The Hymn of a Broken Man

The Hymn of a Broken Man
Studio album by Times of Grace
Released January 18, 2011 (2011-01-18)
Genre Metalcore, heavy metal, post-rock
Length 52:56
Label Roadrunner
Producer Adam Dutkiewicz
Single cover for "Strength In Numbers"

The Hymn of a Broken Man is the debut album by American metalcore duo Times of Grace, released on January 18, 2011 through Roadrunner Records.

Background

When touring the UK with Killswitch Engage,[1] guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz required emergency surgery on his back.[1] While in the hospital recovering, he began writing new material which he later recorded and demoed at home.[1] Dutkiewicz later contacted former Killswitch Engage band mate and singer Jesse Leach about writing lyrics and recording vocals[1] feeling that he "[doesn't] think [he is] the greatest vocalist and lyricist" and "wanted a little help in that department."[1] Under the moniker Times of Grace, they began recording material in 2008[2] with Dutkiewicz stating on the group's Myspace that the songs were "an epic mix of Metal/Rock/Pop/Shoe gaze & Punk. All of your metal expectations will be incorrect, we are pushing genre boundaries".[2] They hoped to release an album of finished material by the summer of 2009.[2]

After completing the recording of material in 2009,[3] Times of Grace returned in 2010[4][5][6] to release their debut album.[4] Dutkiewicz recorded vocals,[1] guitars, bass and drums for the album[1] with Leach providing lead vocals and lyrics.[1] In September, they filmed a video for the single "Strength in Numbers",[7] with debut album The Hymn of a Broken Man scheduled for release on November 9.[7] However, the album's release was delayed[8] with a new release date of January 18, 2011.[3][9] The majority of songs on the album are played in Drop D tuning, although for the songs "Fight for Life", "Until the End of Days", "The End of Eternity" and "Fall From Grace" Adam uses a 7 string tuned to Drop A.

Release

Upon release, The Hymn of a Broken Man charted at number 44 on the Billboard 200, selling nearly 10,000 copies.[10] It also debuted at number 2 on the Hard Rock charts and number 13 on the Rock album chart overall as well.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic69/100[11]
Review scores
SourceRating
About.com[12]
AbsolutePunk80%[13]
Allmusic[14]
Artistdirect[15]
BBC Musicfavorable[16]
Blistering8.5/10[17]
PopMatters8/10[18]
Rock Sound8/10[19]

The Hymn of a Broken Man received generally positive reviews, scoring a 69 out of 100 on Metacritic based on seven reviews.[11] Allmusic reviewer Phil Freeman commented that "Anyone who thought Times of Grace was going to represent some radical departure is bound to be disappointed. Anybody who comes to it expecting melodic metal with hardcore crunch, occasional bits of post-rock guitar, and angsty yet ultimately life-affirming lyrics, on the other hand, will be pleased." Rick Florino of Artistdirect gave the album a perfect score of five out of five, commenting that "The Hymn of a Broken Man functions as a heavy, heartfelt journey through pain," and that "Times Of Grace are the future. Let another new age begin."

Track listing

All lyrics written by Jesse Leach and Adam Dutkiewicz, all music composed by Adam Dutkiewicz.

No. Title Length
1. "Strength in Numbers"   4:16
2. "Fight for Life"   3:36
3. "Willing"   3:23
4. "Where the Spirit Leads Me"   3:36
5. "Until the End of Days"   4:21
6. "Live in Love"   3:49
7. "In the Arms of Mercy"   1:54
8. "Hymn of a Broken Man"   3:13
9. "The Forgotten One"   4:38
10. "Hope Remains"   4:49
11. "The End of Eternity"   5:52
12. "Worlds Apart"   4:33
13. "Fall from Grace"   4:57
Total length:
 52:56

Charts

Chart (2011) Peak
Position
German Newcomer Chart[20] 7
U.S. Billboard 200[10] 44

Personnel

The album's credits and personnel can be obtained from Allmusic.[21]

Times of Grace
Additional personnel
Production

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Chamberlain, Rich (October 15, 2010). "Interview: Killswitch Engage's Adam D returns to the kit with Times Of Grace (p. 1)". MusicRadar.
  2. 1 2 3 "Killswitch member's new project". Kerrang!. October 8, 2008.
  3. 1 2 "A Message From Jesse Leach...". Roadrunner. November 5, 2010.
  4. 1 2 "ADAM DUTKIEWICZ And JESSE LEACH Re-Team In TIMES OF GRACE". Blabbermouth.net. August 17, 2010.
  5. ↑ "Times Of Grace See Adam D & Original KSE Singer Reunited". Metal Hammer. August 18, 2010.
  6. ↑ "Killswitch Engage guitarist teams up with original singer". Kerrang!. August 18, 2010.
  7. 1 2 "TIMES OF GRACE To Film 'Strength In Numbers' Video". Blabbermouth.net. September 22, 2010.
  8. ↑ "Times Of Grace Album Delayed". Metal Hammer. November 10, 2010.
  9. ↑ "TIMES OF GRACE: 'The Hymn Of A Broken Man' Artwork, Final Track Listing Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. October 21, 2010.
  10. 1 2 "TIMES OF GRACE Debut Cracks U.S. Top 50". Blabbermouth.net. Jan 26, 2011.
  11. 1 2 "The Hymn of a Broken Man - Times of Grace". Metacritic. Retrieved 2011-07-26.
  12. ↑ Bower, Chad. "Times Of Grace - 'The Hymn Of A Broken Man'". About.com. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Times of Grace - Hymn of a Broken Man". AbsolutePunk. February 18, 2011.
  14. ↑ Freeman, Phil. "Hymn of a Broken Man Review". Allmusic. Retrieved January 15, 2011.
  15. ↑ Florino, Rick (January 3, 2011). "Times Of Grace "The Hymn Of A Broken Man" Review". Artistdirect.
  16. ↑ Rauf, Raziq (January 24, 2011). "Times of Grace The Hymn of a Broken Man Review". BBC.
  17. ↑ Mallah, Leon. "Times of Grace - The Hymn Of A Broken Man (Roadrunner Records)". Blistering. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  18. ↑ Colgan, Chris (March 18, 2011). "Times of Grace: The Hymn of a Broken Man". PopMatters.
  19. ↑ Kerswell, Ronnie (January 10, 2011). "Times Of Grace - The Hymn Of A Broken Man". Rock Sound.
  20. ↑ "Bruno Mars zum Zweiten". media control. 2011-01-28. Retrieved 2011-01-27.
  21. ↑ "Hymn of a Broken Man Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved January 15, 2011.
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