Onwards to the Wall [EP]
by A Place to Bury Strangers
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
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  1. No Ripcord
    Mar 8, 2012
    50
    Softening their sound hasn't led to more fans, but to a blander, weaker and unsatisfying sound.
  2. cokemachineglow
    Feb 24, 2012
    72
    The band manages throughout Onwards to the Wall to keep things just about as industrial as they can get. And without abandoning pop for metal by always maintaining a strict allegiance to simplicity.
  3. PopMatters
    Feb 10, 2012
    80
    If you happen to like British-sounding bands that brood and are dissonant, Onwards to the Wall, as an extended play, is a near essential purchase, and one that will have you salivating as to where this band is going next.
  5. Blurt Magazine
    Feb 9, 2012
    80
    The 5 songs in 16 minutes breeze by, barely after you've had a chance to absorb them, leave you hungering for more.
  6. Beats Per Minute
    Feb 8, 2012
    70
    This new release does function better as a cohesive work, but oddly enough they seem to have restricted their musical vocabulary even further.
  7. AllMusic
    Feb 7, 2012
    70
    In its own way, Onwards to the Wall is just as exciting as Exploding Head was, managing to sum up the band's sound and move forward at the same time.
  8. Prefix Magazine
    Feb 7, 2012
    80
    It's a restatement of relevance, a testament to strong songwriting, and ultimately, a legacy enhancer that they desperately needed.
  9. Pitchfork
    Feb 6, 2012
    58
    More color-by-numbers post punk that uses too many grays and not enough pure blacks.
  10. Drowned In Sound
    Feb 3, 2012
    80
    It is unmistakeably A Place To Bury Strangers and they're giving us what we want. The only additional complaint is that there's not enough of it.
  11. Consequence
    Feb 3, 2012
    80
    With moments of breathing room and stripped melodies, APTBS continue subtle explorations of their strengths and the conflict between cacophony and harmony.
  12. The Boston Phoenix
    Feb 3, 2012
    88
    Onwards is, at its heart, just one big suicide tease, which is what makes it so fantastic.
  13. Expert Witness (MSN Music)
    Jun 29, 2012
    91
    The placeholder EP is blunter and slighter than the album.
  14. Austin Chronicle
    May 31, 2012
    67
    Like a strawberry cupcake covered in Szechuan pepper, A Place To Bury Strangers finds the sweet spot by ripping its way through in Onwards to the Wall.
  15. Uncut
    Feb 3, 2012
    60
    Other tracks hide catchier tunes amid the quagmire of guitar. [Mar 2012, p.79]
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  16. Under The Radar
    Feb 3, 2012
    60
    As APTBS refine what they do, they stir in more noise, along with stylistic drifts into the space-rock and noise-rock arenas. [#39, p.73]
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User Reviews

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User Score
6.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. AlexxTrusc
    Apr 26, 2012
    7
    Cosmic-punk "It'll Be Alright", a perfect combination of noise and melodic indie rock in "Onwards To The Wall", stadium-sounding "So Far Away"Cosmic-punk "It'll Be Alright", a perfect combination of noise and melodic indie rock in "Onwards To The Wall", stadium-sounding "So Far Away" with distinctive choirs and two psychedelic songs: "I Lost You" and "Drill It Up" are components of A Place to Bury Strangers - "Onwards to the Wall" EP. Good one.… Full Review »
  2. Ziggster
    Apr 5, 2012
    6
    Coming from someone that's been a fan since their first album, I was a bit disappointed with this release. I just felt it was ok. There are aComing from someone that's been a fan since their first album, I was a bit disappointed with this release. I just felt it was ok. There are a few gems here and there. But none of the tracks can live up to the magic that is 'Exploding Head' and 'A Place to Bury Strangers'.… Full Review »
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