#umsbsw

“First Things First,” otherwise known as track 3 on the album should be the first song everyone listens to when they wake up in the morning. It’s upbeat, motivational and easily a lyrical favorite. “Things could be worse but they could be better” is among a collection of words specially crafted to be relatable and get you thinking. The instrumentals take precedent over vocals at various points throughout the track giving it a nostalgic Chroma feel that is undeniably what every Cartel fan has been holding onto since 2005.

Mid album are three jams that all feel very specific and direct. “Uninspired” stands out the most as it could easily be directed toward the political system found within the music industry. In past interviews lead vocalist, Will Pugh has admittedly spoke about the importance of creative control and for anyone who knows the systematic elements that make up the music industry, lyrics such as, “And now they’re selling us a way out a bitter pill, we can’t afford the blood we’ve spilled” sound very much like a metaphoric reference to the lack of control artists sometimes have/feel when under a label.

One of the best guitar riffs on the entire album can be found on track 7, “Sympathy.” The intro is shorter in comparison to others; however, the riff has its time to shine on multiple places throughout the song. Instrumentally, “Sympathy” has the most going on – especially around the 3:20 track time when an out of this world sound is incorporated with a slight echo. Track 9, “Disconnect” also does a lot instrumentally while hitting some heavier chords and drum parts. “Disconnect” is a track similar to “Uninspired,” as the lyrics give off a few indications that the song might be about the disconnect Cartel now has with labels and their systematic rules.

Slowing it down is the final song on the album, “A Thousand Suns.” It echoes an element of hopeful optimism. Rather than leading into the song with instrumentals, Pugh sings with very little instrumental backing for about the first minute of the song. The tone is very different than the rest of the album, however, it gives a vibe like there’s a “part two” coming. It doesn’t feel like a track that would indefinitely conclude an album and because of that it leaves listeners wanting more.

Rating: 4.5/5

The best part about this album is its quality, especially considering that, Collider was self-released. It says, “Cartel is back and better than ever before,” with confidence. The collection of songs help in making the album one that listeners can put on repeat and listen to repetitively. Motivational lyrics and the backstory behind the album only make it that much more meaningful. For anyone who hasn’t heard the album, get ready for the impact, that is, Collider.

Adaliah

Balance & Composure

Barrier

Bent Life

Chon

Circa Survive

Close Your Eyes

Emmure

Everyone Likes Cathleen

Famous Last Words

Fine Fine Titans

Fire From The Gods

Ghost Town

Gift Giver

Ice Nine Kills

Kublai Khan

La Dispute

Modern Pain

Power Trip

Set It Off

Silent Planet

Stray From The Path

Title Fight

Traitors

Unity

Vulgar Display

Within The Ruins

Wolves At The Gate

Against The Current As Blood Runs Back As We Talk Attila Carnifex Courage My Love Crown The Empire  Death Before Dishonor Elitist Every Passing Dream Hundredth Knuckle Puck Like Moths To Flames My Ticket Home New Years Day No Bragging Rights Norma Jean Palisades Polyphia Rotting Out Slaves Suicide Silence Sworn In Take It Back! The Color Morale The Family Run

Although i’m not familiar with the majority of the bands that played day 1 it was obvious that SBSW had stepped up it’s game bringing in some of the bigger bands to headline including The Used, Taking Back Sunday and Asking Alexandria. With fan favorites such as I See Starts and Sworn In playing in the evening and Dallas locals Under Dog House and Coronet opening the day, it was the perfect way to kick off a fantastic weekend.

As for day 2, I guess it could be a tough break or a great time just depending on how you look at it. If you’re looking for a positive spin on hours and hours of rainfall washing out a music festival, the first couple of hours were a blast. Even through the rain there were fans running around in ponchos seeing their favorite bands acting as if the rain clouds moving in were the last things on their mind! Yes, of course having the festival canceled before headliners Of Mice & Men and Bring Me the Horizon was awful but you have to keep in mind that it was all in the best interest of the bands and most importantly the fans! But to sum up day 2 in it’s entirety, up until cancellation it was an awesome time seeing cool bands like Cursed Sails, Issues and letlive. kill it even through the harsh conditions.

From the 1st band to the last, day 3 had a continuous stream of incredible bands playing on various stages at all times. Day 3 really stood apart from the other 2 days genre wise. The bands on the line up were predominantly hardcore with pop punk bands like The Story So Far, Knuckle Puck and Neck Deep to top off the already solid roster. With the wind chill making the temperature feel in the mid to low 40s, it was definitely an entertaining day for everyone who actually stuck around. I personally couldn’t decide which was funnier, watching people layer on so many freshly bought sweatshirts that they looked like they were about to tip over or seeing how many girls really could fit in the heated bathrooms at Quick Trip Park. Back to the actual music part of the festival though, there were local bands Misconceptions and Third Coast setting the bar high right from the start of the day and it was all uphill from there. With Texas hardcore bands Modern Pain and Vulgar Display taking the stage soon after it undoubtedly wasn’t a day to miss. Not to mention bands Expire and Backtrack who took the festival by storm. The Story So Far and The Devil Wears Prada finished off the festival and I don’t think they could have picked a better set of bands to close of South By So What?! until next year.

CB: What can fans expect from We Came as Romans in the future? DS: A continued rigorous tour schedule with energetic live shows!

CB: Your music carries a message of hope, what is it like when fans tell you stories of your impact on their lives? DS: It’s incredible. I never thought I’d be saving people’s lives and changing so many people in a good way when we first started this. Hearing about people making massive changes in their lives as a result of our lyrics is such an amazing feeling.

CB: If you could play a show with any band, past or present, what would your dream line up be? DS: Underoath, Architects, Linkin Park, Thrice, Slipknot

CB: Can you describe the defining moment when you realized that being in a band was no longer a hobby but instead a career? DS: About 4 years ago I was sitting on my parents couch (‘cause I was dead broke and still living with them at the time haha) and I got a call from our former business manager telling me we were all getting paid from the headliner we had just got back from. Not only were we getting paid, but it was a decent amount for us at the time and I completely freaked out because I then realized I could actually do this for a living.

CB: Do you ever get nervous before sets? DS: I’m always a little nervous but hometown shows in Detroit make me insanely nervous. Something about playing in front of all the people you love, grew up with, worked with, went to school with, etc. is so scary. I’ve even got sick before a hometown show from my nerves. It’s all good though, once the set starts it just turns into adrenaline.

CB: Do you have a favourite lyric- either of your own or another band? What does it mean to you? DS: “There’s a war inside me.” I love this lyric and it’s even tattooed on me. It’s so important to always try to better yourself and better your life.

CB: What’s one of the craziest experiences you’ve had in the last year of touring? DS: Flying the wrong way around the world from Europe to Australia. 6 flights, excluding layovers, 52 hours of flight time. By the time we landed, I didn’t know what day it was, what time it was…I couldn’t even remember the first two flights! I was a zombie.

CB: Any last words for your fans? DS: Thank you for listening and supporting us!