In January, Converge shocked the hardcore masses by announcing that they had, in fact, signed with Epitaph records. This may not sound like such a bad thing considering that Epitaph is the label responsible for numerous groundbreaking releases from bands like Bad Religion, NOFX, Rancid, Descendents and Refused.

However, Epitaph has been gaining a reputation as of late for being a scaled down major label and turning their back on the punk rock roots that made them what they are today.

In an unreal touch of irony, immediately following the signing to Epitaph, the Converge camp announced that they were working on a new full-length and it was going to be called “You Fail Me.”

Many felt that they were setting themselves up to be knocked off the proverbial pedestal that the hardcore world had placed them on after releases like 2001’s “Jane Doe” and 1997’s “Petitioning the Empty Sky.” Others insisted that Converge still had a few good records left, and “You Fail Me” would live up to all the expectations.

“You Fail Me” is different from the band’s past efforts; it’s less spastic and chaotic and more organized.

The opening track, “First Light,” is a minute-long instrumental opener that sets a spooky mood before the second track, “Last Light,” kicks in and starts things off properly. There are more Converge-esque songs on the record, like “Black Cloud” and the band even ventures off into more mellow terrain with the acoustic guitar of “In Her Shadow.”

Standouts include “Eagles Become Vultures,” easily the heaviest song on the album, and “You Fail Me,” which is a little on the long side at six minutes, but definitely worth sticking around for.

When the dust settles and the CD stops spinning, “You Fail Me” may not be Converge’s finest moment, but it is undoubtedly a very good record. In December it will be on a rash of ‘Best of 2004’ lists and rightfully so. However, this is one of those releases that never really had a chance with some people because of the unreasonably high expectations they had placed on it.

Similarly, many will undoubtedly refuse to give this record a chance because of the little Epitaph logo in the bottom right-hand corner of the CD case. That little E will keep them from hearing one of the best albums of the year. Don’t make the same mistake.