The Resistance: Rise of The Runaways

The Resistance: Rise of the Runaways
Studio album by Crown the Empire
Released July 22, 2014
Genre Metalcore, post-hardcore, melodic hardcore, melodic metalcore
Length 50:52
Label Rise
Producer Dan Korneff
Crown the Empire chronology

The Fallout
(2012)
The Resistance: Rise of The Runaways
(2014)
Singles from The Resistance: Rise of The Runaways
  1. "Initiation"
    Released: June 19, 2014

The Resistance: Rise of The Runaways is the second album by American metalcore band Crown The Empire and was released on July 22, 2014, via Rise Records. Akin to their debut album features Joey Sturgis, but also features Dan Korneff as the producer as well.

Background and recording

It was announced by the band's label, Rise Records, that they would be going into a studio in Michigan on January 3, 2014, with Joey Sturgis producing the album.[1] Later the next month, the band released a teaser for a new song to be featured on the album.[2] The same month they released a statement revealing that they had completed recording drums and were continuing with the other instruments, and also that producer Dan Korneff will also be aiding in the bands production.[3]

The album was officially announced on June 18 by the band and was given the title The Resistance: Rise of The Runaways, a release date of July 22 and its artwork was also released. The announcement was made on the official YouTube channel of Rise Records with a teaser trailer, which, along with the title, release date and artwork, also contained a teaser for a track from the upcoming album.[4]

After the albums release, the band supported metal band Asking Alexandria in the UK throughout October and November.[5]

Release

The album was teased and announced on June 18 with a release date of July 22, 2014, announced in a teaser trailer distributed by Rise Records.[4] Two days later, the first single and second track "Initiation" was released.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
Source Rating
Metacritic 82/100
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic [6]
Alternative Press [7]
Big Cheese 7/10[8]
Bring the Noise 8/10[9]
Kerrang! KKKK[10]
Mind Equals Blown 8/10[11]
New Noise Magazine [12]
Outburn 9/10[13]
Rock Sound 7/10[14]
SF Media [15]

The Resistance: Rise of the Runaways was welcomed with positive reception by critics. Review aggregate Metacritic gave the album an 82 out of 100 based on 4 professional reviews, citing "universal acclaim." In a four-and-a-half star review from Alternative Press, Phil Freeman averring, "Crown The Empire have stepped up in a big way, with every aspect of The Resistance: Rise Of The Runaways coming across bigger, harder and just more than their full-length debut".[7] Rob Sayce at Rock Sound says "Talk about impeccable timing. In its propensity for Hollywood-style melodrama and barrage of arena-friendly hooks, Crown The Empire’s second album is both relentlessly on trend and yet relatively individual, succeeding where previous effort ‘The Fallout’ so often faltered", bestowing a seven out of ten upon the work.[14] In a three-and-a-half star review from AllMusic, Gregory Heaney claiming, "Crown the Empire widen their dynamic range with the simultaneously soaring and punishing... In fact, this theatricality is easily the album's most engaging feature, making The Resistance: Rise of the Runaway a unique offering in an otherwise dull post-hardcore landscape."[6]

Lais Martins Waring for Big Cheese believing, "'The Resistance' probably won’t change any lives, but Crown The Empire should be proud of their second album, because it’s pretty damn enjoyable. They’re onto a good thing here. Keep an eye on them", bequeathing the project a seven out of ten.[8] In a nine out of ten review for Outburn, Brooke Daly tells "The highlight of The Resistance: Rise of the Runaways is the musicianship... The album sounds progressive while maintaining their core sound. They have honed it, creating a thrilling album in the process."[13] Nathaniel Lay of New Noise Magazine remarks "Rise of the Runaways is a bit more deliberate and elaborate in design... an album of fair size, and therefore offers plenty of content... The Resistance is also certainly a worthy release for its scene. Crown the Empire are most definitely talented musicians, and they could be onto something here. Maybe in an album or two, they’ll become unstoppable", conferring a four star rating upon the project.[12] Thomas Doyle of Kerrang! gave the album four K's out of a possible five, praising the concept album for not trying to be too clever and resulting in overblown monstrosities, and goes on to say that it feels energised and packed with the energy and spirit of metalcore music with an added narrative.[10]

In an eight out of ten review for Mind Equals Blown, Emma Guido underscoring, "From what it looks like, The Resistance has proved that they are capable of creating a storm, or rather a rebellion, in the music scene. They have a unique style, incredible talent, and a faithful fan base, making this breakthrough band the next big thing."[11] Matthew Sievers articulates how "'The Resistance' is another staple in this band’s already blazing career that will push them so far into the limelight, they’ll be rubbing their eyes in disbelief", giving the project four and a half stars. In an eight out of ten review at Bring the Noise, Matt Borucki ascertaining "The Resistance: Rise of the Runaways is more mature and more sophisticated, yet still holds the youthful glow that turned heads in the first place."[9]

Commercial performance

The album sold more than 24,000 copies in its debut week of August 9, 2014 by Billboard, whilst the album charted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200.[16]

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Crown the Empire, Brendan Barone and Bennett Vogelman[17]. 

No. Title Length
1. "A Call to Arms (Act I)"   3:01
2. "Initiation"   4:40
3. "Millennia"   3:44
4. "Machines"   4:29
5. "The Wolves of Paris (Act II)"   1:42
6. "MNSTR"   3:29
7. "Second Thoughts"   3:42
8. "Maniacal Me"   3:33
9. "Satellites (Act III)"   2:07
10. "Rise of the Runaways"   3:35
11. "Bloodline"   4:20
12. "The Phoenix Reborn"   5:45
13. "Johnny's Rebellion"   6:45

Personnel

All credits were extracted from the website AllMusic.[18]

Crown the Empire
  • David Escamilla - vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Brandon Hoover - rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Brent Taddie - drums
  • Hayden Tree - bass
  • Andrew "Andy Leo" Velasquez - lead vocals
  • Bennett "Benn Suede" Vogelman - lead guitar, backing vocals
Additional musicians
  • Brendan Barone - vocals
  • Nathan Cannon - vocals
  • Bailey Crego - guitar
  • Dave Eggar - cello
  • Rachel Golub - violin
  • Chip Lambert - percussion

Technical personnel
  • Brendan Barone - production, composer, creative director, instrumentation
  • Nathan Cannon - mixing
  • JJ Cassiere - booking
  • Kris Crummett - mixing
  • Dan Korneff - producer
  • Alex Prieto - production
  • Joey Sturgis - mastering
  • Tom Taaffe - booking
  • Bennett Vogelman - production, composer, mixing

Release history

Region Date Format Label Catalog no.
World wide July 22, 2014 CD[19] Rise RR 2392
Digital download[20] 819531015397
LP[21] RR 2391

Chart performance

Chart (2014) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[22] 7
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)[23] 1
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[24] 1
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[25] 1

References

  1. Kraus, Brian. "Crown The Empire enter the studio with Joey Sturgis". Altpress.com. Altpress. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  2. Crane, Matt. "Crown The Empire tease new song". Altpress.com. Altpress. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  3. "Crown The Empire Give Update On New Album Progress". Theprp.com. The PRP. Retrieved 18 June 2014. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Crown The Empire announce details of 'The Resistance: Rise Of The Runaways'". Rocksound.com. Rocksound. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  5. "Asking Alexandria announce UK support acts". Kerrang.com. Kerrang!. Retrieved 18 June 2014. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  6. 6.0 6.1 Heaney, Gregory. "The Resistance: The Rise of the Runaways – Crown the Empire". AllMusic. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Freeman, Phil (July 22, 2014). "Crown The Empire - The Resistance: The Rise Of The Runaways". Alternative Press. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Waring, Lais Martins (July 21, 2014). "Crown The Empire: The Resistance: Rise of the Runaways". Big Cheese. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Borucki, Matt. "ALBUM REVIEW: Crown the Empire – The Resistance: Rise of the Runaways". Bring the Noise. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  10. 10.0 10.1 Tomas, Doyle (2 August 2014). "Crown The Empire 'The Resistance: Rise Of The Runways'". Kerrang! (1528) (Kerrang!). Kerrang!. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  11. 11.0 11.1 Guido, Emma (July 25, 2013). "Crown The Empire The Resistance: Rise of the Runaways". Mind Equals Blown. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  12. 12.0 12.1 Lay, Nathaniel (July 21, 2014). "Album Review: Crown The Empire – "The Resistance: Rise of the Runaways"". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  13. 13.0 13.1 Daly, Brooke (2014). "Crown the Empire: The Resistance: The Rise of the Runaways". Outburn (Octavia Laird and Rodney Kusano) (75): 57. ISSN 1542-1309. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  14. 14.0 14.1 Sayce, Rob (July 29, 2014). "Crown The Empire - The Resistance: Rise Of The Runaways". Rock Sound. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  15. Sievers, Matthew. "Crown the Empire – The Resistance: Rise of The Runaways". SF Media. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  16. Caulfield, Keith (July 30, 2014). "5 Seconds Of Summer Debuts At No. 1 On Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  17. "Crown the Empire The Resistance: Rise of the Runaways". AllMusic.com. AllMusic. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  18. "Crown the Empire The Resistance: Rise of the Runaways". AllMusic.com. AllMusic. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  19. "Crown the Empire The Resistance: Rise of the Runaways (CD - Rise #RR 2392)". AllMusic.com. AllMusic. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  20. "Crown the Empire The Resistance: Rise of the Runaways (Digital Download - Rise Records #819531015397)". AllMusic.com. AllMusic. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  21. "Crown the Empire Resistance: Rise of the Runaways [LP/CD] (LP - Rise Records #RR 2391)". AllMusic.com. AllMusic. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  22. "Crown the Empire Album & Song Chart History" Billboard 200 for Crown the Empire. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  23. "Crown the Empire Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums for Crown the Empire. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  24. "Crown the Empire Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Independent Albums for Crown the Empire. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  25. "Crown the Empire Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Top Rock Albums for Crown the Empire. Retrieved July 31, 2014.