I've Failed You

I've Failed You

Company type	Studio album
Industry	Heavy metal music
Founded	August 30, 2011
Headquarters	Goderich, Ontario , Canada
Products	Music album
Parent	Kittie (band)

I've Failed You marks the sixth studio album from Canadian heavy metal ensemble Kittie, unveiled on August 30, 2011, via eOne Music. Building upon the sonic and production elements of their prior release In the Black (2009), this album delves into more intimate and reflective themes inspired by vocalist and guitarist Morgan Lander’s personal experiences over the two years following that record. With production led by Siegfried Meier, most recording took place at Beach Road Studios in Goderich, Ontario; however, bassist Ivy Jenkins tracked her parts separately in the United States due to immigration complications.

Critics offered mixed feedback on I've Failed You: some highlighted its polished production and unified sound, while others pointed out its conventional songwriting and perceived stagnation compared to earlier works. The album entered the US Billboard 200 chart at position 178, moving 3,000 copies during its opening week. From August 2011 through May 2012, Kittie toured across the United States, Canada, and Australia. Increasing expenses related to touring combined with waning audience interest resulted in this being their final album for nearly thirteen years until the release of Fire in 2024.

Music, writing and recording

Classified as a death metal and heavy metal record, Kittie described I've Failed You as a progression from their previous effort In the Black, broadening its stylistic range and production techniques. The album showcases rapid, heavy guitar riffs, solos, and a blend of screamed, growled, and clean vocal styles. Its lyrical content draws from Morgan Lander’s emotional struggles during the two years after their last album, including the dissolution of a decade-long relationship and coping with the loss of their father and manager David Lander in 2008. While Morgan chose to keep specific lyric meanings private, drummer Mercedes Lander characterized them as "quite literal."

Following a short break after their 2010 tour, Kittie commenced writing new songs on January 1, 2011. Instead of starting completely anew, they expanded upon existing ideas—for instance, the principal riff for "We Are the Lamb" originated around 2008 or 2009. Writing wrapped up by early March, with recording sessions beginning in mid-April at Beach Road Studios located in London, Ontario. These sessions spanned three weeks during which Meier utilized a Studer A827 tape machine—also employed for drum recording—to achieve a warmer tone compared to prior digital approaches. The band experimented extensively with amplifier choices, microphone placements, effects processing, and increased use of double-tracked vocals.

Due to immigration restrictions preventing Ivy Jenkins from entering Canada, Meier recorded her bass parts remotely in the US using a mobile rig. He captured clean bass signals which were later processed with amplifiers and effects back at Beach Road Studios. Despite this logistical hurdle, Jenkins stayed engaged by receiving rough mixes throughout production. Although initial plans involved exchanging material remotely with her more extensively, these were abandoned due to time limitations.

The lead single "We Are the Lamb" addresses themes of self-sacrifice as a means to enable oneself or loved ones to progress; its lyrics stem from a poem by Mercedes Lander that Morgan expanded upon. "Empires, Pt. 1" is an acoustic solo piece performed by lead guitarist Tara McLeod; its counterpart "Empires, Pt. 2" presents a heavier composition sharing chord progressions and structural elements with the first part. Morgan Lander explained that "Empires, Pt. 2" employs imagery of empires to symbolize how even powerful relationships inevitably deteriorate over time.

Promotion

On July 20, 2011, Kittie revealed the upcoming launch of I've Failed You exclusively through Noisecreep, debuting the lead single "We Are the Lamb." The music video for this track, which premiered on August 30, 2011, was created by MGYNYC, a production company led by Dave Brodsky and Allison Woest, who had previously collaborated with Kittie on visuals for In the Black. Mercedes characterized the video as the band's interpretation of a [1970s] Italian zombie movie, highlighting their fascination with horror cinema. The album’s second single, "Empires Pt. 2," was unveiled on August 2, 2011, via Revolver, with its accompanying video released shortly after on August 15.

Kittie made I've Failed You accessible for streaming on August 23, 2011, through Exclaim!. The album officially dropped in the United States on August 30, 2011, under eOne Music, followed by a European release via Massacre Records on September 5. With first-week sales reaching 3,000 copies, it entered the US Billboard 200 chart at position 178. Additionally, it achieved number 10 on the Top Hard Rock Albums, number 26 on the Top Independent Albums, and number 46 on the Top Rock & Alternative Albums rankings.

Touring

Kittie commenced touring to promote I've Failed You beginning August 11, 2011, with their initial performance at the Gathering of the Juggalos in Cave-In-Rock, Illinois. Their US tour spanned from August 12 to September 21, 2011, featuring support acts Dirge Within and Diamond Plate. In February 2012, after completing two Canadian dates, they embarked on their first Australian tour since 2002 by appearing at Sydney’s Soundwave Festival. This period also saw a lineup change: bassist Ivy Jenkins departed amicably, and Trish Doan—who had contributed to their 2007 album Funeral for Yesterday—returned to the band. Doan had originally left in 2007 due to health complications but sought to rejoin and demonstrate her commitment.

Following their Australian leg, Kittie toured North America between April and May 2012 with support from The Agonist, Blackguard, and Bonded by Blood. On September 7, 2013, they performed at Toronto's Spread the Metal Festival—this being their sole appearance that year. Subsequently, Kittie entered an almost four-year period of inactivity attributed to escalating touring expenses, waning audience interest in live performances, and difficulties with their label eOne. Both Morgan and Mercedes Lander expressed that the band had "overstayed [their] welcome," with Morgan commenting on the challenges of relentless touring yielding minimal financial gain.

Trish Doan remained a member until her passing on February 11, 2017. Although Kittie never formally disbanded, their activity was minimal until January 2022 when Ivy Jenkins returned to the lineup. In 2024, they issued Fire, marking their first studio release in nearly thirteen years.

Critical reception

I've Failed You elicited a variety of critical responses. Exclaim! regarded it as Kittie's "most accomplished work so far," emphasizing the quality of production and the band's unity. According to No Clean Singing, the group had "nearly perfected their approach," skillfully merging heavy and somber tones with precision. Scott Alisoglu from Blabbermouth.net praised the album's production values and dynamic range as evidence of Kittie's enduring relevance, though he felt some softer tracks bordered on being "somewhat generic." Metal Hammer complimented the guitar riffs and solos but remarked that certain sections resembled "Gwen Stefani performing At the Gates material."

Contrasting views appeared in Rock Hard: Andreas Himmelstein criticized the album for a "complete absence of innovation" and a limited vocal scope, awarding it 5 out of 10, while Frank Albrecht rated it 7.5 out of 10, valuing the fusion of death metal riffs with melodic singing. James Christopher Monger of AllMusic characterized the record as "largely indistinguishable" from previous releases, likely to satisfy existing fans but providing critics with grounds for dismissal. In a similar vein, Decibel stated: "If Kittie appeals to you, this album will too; if not, it falls flat."

Michael Edele from laut.de identified it as Kittie's most diverse album to date but questioned its mass appeal, suggesting it only partially satisfies devoted followers. Carla Gillis of Now criticized the record for failing to evolve or deviate from earlier efforts, lacking memorable lyrics or hooks. Katharina from Metal.de described it as dull and lacking inspiration. David Buchanan of Consequence of Sound dismissed the album as an example of nu-metal bands fading into irrelevance after their initial breakthrough.

Track listing

All tracks composed by Kittie.

Personnel

Taken from the CD liner notes.

Kittie

• Morgan Lander – lead vocals, guitars, piano
• Mercedes Lander – drums, percussion, backing vocals
• Tara McLeod – guitars
• Ivy Vujic Jenkins – bass guitar

Production

• Siegfried Meier – producer, mixing engineer, recording engineer
• T-Roy – mastering at Spectre Studios

Artwork

• Morgan Lander – concept for artwork
• Ama Lea – photography
• Paul Grosso – creative director
• Sean Marlowe – art direction and design

Charts

Chart positions for I've Failed You

Chart (2011)	Highest rank
US Billboard 200	178
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)	10
US Top Independent Albums (Billboard)	26
US Top Rock & Alternative Albums (Billboard)	46

Release history

Region	Label	Format	Release date	Catalog number
United States	eOne Music	CD Digital download	August 30, 2011	EOM-CD-2153
Germany	Massacre Records	CD Digital download	September 2, 2011	MAS CD0728
Europe	Massacre Records	CD Digital download	September 5, 2011	MAS CD0728

External links

• I've Failed You playlist on YouTube (available where licensed)
• KITTIE The making of "I'VE FAILED YOU" Part 1 on YouTube (July 22, 2011)
• KITTIE The making of "I'VE FAILED YOU" Part 2 on YouTube (July 22, 2011)
• KITTIE The making of "I'VE FAILED YOU" Part 3 on YouTube (July 22, 2011)
• KITTIE The making of "I'VE FAILED YOU" Part 4 on YouTube (July 24, 2011)
• Paul Gargano, Kittie Biography (July 2011) – Massacre Records (archived)