Converge Album: “Caring and Killing”

Converge has evolved so much over the years that describing them is futile. They're a key part of the Boston hardcorecore scene, but this album easily transcends the genre. As an album, Caring and Killing is a lot less aggressive and abrasive. It's much more like the melodic parts of Petitioning the Empty Sky than it is any of their newer material. Lyrically, the album is much simpler than later converge albums, but the simplicity helps you to better experience the album's emotion. This is a brilliant album by one of the most innovative bands in the aggressive music scene.

Excellent, dynamic and creative first album. I'm just getting into this band and I know most of their subsequent albums are stellar efforts so I'm starting at the beginning. I'm an original metalhead and punker so after 1980 there are very little punk bands to get into. Metal however is a different story. This band has a great knack for integrating the two styles of music. They are heavy, very heavy but also nimble in their solo work and the percussion is varied and not just forceful but it complements their music. This is an album of high merits for a first outing but then shouldn't a first album be that from a talented group? The vocals are somewhat harsh but I think with extended listening it is an acquired taste so the best thing is to stick with it because the rewards are worth it in the long run. An excellent album.

Okay, what can be said about converge ? Lets, begin with their sound... It's heavy, original,melodic, chaotic, Brilliant lirycs ,& , most of all? Amazing riffs that are hard to play..Belive me, i've tried and their not easy at all!Now, converge's caring & killing probaly opened doors for so many emocore bands such as thursday,thrice etc... I mean, just listing to the melodis & lirycs! I love and i will cherish every song made by converge because without them ?Metalcore would be no where. I chose to be the first person to post here because i feel that after so many years making great music converge's "caring & killing" deserv to be rated on so here it goes... Five stars from me! Buy it, if you haven't already!

This disc is one of the first reference in the chaotic hardcore! this is a must! Converge fans must have this disc because it appeared during a significant period of the hardcore movement.

and if ya didn't know- you better check yourself... long live Kurtzilla!