Converge - Jane Doe ALBUM REVIEW 

The most intense live performance Ive ever seen was a converge show in las vegas around 2002. The venue they were supposed to play at apparently oversold tickets and were told there were too many people to have the show there. So the venue switched to the huntridgetheater, which was this super run down old 1940s movie theater, that mostly punk bands played at. But when everyone got there apparently no one had a key to open the actual theater. So there are about 400 angry kids crammed into this tiny hallway leading to where the actual theater was and the band decides to just set up there and play the set in this narrow, crowded hallway. The show starts and immediately everything starts to get really violent (as hardcore shows tend to be) with essentially the hallway becoming one giant mosh pit. Being an old theater, there was a huge glass chandelier hanging from the ceiling, really close to the band, which people began grabbing and swinging from. Pieces of glass start breaking off and people pick up pieces and start chucking them everywhere. At the band, the crowd and the 2 poor security guards there. Its literally just raining down glass and I start noticing blood smearing on the walls. A dude in the pit is literally gushing blood from his head, but still going fucking nuts at the same time, flinging blood on everyone and everything. This whole time this madness is happening, the band is unrelenting and in the middle of a song, the singer takes the mic, whips it directly into the chandelier, causing all the lights to turn off, rips it back out and immediately as he does, he screams and all the lights turn back on. It was literally the most cinematic thing Ive ever seen happen at a show and it was so perfect it couldnt have possibly been planned. I left the show, covered in sweat and blood, with two teeth i found randomly on the ground. The next day, the hallway (which now looked like it was in a nuclear bomb) was featured on the front page of the newspaper, with a headline "huntridge theater indefinitely closed". Im pretty sure its been closed to shows ever since.

Concubine is one of the most savage openers of all time.

Now we need a Calculating Infinity review

The review we didn’t know we needed

This album was actually received very negatively by most critics at the time. You can dig up some of the original reviews. It’s pretty funny.

"This thing is basically the soundtrack to hearing damage" Have Jane Doe'd, can confirm.

c’mon we’re getting so close to a Deathconciousness review

I don't think there's a converge album that isn't classic at this point

10/10 one of the best albums of all time imo.

For me personally, this is one of the absolute best albums I've ever heard. Not only because of the tight, pummeling performances from everyone in the band, but also for how emotionally draining it can be. From a musical standpoint, it starts up incredibly fast and aggressive, then towards the middle there's a little variation to their regular onslaught, then the end flows to an impactful finale. And on a lyrical level, it's revealed that this album is pretty conceptual, as the lyrics describe the many mixed negative emotions that come with awful breakups, lovelessness, longing for your former partner, and the depression that comes with knowing that not only was the end of a relationship a product of your shortcomings, but also the harsh reality that the time and emotional outpouring you gave to the one you love was all for not. I don't know about any of you that are reading this, but the messaging that Jacob Bannon portrayed on this album really hit home for me. I've experienced really awful relationships and breakups all the same, so to see all those same emotions displayed in such ferocity on this album most definitely stirred a visceral reaction from me. I cannot recommend this record to anyone who's a fan of metal or hardcore enough. Phenomenal record that I will buy a copy of for whatever musical medium I'm currently using no matter what.

There's a video on YT of a band at a wedding playing Concubine and everyone throwing down and y'all need to watch it.

I love this verse from Heaven in Her Arms "Death was just a simple glance across a dim lit room And those eyes did it Those three words did it Those three words killed him And I surrender to it all Between you and me, I surrender to you Forgive me for the sadness And the bringing of you down I just needed a lover and I needed a friend And there you were Running from forever like all the rest Three simple words bled me dry Three simple word bled us dry, bled us dry I love you"

We need a The Dillinger Escape plan worst to best

This album lowkey revolutionized heavy music production. Made big mids guitar tone and massive stereo bus compression much more common.

Melon got in his feels bc people called him a pop apologist and had to flex his punk cred. THANK YOU ANYWAY FOR THIS ONE MELON ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

‘Phoenix in Flames’ is what sold this album, and this band, to me. I think the artistry of that song is incredible. It sounds exactly like what the title describes. If you can listen to it and not find that imagery burning in your mind then I pity your imagination.

*Classics review for the Charlie Brown Christmas special.*

Absolutely crushing masterpiece

anything other than 10/10 is wrong about this album. probably one of the best and most important albums in the genre

I'm really glad he appreciated Thaw. Most underrated song on the album

I saw Converge back in 2012 at a gig in Portland, me and my friend had on some of those stupid horse head masks you see everywhere and were headbanging violently in front row. In between songs Jacob Bannon looked at us and said "You fuckers are gonna make me crack up in the middle of a song" 😂 he asked for one of the masks, we threw it on the stage and he gave it to the drummer who then proceeded to play the next few songs with the horse mask on. I also stagedived at that show. It was a good time.

No talk about the lyrics and themes of it though? The context behind the album is what elevated it from excellent to masterpiece for me. IIIIIII WAAAAAANT OOOOUUUUUT

As your wearing a Napalm Death shirt I would’ve expected this review to go for 4 seconds. Disappointed again Melon

I would like to watch this review but every time he says a song title I just wanna listen to the record. One of the best produced albums of all time

Bannon's vocals are a mouthful of hell. Absolute classic record that stands the test of time and forever will.

At the Drive-In Relationship of Command review when

It's actually low key insane just how consistent Converge are.

Melon looking like he's gonna show up to my front door to sell cookies

2001 was an underrated great year in metal with this classic, SoaD’s Toxicity, Slipknot’s Iowa and Tool’s Lateralus

This album turns 20 years this September. You should try to reach out to the members of Converge and talk with them about this album!

One of my fav's. Glad you decided to do this one so more people can hopefully find Converge.

In 2002 I saw Converge open for Hatebreed. During the opening bands, the tension between metalheads and hardcore/breakdown kids was so intense that Converge started a riot when they hit the stage. They got a 7 year ban from from the venue and my local hardcore scene boycotted the venue they played.

Review “Spirit They’re Gone, Spirit They’ve Vanished”, “Diary”, “Soundtracks for the Blind”, “A Promise”, and “Spiritual Unity” please

It doesn't matter if I've largely "moved on" from metal music. I always come back to Jane Doe and my wife finds me thrashing in the living room.

REVIEW MEZZANINE BY MASSIVE ATTACK, I DARE YOU.

Who tf else had to re read the title to make sure this was real?????

The back to back 3 album run of Jane Doe, You Fail Me and No Heroes is still mindblowing to this day. I cant think of any other metal band with that solid of a musical identity, at that level of quality. And while they are still putting out quality and experimental albums since, those 3 are a band pushing through and claiming the crown.

You Fail Me was my intro to Converge, it bowled me over and have been a fan of all that followed. Have tried to get on board with Jane Doe over the years without ever really locking in, this review motivated another listen. I get it now, this thing rips. Thank you M’Damn Shoulder!

Finally! Converge is legendary

The last song is one of the best closers of any album

An absolute 10/10 in my book. Heavier than most metal albums.

possibly the best metal record of the century so far

As you can probably tell, this is one of my favourite albums bar none. It's aged so gracefully, it sounds amazing, the songwriting is impeccable, the flow is perfect, the performances are tight and (unbelievably) intense, it's really emotionally intense and visceral, it's remarkably diverse and dynamic... it's truly a one of a kind album that inhabits 'must hear before you die' territory.

Undoubtedly one of my favorite albums of all time. Possibly even my favorite. Really stoked that you finally gave it a classic review, I’ve been wondering when this day would come lol

Fantano: Classic review of Jane Doe Everybody liked that

Converge is my favorite metal band and Jane Doe is freaking badass! Though No Heroes is my favorite Converge record right now (it changes every day) this is easily the moment metalcore became a respected genre. It's funny how so many people bash metalcore music because of Emmure or Asking Alexandria, without even knowing bands like Converge, Botch, Dillinger or Norma Jean exist.

That record is a beautiful work of art and I will forever have it close to my heart , its that good after all this years.

This album changed my perception of music and art in general. My absolute favourite from its decade.

I play this for people who have never heard it before and they are usually surprised it was released in ‘01. I can’t call it metal core. It’s truly on its own. Regardless of genre it’s one of the best records ever created.

glad to see you decided to review this album. Truly one of the most savage, devastating experiences i've had musically. It's honestly like being shot by a bullet of pure sorrow and catharsis.

The thing I love most about Converge is the way that every album is different, each era of the bands growth is one crushing blow after another. It took me a long time to appreciate them but once I "got it" they became one of my favourite bands. There's a converge record for any mood, and the members side projects offer more diversity. I also love how Jakes artwork ties in with the records, I own a couple of his prints, The AWLWLB series was amazing.

Was blown away when I first listened to Jane Doe. An absolute CALASSIC.

maybe the best thing about this album for me is how the title track ends. the vast majority of the album is so aggressive and angry, save for the last few minutes of it, which are extremely melodic and give off this huge sense of melancholy. shit gets me emotional

Jane Doe is one of the rawest, emotional, crushingly heavy records of all time. How it manages to deliver such an incessant, chaotic onslaught while still packing the feels is incredible.

Even though I’m not a huge fan of metal core mostly because of the vocals, my favorite aspect of this album are the drums. The rhythms and patterns are insane.

the title track of this album is one of the most haunting songs I’ve ever heard. Love this entire album, Dillinger are my favourite metalcore band but this is hands down my favourite metalcore album.

Melon I’m here to tell you that you’ve been drafted

Really glad to see this reviewed by you, Melon! Such a great album.

I would love to see a review of Alive or Just Breathing.

classic review request: Helmet - Meantime, or Korn - Korn.

"That fat nerd who looks like a turtle" - Nate Newton

When is he going to reveal his tattoo on his thigh that he thinks he’s hiding

The album that started my journey into heavy music.

Not only is this band amazing but they’re responsible for Every Time I Die’s existence so I am forever in debt to them because of that

Converge, especially Kurt Ballou are friggin monsters at this kind of music

This album's so important to me. Before listening to this, the heaviest thing I was listening to at the time was Killswitch Engage. Tried Homewrecker and the title track after seeing it was the album of the decade on some list, and *absolutely hated* them (didn't get 2 minutes into the title track, thank God). Dunno why, but a few weeks later I forced myself to listen to it as a full album rather than separate tracks, in case I was missing something. By Hell to Pay I'd stopped everything I was doing, Phoenix in Flight had given me full body chills, and I was welling up at the end of Jane Doe. Changed everything for me. This has got to be listened to as a full album.

Botch - We Are The Romans review!

m'damn finger smashed that like button so fast bruh

I hope you review Soundtracks for the Blind someday 👁️

Jane Doe is my favourite album of all time, really nice to see you do a classic review for it

This album is so god damned loud, so extreme at times, and yet retains so much emotion. The artwork is classic as well.

I’ve seen them twice, amd got to speak with Jake Bannon both times. He is such a fucking cool dude. Goddamn planets collide as soon as he opens his mouth on stage. This album and PTES were what got me into them, and now they are my all time favorite band.

best hardcore/metal record ever, hands down

I'll never forget listening to this on my mp3 player while mowing the lawn in high school. I'm old

As happy as I was to see this get reviewed, I was kind of disappointed that the only thing said about the title track was that it “tied the record together pretty nicely.”

the production on this album is what makes it next level, it just makes you want to blast it as loud as possible and it sounds so abrasive without actually being literally painful.. Metalcore albums trying to copy this sound were a dime a dozen in the mid 2000s but none could replicate it. And that's nothing to say about the songwriting which borders on powerviolence at times. Best tracks are Concubine, Homewrecker and Thaw.

I loved this album since the day it dropped. It still holds up too.

While Jane Doe is great, Petitioning The Empty Sky will always be a personal fav of mine

Converge - Jane Doe probably the best hardcore of the 00s this album was HUGE For me!

Now you just need to review Botch - We Are The Romans and you’re cool

Thaw is one of the best songs ever made, honestly if I were to ever kill a man the moment better have Thaw playing as a back drop I swear.

This dropped and I heard it and was f***ing blown away. I downloaded it and played for people at the time they're all like wtf is this? Absolute classic

"Hmmm, yeah but Jane Doe is still the better record."

thanks so much for making this video. hopefully this can get someone into Converge that desperately needs to

2020 starting with a review of Converge - Jane Doe, I am okay with this

Where’s the classic review for the Rugrats Movie soundtrack?

Waiting for Ladies and gentlemen we're floating in space

It also has a beautiful edge to it. All of converge does. That's what makes it so engaging. It's beautiful chaos.

*DEATH TO* *TRAITORS* *COWARDS* *EMPTY WORDS* My favourite part of the album! ♥

I cant help but compare all of their music to Petitioning the Empty Sky. My gold standard for converge albums

When we getting that Jane Doe review???

I love Jane Doe, but my favorite Converge material has got to be from The Poacher Diaries. Sure, it's a split, but they cover a TON of ground between those songs. My Great Devastator is a sonic masterpiece and, to this day, is one of the most moving pieces of heavy music from my youth.

I want Paul’s boutique

I'm just in my element with Jane Live from Roadburn. It's such an immense showcase of this album with absolutely no compromises. Peeling onions by the end every time.

Wait this isn’t My Chemical Romance

Probably my favorite Metal record overall. Most fun you can have with heavy, fast music.

Still an incredible album. Converge had some cool songs and imagery on their earlier releases, but I completely agree that it wasn't very "tight". Jane Doe was them finally creating something unique and cohesive. I like their later albums, but nothing ever quite reached the heights of this record. It is a masterpiece.

Do Opposite of December or Calculating Infinity

Best extreme music album of all time

Now he has to review We Are The Romans