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It’s been a long time guys. The rock/rap/nu-metal/pop/whatever (and UK!) band Lostprophets are back after a few years and a disappointing album. James Oliver, the band’s live keyboardist, stated that this new album, titled The Betrayed, had “the bite that Start Something (their second album, it was the heaviest of the three) had, with the song-ability of Liberation Transmission (their third album, which was very poppy and disappointing) but personality of Thefakesoundofprogress (their first album, which was an odd mix of metal, rock, and nu-metal… which turned out amazing).” Any Lostprophets fan would be excited as all hell for this album then! That just described awesomeness! Hell, I actually had hope that they would be able to redeem themselves. Now, notice how earlier I said that they are back. I really… REALLY wanted to say “and better than ever” but that, sadly, is just not the case.

This is not their worst album. At all. Liberation Transmission was their worst (and it was still better than most music out right now). But, this is not their best. At all. The album starts with a shortish intro song that has marching band-like snare rides and choruses with actual choruses singing. It gears you up for something epic… but it just doesn’t happen. After the first 3 songs (which are pretty decent, a lot different from the Liberation tracks and more like the original albums, but sound like imitations other than just sounding like them), we get treated to “Where We Belong”. It’s just a nosedive after that. “Next Stop Atro City” is a pretty hard rock track that isn’t too poppy, but after that, it’s just Liberation Transmission all over again. The ending track is similar to “Sway” from Start Something, as they both end the album with an extended instrumental, except this one’s is a hidden track that is stretched out way longer than it should be. (P.S. I reviewed the Korean edition, which has about 3 extra tracks in the middle of the album and this hidden track. All other versions do not have a hidden track.)

When I first started listening to the album, I’ll tell you, I had hope. Lostprophets is one of my favorite bands and I was just wishing that they would go back to their old grind. The only problem is this: The Betrayed attempts to do go back to the Start Something and Thefakesoundofprogress days for a little bit and then gives up. Even the times it tries, it sounds like the Liberation Transmission era Lostprophets are trying to imitate themselves instead of just BEING their old selves. Plus, as I listened to the Korean edition, it was 3 tracks longer and I felt that it stretched on too long. So, I suggest just picking up the US or UK version.

I’m just a really big Lostprophets fan who loved their first two albums more than most albums. That’s how I see them. If you don’t know this band or even if you have some knowledge about them, I highly suggest you pick this up. It’s an easy to swallow album that is poppy with a hard rock edge. It’s not bad, it’s just not the Lostprophets I know and love.

The Betrayed gets a 3 out of 5.