Altsounds - Chiodos- Bone Palace Ballet: Grand Coda [Album]

In Chiodos' most recent album, "Bone Palace Ballet: Grand Coda" the Michigan sextet have quite simply outdone themselves to say the least. "Bone Palace Ballet: Grand Coda" is full of raw lyrics belted out by lead singer Craig Owens, who time after time continues to exceed expectations. "Bone Palace Ballet: The Grand Coda" shares some of the tracks with the original "Bone Palace Ballet," but adds four new tracks and two refreshing, acoustic takes on old favorites.

The delicate piano is more noticeable in 'A Letter From Janelle (acoustic),' and 'I Didn't Say I Was Powerful, I Said I Was A Wizard (acoustic).' The powerful screams in 'We Swam From The Albatross The Day We Lost Kailey Cost,' and 'Smitten For The Mitten,' give these tracks the potential to be the new moshing anthems of the year, maybe even of the decade? "Bone Palace Ballet: Grand Coda" is a follow up to 2007's "Bone Palace Ballet." Chiodos is well respected due to Craig Owens' consistently solid vocals, Bradley Bell's graceful yet powerful piano playing, Derrick Frost's rhythmic drumming, Jason Hale and Pat Mcmanaman's intricate riffs and Matt Goddard's skillful bass playing. "Bone Palace Ballet: Grand Coda" features string instrumentation as well. The marriage of violins, cellos and a french horn make chilling introductions on songs like 'Life is a Perception of Your Own Reality,' and 'Two Birds Stoned At Once.'

The dynamic lyrics are compelling not only because of Craig Owens' masterful falsetto and regular voice, but the lyrics are also so full of meaning. Quoting immortals like Charles Bukowski, William Shakespeare, Wayne Campbell (of the movie, Wayne's World ) and of course the Trailer Park Boys, ensures that this album retains quite a lot of lyrical depth. As a whole, "Bone Palace Ballet: Grand Coda" is a solid, interesting and worthwhile album. This is not an album that any person would regret buying. With the diversity of songs like the slow, heartfelt track 'Intensity in Ten Cities,' which is directly followed by the hardcore song, 'The Undertaker's Thirst for Revenge is Unquenchable (The Final Battle).' There truly is something for everyone.

Chiodos have ventured into new territory with this new album, and they have managed not to lose themselves at the same time. Quite the opposite in fact, they have grown and outdone themselves.