Album Review: Converge - 'No Heroes'

In my eyes, Converge can do no wrong. They encompass everything an extreme band should. They are heavy in the truest sense of the word. We’re not talking breakdown after breakdown and “emotionally heavy” lyrics (I don’t care if your daddy didn’t buy you a new bike when you were 12). What I am talking about is a band that pushes themselves to the extreme – not to impress people with their technical proficiency, not to bow to label pressure – but to test their limits as individuals and as a band.

First up is the always impressive artwork from band frontman Jake Bannon. So often you come across a CD which has suggestion, morbid illustrations – which is all good and well until you actually put the album on and you’re hit with a barrage of 2nd rate riffing and lyrics about as evil as a walk on the beach. Once again Jake has given his band’s record the royal treatment. The packaging speaks volumes about the music contained within. A slab of visceral noise which is as ominous as the soaring vulture that adorns the cover art.

Although I’ve only had the CD for a few weeks I feel confident in saying that this is the band’s strongest effort to date. I didn’t think it was possible to top Jane Doe, but No Heroes is like a bull out of a gate. The first 10 minutes of the record is some of the most intense music my ears have been privileged to, and even though the rest of No Heroes doesn’t continue at the same frantic pace, it still manages to kick my arse every time I hear it.

As any Converge record, there are no standout tracks. Converge do not

write singles, they write albums. No filler, no hooks. Just a musical

journey that is guaranteed to impress you upon every listen.

1. "Heartache" – 1:43
2. "Hellbound" – 1:07
3. "Sacrifice" – 1:37
4. "Vengeance" – 0:58
5. "Weight of the World" – 1:25
6. "No Heroes" – 3:43
7. "Plagues" – 4:43
8. "G