It’s a little odd that Haste the Day still exists. The band formed in 2001, and in 2010 bass player Mike Murphy is the only original member remaining. Two of the group’s members joined as late as last year.

Be that as it may, whether you consider this Haste The Day the real deal or not, they have made a pretty great metal album. The screamed verse and melodic chorus structure that the group follow on “Attack Of The Wolf King” bring to mind Underoath. However, in place of that group’s sludgy dissonance, Haste The Day prefer crisp metal riffing and harmonic solo runs.

It’s more of an old-school approach and it works well. Of course, there’s enough here to please hardcore fans as well. “The Quiet, Deadly Ticking” in particular will set off many a circle pit when the band hit the road to tour this album.

If you’re a fan of groups like August Burns Red or Blindside, you’ll like what you hear.

Four out of five stars