Throwback Thursday: “The Caitiff Choir” by It Dies Today from 2004

Originally released in 2004 via Trustkill records, “The Caitiff Choir” by It Dies Today was the part of a wave of Metalcore albums at the height of the genre. Metalcore had taken over from Nu-Metal and Trustkill were a label milking it for all it was worth and as history documents, mistreating a number of bands on their roster along the way. The album did so well in fact that it was re-released with its proceeding “Forever Scorned” EP and a cover of Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy The Silence” (a contribution to “The Masters Of Horror” Soundtrack) in 2006. The album itself is a fine example of Metalcore, setting a benchmark for the genre as a whole with Tony Gammalo’s production and engineering setting the material alight. Nicholas Brooks vocal range is showcased throughout with both clean and unclean vocals as well as lyrics that demonstrate compassion over fashion. The guitar partnership of Mike Hatalak and Chris Cappelli is blend that suits the vocals well, mixing up breakdowns with shredding and solos. While the “Forever Scorned” EP sounds raw in comparison, it does set the tone for what was to come and demonstrate great musicianship, indeed “Sentiments Of You” remained in the bands live set until their hiatus in 2015. The dark atmospherics and bordering on Gothical themes in a similar way to the later Atreyu adds a layer of depth not often seen in the Metalcore genre.

The Caitiff Choir
1. My Promise 00:00
2. Severed Ties Yield Severed Heads 03:01
3. The Radiance 06:01
4. The Depravity Waltz 09:16
5. A Threnody For Modern Romance 12:28
6. Marigold 15:53
7. Freak Gasoline Fight Accident 19:00
8. The Caitiff Choir: Revelations 22:51
9. Our Disintegration 26:04
10. Naenia 29:43
11. The Caitiff Choir: Defeatism 33:21

Forever Scorned EP
12. Sentiments Of You 39:40
13. Bridges Left Burning 44:00
14. The Requiem For Broken Hearts 48:10
15. Forever Scorned 53:47
16. Blood Stained Bedsheet Burden 57:49
17. A Romance By The Wings Of Icarus 1:02:56
18. Enjoy The Silence 01:09:15 (Depeche Mode cover)