics despite the lack of any words". David E. Gehlke of Blistering.com especially praised the album's interplay between the guitar riffs of Andrew Craighan
Andrew Craighan
Andrew Craighan is one of My Dying Bride's guitarists. Along with Aaron Stainthorpe, he is the only original member of the band still in the lineup. He played the guitar from 1989 to 1990 in the band Abiosis....
's and Hamish Glencross
Hamish Glencross
Hamish Glencross is one of My Dying Bride's guitarists. He also co-founded the short lived Blackdoom Records with the other guitarist in the band, Andrew Craighan releasing The Prophecy's debut album "Ashes"....
, and Katie Stone's violin.
Charts
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Finnish Albums Chart | 24 |
Line-up
This was the first studio release featuring keyboardist/violinist Katie Stone, drummer Dan Mullins and bassist Lena Abé, although the latter two also featured on the 2008 live CD/DVD An Ode to WoeAn Ode to Woe
An Ode To Woe is My Dying Bride's latest live release. The set contains a live show recorded in Amsterdam on CD and DVD during the band's mini-tour for the album A Line of Deathless Kings. The set marks the second live CD release by the band, and the third on DVD. The show was originally broadcast...
. Katie Stone resigned from the post to focus on her studies soon after the release of the album, to be replaced by Shaun MacGowan
Shaun MacGowan
Shaun MacGowan is a UK-born violinist, keyboardist and guitarist, best known as the keyboardist and violinist of British doom metal band My Dying Bride. He replaced Katie Stone in 2009, and joined the band to tour the album For Lies I Sire...
for the upcoming tour and Bring Me Victory
Bring Me Victory
Bring Me Victory is an EP by the doom metal band My Dying Bride. "Bring Me Victory" is a song from My Dying Bride's previous album, For Lies I Sire; a video was made for the song and released on this EP. "Scarborough Fair", an English traditional song, has two additional verses incorporated into it...
EP.
- Aaron StainthorpeAaron StainthorpeAaron Stainthorpe is the vocalist for doom metal band My Dying Bride. He was born in England but moved to Germany when he was six months old, because his British army officer father was stationed in the country...
– vocals - Andrew CraighanAndrew CraighanAndrew Craighan is one of My Dying Bride's guitarists. Along with Aaron Stainthorpe, he is the only original member of the band still in the lineup. He played the guitar from 1989 to 1990 in the band Abiosis....
– guitars - Hamish GlencrossHamish GlencrossHamish Glencross is one of My Dying Bride's guitarists. He also co-founded the short lived Blackdoom Records with the other guitarist in the band, Andrew Craighan releasing The Prophecy's debut album "Ashes"....
– guitars - Lena AbéLena AbéLena Abé is the current bass guitarist for the UK doom metal band My Dying Bride. She replaced Adrian Jackson as bassist in 2007, which was around the same time Dan Mullins replaced John Bennett on drums.-Equipment:...
– bass - Katie Stone – keyboards, violins
- Dan MullinsDan MullinsDan Mullins is an English metal drummer. He is most known for being the drummer of the death/doom metal band My Dying Bride. Mullins has cited drummers such as Buddy Rich, Mike Portnoy, Sean Reinert, and Paul Mazurkiewicz as influences....
– drums