BRAINKILLER FORUM • View topic - The Day Is My Enemy 30/03/15

So I've been listening to the album since last Friday. Definitely needed couple listens to really get into it, but it's a great album. Definitely more hard-hitting than the last one, though Invaders holds a special value for me too. But now for my initial review if people are not already bored to read them:

The Day sets the tone of the album right away and it's recognizable Prodigy. Didn't first like the eight-bit parts but it gives after all a good variation to a dark and distorted vibe. The vocal is great, the "get downs" not as much. I've really started to love this, military drums bring the menace.

Nasty has grown on me greatly after its first airing. I wasn't quite happy with it first but now I consider it already as part of the family and also one of the better tracks of the album. Cheesy lyrics and all yes, but the main riff is catchy and it's a proper one to get stuck in your head. It's all what the title says really. Nasty and The Day make much more sense in album context, it's crazy.

Rebel Radio - instant banger for me! Those beats simply murder. One of the heaviest beats in any of their tracks, the sampled Firestarter snares bring the mayhem. Almost brought a tear in my eye first listen, gives me goosebumps still. I like the vocals in this (except maybe "let the rebel radio sound" part), vocoder works amazingly. Only if this track had some last element in the final drop, like the original Heatwave guitar riff, it would be just perfect. But hey, it's maybe the best track on the album so I'm happy anyway.

Ibiza is fun. Could've worked as a one-minute skit for all I care but it's not too long now either. Not much variation going on but it's just a trashy punk tune with jarring synths and that's how it works. There's just something hilarious I find about a cursing Brit with a super strong accent so this gives a smile on my face, grower.

Destroy, I loved the original demo when it came out 2008-ish. Especially the intro with the menacing synth stabs that to my joy survived exactly the same. Then I was like "man, if only this was released some day". This has the old school vibe combined with new sounds and a surprising outro. Feels maybe empty in places because I was used to Wiley rapping "Why don't you and me, destroy the melody!" But since most of the tracks on this album are lyric tracks, it's good to have some (almost) instrumentals too. This is in my top three for sure, sick track.

Wild Frontier was already going to be my worst track on the album. But it's a nice variation in album context and ain't that dull after all. It's alright I guess. The beat flows well and it's a melodic pause between some bangers. Could be kind of anthemic live.

Rok-Weiler is definitely better for live shows but it's a good studio track also. The chorus is so silly but it has that quality you can't help but sing along with Keef. The new melodic parts work well with the ruff attitude of this. Feels a bit empty in the bass section at some points? As many of you have said, the lyrics are also quite low in the mix on this album. Strange decisions.

Beyond the Deathray isn't a new Weather Experience but it's very interesting, almost soundtrack-like. It doesn't have a beat but with its fast, super-distorted bleepy synth melody it feels pretty in your face really. Can't get a soothing feeling out of it like with 3 Kilos or Climbatize. The middle section with just the bass, the feedback guitar stab, and atmospheric synths is the most beautiful part. Pure sci-fi sound. I'd love more tracks like this, it's great after all.

Rhythm Bomb is a mess. I just really can't get into it, so many things going on that feel like they are from different tracks. The beat is like a bad version of Who U Foolin' (one really underrated b-side from AONO). Maybe it grows on me some day but it just doesn't feel like Prodigy to me. I even dislike the vocal, it's annyoing. Listenable, but not a one to really like.

Roadblox is basically Spitfast reworked (which kills live) but it's surprisingly mellow and epic even though it has hard beats. First drum 'n' bassy album tune from the boys also. I like the melodies and rolling vibe in this one, not one of my favourite tracks though but good none the less. Growing on me all the time.

Get Your Fight on is okay once you get trough the fact it has the Hospital beats copy pasted. I like TMTTH more to be honest. I like this too, but it feels more filler than some of the tunes. By the way, it has the same synths as Deathray and Wild Frontier in the breakdown.

Medicine has a sick beat and samples. The vocal is something that kind of ruins it for me - would love an instrumental maybe. Again not an instant love affair, still struggling with this one.

Invisible Sun doesn't sound like The Prodigy at all and that's why it's a brave and surprising move. It's chill and a track that really makes images run through your brain. Tim Hutton obviously sings the higher parts but I really love how Keef does his vocals. It's so low and against his usual screamy style. It sounds basically like how his normal talking sound is. Feels more mature somehow, interesting track (the bleeps are cool). This almost feels like a closing track until...

...Wall Of Death! It's a smashing closer and one of the heaviest shit they've ever done. Makes me move, this must be sick live. Love both vocals from Maxim and Keef, top quality of the album. Thinking about that this track is basically from a dance act is amazing, it's rocking.

Rise of the Eagles is a bonus track and it's good that way. Only listened to it like two or three times now. It's a good cover and basically just punk rock with electronic touches. Better than the original for all I know. Nothing too speacial really but it's fine. Good that it wasn't on album. The intro motorbike sounds might be Keef racing, right? And am I hearing Liam doing a line of vocals here? Wow.

The Day is My Enemy is a strong Prodigy album, it kicks ass. Liked the first half maybe better, not raising all of these tracks amongst the classics yet. The best thing is that it's surprising with track structures and sounds all the way through, not just all Prodigy-by-numbers. Also the feeling of really jamming and playing live can be sensed on this album, it was not just Liam sitting on a laptop. Lot's of unique sounds and much details. Mellow and warm melodies combined with massive amounts of distrotion and filthy analogue. Also digging out old Prodigy samples and old demos was a fun touch. Looking forward for new b-sides if there are any, and AWOL. That could've replaced at least Rhythm Bomb haha.

I won't make any lists to compare all the albums, but yeah Jilted is probably the best always. Many of my fave tracks come from all albums anyway so. Experience is a mess of an album but the era has super tracks scattered all around different singles, the album, and various versions of tracks. Fat and AONO have some of the greatest tracks too but they don't work perfectly as whole albums. That's why I'm more of an era guy when it comes to The Prodigy.

TL;DR

My top three at the moment: Rebel Radio, Destroy, Wall of Death

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