Reviewed by Peter John Willoughby

Corpus Christi is Latin for "body of Christ" and has been used as a band name several times already. This particular Corpus Christi are a metalcore band from Ohio. On this release the line-up was Will Henry (harsh vocals), Jarrod Christman (rhythm guitar and clean vocals), Jon Pauly (guitar), Phil Smith (bass) and Justin Evans (drums) and this 2009 album was their debut. The first thing that stands out is the technical ability of the drumming, closely followed by the mix of harsh and clean vocals. Whilst the guitar-work is adequate, it does not have much originality. "It's Always Been Darkest Before The Dawn" has brutal lyrical content ("The urge for escape, the taste of cold steel on my lips, the rope around my neck/These bitter pills and razorblades seal my fate/Demons resolve me"). It concludes with an anti-suicide plea ("Am I stronger than this? I choose to hold on, I am not my own, I will not let go"). The single "Fight For Your King" contains "I have fear in deep emotions/Come and lift me out of the dark/Blissful, ignite the battle, we know it's not eternal/We know our father, in Heaven, we know". Most of the themes are about trials, tribulations and despair. However, events were about to unravel the band. The first indication that all was not well was when Justin Evans (drums) unexpectedly left the band halfway through 2009's Scream The Prayer tour. They recruited Aaron Eckermann (A Plea For Purging) to fill in for the rest of the tour. Subsequently, all the band members left apart from Jarrod Christman, who retained the band name and went on to recruit a whole new group for their subsequent release, 'A Feast For Crows'.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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