Album Review: Asking Alexandria – Like A House On Fire (Sumerian Records)

Since 2008, Asking Alexandria have paved a path of their own, distilling danger and excess into an equally dangerous hybrid of stadium rock ambition, metallic energy, and electronic ecstasy. Against all odds, they achieved unprecedented success earmarked by two gold-certified singles (namely, “Final Episode (Let’s Change The Channel)” and “Not The American Average”), over a billion cumulative streams and views, and three consecutive top 10 debuts on the Billboard Top 200—Reckless & Relentless [2011], From Death to Destiny [2013], and The Black [2016]. In addition to headlining packed gigs on five continents, they destroyed stages alongside Guns N’ Roses, Green Day, Avenged Sevenfold, Alice In Chains, and Slipknot, to name a few. Meanwhile, 2017’s self-titled Asking Alexandria spawned two of the group’s biggest singles to date: “Alone In A Room” (40 million Spotify streams) and “Into the Fire” (30 million Spotify streams).

Fanning the flame like never before, the quintet—Ben Bruce [guitar, backing vocals], Danny Worsnop [lead vocals], James Cassells [drums], Cameron Liddell [guitar], and Sam Bettley [bass]—burn even brighter on their 2020 sixth full-length, Like A House On Fire. Out on May 15th 2020 via Sumerian Records.

A name you could bet your house on to release something with massive wide-spread appeal and to be super-successful. Asking Alexandria have carved out an impossibly grand career to date and with their latest, Like A House on Fire offering 15 new tracks for fans to sink their teeth into, that’s not likely to change anytime soon.

Especially when they start with such a set of catchy and bouncy rock tunes. House on Fire, They Don’t Want What We Want (And They Don’t Care) and Down to Hell have so much energy about them. Not overly complex or overly challenging but easy to tap your foot along too.

It’s not a slur on Asking Alexandria to say that or to suggest the majority of the album follows that formula. Sometimes with a bit more fire to the vocals, a bit more experimental in the effects department, purposely designed sing-along rhythms or down-right heavy moments.

It’s the previously mentioned effects that drive the verses of Antisocialist alongside some cutting lyrics. Before I Don’t Need You takes a mellow and gloomy turn and All Due Respect follows that up with something quite similar aside for a much punchier chorus. Of the two it is the former that really stands out.

Re-upping the energy, Take Some Time and One Turns to None are a pair of defiant rock heavyweights and shows just how and why the band has risen to such grand heights. A bit wilder and messier (the drum beat in particular), It’s Not Me (It’s You) is a party floor filler before it’s a return to the mellow rock tones of Here’s to Starting Over. However, the effects are overdone here, layered over the vocals occasionally to their detriment. A shame as the chorus has some serious weight to it.

It’s a slight wobble but just that as the rock heavyweights return to form with What’s Gonna Be, Give You Up and In My Blood. A trio that wander pleasantly through a myriad of effective ideas delivered by a band with the capabilities to do so. The latter is quite a pretty track, the melodies blended well with the danceable beat.

Finally, this lengthy effort closes out with two massive efforts; The Violence and Lorazepam. The former is one of the album’s best tracks as Asking Alexandria get a bit playful but also hit the hardest they have all album. While the latter has a wicked amount of growl to the vocals that make for a sexy as hell finale.

Regardless of if you think their popularity is undeserved, few can argue that Asking Alexandria haven’t worked for it. This long into their career, it’s clear they’re still willing to push themselves and ensure they deliver what their hulking fanbase demand.

Asking Alexandria – Like A House on Fire Full Track Listing:

1. House On Fire
2. They Don’t Want What We Want (And They Don’t Care)
3. Down to Hell
4. Antisocialist
5. I Don’t Need You
6. All Due Respect
7. Take Some Time
8. One Turns To None
9. It’s Not Me (It’s You)
10. Here’s to Starting Over
11. What’s Gonna Be
12. Give You Up
13. In My Blood
14. The Violence
15. Lorazepam

Links

Website | Facebook | Sumerian Records