Speaker of the Dead

Speaker of the Dead is the fourth studio album by Nu metal band Emmure, released on February 15, 2011. It is the first release ever by the band to have a gap more than just a year between their last release. The record was produced by Joey Sturgis, who also produced the following full-length.[2] Speaker of the Dead is Emmure's fourth studio release under Victory Records, completing Victory's four-album deal at the time. However, Emmure re-signed with Victory and released two later albums, Slave to the Game on April 10, 2012, and Eternal Enemies on April 15, 2014.

Not to be confused with Speaker for the Dead.
Speaker of the Dead
Studio album by
Emmure
ReleasedFebruary 15, 2011[1]
RecordedThe Foundation Recording Studios, Connersville, Indiana
GenreNu metal
Length38:14
LabelVictory[1]
ProducerJoey Sturgis
Emmure chronology
Felony
(2009)		 Speaker of the Dead
(2011)		 Slave to the Game
(2012)
Singles from Speaker of the Dead
  1. "Drug Dealer Friend"
    Released: February 3, 2011
  2. "Solar Flare Homicide"
    Released: February 9, 2011[1]

Background

On January 7, 2011, Victory Records released a 41-second teaser on YouTube which displayed the album's official artwork, as well as giving a preview of "Children of Cybertron", the intro track off of the album.[3] On January 18, 2011, the first single, "Demons with Ryu", was released on iTunes and Amazon MP3. On February 9, 2011, a music video was made and released for the song "Solar Flare Homicide". At the release, Speaker of the Dead debuted at No. 68 on the Billboard 200, No. 18 on the Rock Albums chart, No. 4 on the Hard Rock Albums chart, and No. 11 on the Independent Albums chart. All the drums on Speaker of the Dead were programmed.[4]

Reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Under The Gun Review[5]
Review Rinse Repeat[6]

Speaker of the Dead received mixed reviews from critics, however, was praised by fans of Emmure's debut album Goodbye to the Gallows as to where the sound on Speaker of the Dead draws close to the record than any other release that they have made, according to the band.

Peter Gorgui of ReviewRinseRepeat.com wrote a negative review of the album calling Speaker of the Dead a "failure" and describing the album's content as "boring" and "desperate". Gorgui did, however, praise the production done on the album by Joey Sturgis, saying Sturgis gave the album "a crunchy and crisp sound."[6]

Track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Children of Cybertron"1:33
2."Area 64-66"2:33
3."Dogs Get Put Down"3:03
4."Demons with Ryu"3:02
5."Solar Flare Homicide"3:50
6."Eulogy of Giants"1:52
7."Bohemian Grove"3:23
8."4 Poisons 3 Words"2:56
9."Cries of Credo"2:43
10."Last Words to Rose"2:55
11."A Voice from Below"1:58
12."Drug Dealer Friend"2:37
13."My Name Is Thanos"2:08
14."Lights Bring Salvation"2:27
15."Word of Intulo"1:14
Total length:38:14

Notes
  • The title of the album refers to Orson Scott Card's novel Speaker for the Dead.
  • Track 1's title refers to Transformers.
  • Track 2 is about an Alien encounter vocalist Frankie Palmeri claims to have had as a child
  • Track 3's title is a line spoken by "Rorschach" from Watchmen. The song also references a line from the film, Pet Sematary.
  • Track 3 features a Waka Flocka reference-[Luv Dem Gun Sounds] at approx. 2:25
  • Track 4 of the album is about the character "Ryu" from the Street Fighter video game series.
  • Track 5 of the album is a reference to an attack from the Dragon Ball series "Solar Flare"
  • Track 7 refers to the Bohemian Grove political elite meetings in California.
  • Track 9 of the album references the mystic Credo Mutwa and his account of an encounter with extraterrestrial beings.
  • Track 10 is also about Street Fighter with lyrics referring to the characters "M.Bison" and "Rose" from the series.
  • Track 13 comes from Marvel Comics Super-villain Thanos and also contains a quote from Charles Manson in the lyrics.
  • In a promotional photo for the album, the boombox on the cover of the album is shown to be playing an audio cassette tape that reads "Emmure - SOTD".
  • Prior to the band changing their official logo upon the announcement of their sixth album Eternal Enemies, Speaker of the Dead is the only Emmure full-length album that doesn't feature the band's former official logo on its cover art.[7]
  • Three songs on Speaker of the Dead received music videos, the most in any of the band's album cycles.[8]

Personnel
Emmure
  • Frankie Palmeri - vocals
  • Jesse Ketive - lead guitar
  • Mike Mulholland - rhythm guitar
  • Mark Davis - bass guitar
Production
  • Produced, engineered, mixed, mastered and programmed drums by Joey Sturgis[9]
  • Edited vocals by Nick Sampson[9]
  • Produced vocals by Taylor Voeltz[9]
  • Artwork and layout by We Are Synapse[9]

References
  1. "Emmure Debut "Solar Flare Homicide" Music Video". Theprp.com. Retrieved 2013-08-17.
  2. ""Emmure Confirm New Album Studio Plans"". Theprp.com. Retrieved 2013-08-17.
  3. "Emmure 'Speaker of the Dead' in Stores Now!" on YouTube
  4. "Interview: Emmure's Frankie Palmeri on "Slave To The Game"". Altpress.com. 2012-02-23. Retrieved 2013-08-17.
  5. "Under the Gun review". Under the Gun review. 2011-02-16. Retrieved 2013-08-17.
  6. "Review Rinse Repeat". Review Rinse Repeat. Retrieved 2013-08-17.
  7. "Emmure at Victory Records". Victoryrecords.com. 2012-04-10. Retrieved 2013-08-17.
  8. "Emmure Music Videos". Emmuremerch.com. Retrieved 2013-08-17.
  9. "Album Credits at Allmusic". Allmusic.com. 2011-02-15. Retrieved 2013-08-17.
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