Thousand Foot Krutch Welcome To The Masquerade

Thousand Foot Krutch unknowingly set a standard with their 2003 record Phenomenon. Fans fell head over heels for it, and understandably so, it’s easily one of the strongest alternative rock albums of the time. Although not a quality found directly in songs, the album was mysteriously atmospheric, bordering on ambient. Subsequent releases were good, but not as good. The distinct sound found on earlier material disappeared, and at times in its place, a more monotone pop. However demoing a song during an online studio chat with fans, frontman Trevor McNevan reignited hopes for a return to the band’s signature alternative sound. He further made a case for these hopes saying “This album is definitely our heaviest record yet and that was intentional…there’s an aggression.”

And Welcome to the Masquerade delivers. From the anticipation building intro, and rather pummeling title track, to the rousing “Fire It Up” many fans will wish this record was released following their Tooth and Nail debut. Nearly every song feels reminiscent of the strong points in their previous works. The title track reminds of Phenomenon’s, while “Fire It Up” feels a blend of previous anthemic tracks with a “Move” styled vocal delivery and a “Bounce” lyrical mentality. The heavy delight “E For Extinction” brings back the nostalgic “Quicken,” and “The Part That Hurts The Most” carries a “Faith Love and Happiness” vibe and is among the strongest songs they’ve written.

Despite a genre filled with cookie cutter acts which incorporate what many would accuse cliché lyrics, McNevan’s voice sounds authentic when delivering what he’s penned: “It’s not a joke, I feel as messed up as you do, I’ve felt the feelings you’ve been feeling, been through the same things you’ve been through.” To the dismay of some, there is a new “Rawkfist” however this one isn’t as cheesy sounding, and while the thirteen song collection has a more Phenomenon tone then the previous two albums, it is not a clone copy. Just as Meteora expanded on Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory, the album takes bits and pieces of earlier work and evolves them.

As such, Welcome To The Masquerade is everything a Thousand Foot Krutch record should be, and could contest as the best rock record of 2009. As John DiBiase of Jesusfreakhideout noted, Welcome To The Masquerade combines nearly all the bands strong points. TFK couldn’t sound stronger. However, McNevan put it the best when he said “Thousand Foot Krutch has kinda been my baby my whole life,” its evident Welcome To The Masquerade has tons of time invested in it.

Rating: 5 out of 5
Street Date: September 8th, 2009
Label: Tooth and Nail

Track Listing:
1.) The Invitation
2.) Welcome To The Masquerade
3.) Fire It Up
4.) Bring Me To Life
5.) E For Extinction
6.) Watching Over me
7.) The Part That Hurts The Most (Is Me)
8.) Scream
9.) Look Away
10.) Forward Motion
11.) Outta Control
12.) Smack Down
13.) Already Home