Chiodos latest release, Bone Palace Ballet, is easily the best marriage of Emo stylings, Goth darkness, and bits of hardcore aggression. The band has alot going on within their latest effort, and unless you're nothing but a complete metal elitist, it's rather hard to ignore.

With as dark as the lyrical content on this record is at times, the choruses are extremely infectious, and each song is more than strong enough to stand on it's own the the entire effort is completely cohesive and flows seemlessly from start to finish. The excellent musicianship is also a key factor in making this album what it is. Incorporating actual orchestral arrangements (as opposed to using synths) takes the scope of this album to a whole other level. And the band members themselves aren't exactly slouches either, when it comes to their own personal musical capabilitiy.

Another element that adds to "Bone Palace Ballet" is the dynamic range of vocal styles employed. With most bands of this style, barks, screams, and growls go right out the window in favor of more accessible vocal styles that might help any given band obtain more commercial appeal. Instead, Chiodos not only maintain the more aggressive vocal styles to add to songs when called for, but they take it a step further with guest appearances from Nick Martin (Underminded), and Jesse Korman (The Number Twelve Looks Like You).

Check out tracks like album opener "Is It Progression If A Cannibal Uses A Fork?", and the more epic final track, "The Undertaker's Thirst For Revenge Is Unquenchable (The Final Battle)" to see how much of a difference it makes with the vocal trade offs.

If any one band out there were capable of knocking My Chemical Romance off their pop-soaked Faux-Goth platform, while still maintaining some sense of indie credibility, Chiodos is that band.

Forget their previous album, and nevermind the ultra long winded song titles. This is NOT your run of the mill, pop-soaked Fall Out Boy bandwagon emo release. The level of musicianship alone sets this album leagues apart from disposable crap like that. This is more along the lines of Fall Of Troy, or even Coheed And Cambria (only without the super annoying high end vocals). If you have a hard time believing that this album is worthwhile, take a chance and give it a listen. You may come away quite surprised!