After listening to this album through a few times my initial reaction has stayed intact. I'm not overly impressed or unimpressed with True Love Never Dies. Sometimes the band have a good song sometimes they have a bad song sometimes they are just forgettable neither bad or good just meh.The opeing "I" is a waste of tracking time and unnecessary as it blends into "Die For You" that is one of the better songs I guess. I don't have the drive to listen to it again but it's OK if it is playing. The next track "Lighthouse" is more melodic and enjoyable. The song has a good melody and a good chorus that makes it an obvious standout. I wish they would have been a little more hook oriented like say Nickelback or groove oriented like Rob Zombie. The band attempts to stay in the middle ground which is part of the reason I am not drawn into them as much.
"Scream Now" is pathetic and sounds like an alternative band trying to be heavy or a heavy band trying to make a crossover for the pop market. The song fails on every single level, the drivel and inability to be believable as they scream-o along in the song makes me a little nauseous. But once again they do a better job on the next track after the utter failure but again another of those songs that I'd not turn off just wouldn't be compelled to pay much attention. That feeling continues to near infinity on this record as the next few tracks pass by with barely a notice. They all blend together with little definition between each track and I think part of this is the stunted production that mutes the organics of the songs. The recessed guitar are so finely tuned to a certain distortion level that they lose a lot of power and aggression.
It seems like Otherwise are trying to be Shinedown by the middle of the record except they forget Shinedown can write and have dynamics. Oh wait a really good song! Isn't this a nice change that the band finally hit it "I Don't Apologize (1000 Pictures)" which works but could have had a little more definition between the instruments and an acoustic guitar could have added much depth to the song. But with that said I really like this song and I love the verses melody and the whirlwind swirling melody between the vocal lines.
Finally the albums best moment is upon us with the arrival of "Soldiers" but its been remastered or remixed or something. I still love the song and is the one song I'm compelled to listen to again and again from True Love Never Dies. Albeit I think the song sounds a little weaker remastered than the one I became familiar with on Octane. Another solid track "Heaven" which features Ashley Costello of the band New Years Day works well. I like the song and Ash does make the song better for sure.
A bonus version of "Soldiers" in acoustic form is included on the album and I have to admit I really like this version a lot. It makes the song even more powerful and a little darker and very, very affecting like as if your hiding in the trenches just waiting for the solace to explode into battle and eminent death that is about to surround you. A much more haunting and disturbing feeling is laid forth and the children singing alone at the end leaves a vision of dead bodies strewn all over the battleground. Very well done boys!
The unnecessary cover of Adele's "Rolling In The Deep" while not terrible takes away from the astoundingly great version of "Soldiers". Maybe tracking this one before would be a better choice. In conclusion "True Love Never Dies" has a few good songs a lot of forgettable songs and one incredible moment that made listening to the entire album a little less painful. Again I really didn't hate their cover and to be honest I really liked their breakdown arrangement of the song. They were able to keep the pain and anger in the song without ruining the melody making it too heavy.
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