Flawed Design (album)

Flawed Design is the second studio album by rock supergroup Saint Asonia released on October 25, 2019, via Spinefarm Records.^[4] The album was produced by Brian Sperber and is supported by three singles: "The Hunted", "Blind" and "Ghost".

Flawed Design
Studio album by Saint Asonia
Released	October 25, 2019 (2019-10-25)
Recorded	Early 2019
Studio	Powerstation NE
Genre	Alternative rock[1] nu metal[2]
Length	43:32
Label	Spinefarm[3]
Producer	Brian Sperber
Saint Asonia chronology
Saint Asonia (2015) Flawed Design (2019) Introvert/Extrovert (2022)
Singles from Flawed Design
"The Hunted" Released: July 24, 2019 "Blind" Released: March 24, 2020 "Ghost" Released: October 28, 2020

Background

Flawed Design is the band's first album in four years and follows their 2015 debut stido album, Saint Asonia. The band had brought in Cale Gontier to replace bass player Corey Lowery and brought in drummer Sal Giancarelli, of Staind to replace Rich Beddoe.^[5]

For this effort, the band collaborated with other musicians including Breaking Benjamin's Keith Wallen on "Beast", Godsmack's Sully Erna on lead single "The Hunted", Within Temptation lead singer Sharon den Adel lending her voice on the second track "Sirens", and Starset singer Dustin Bates sharing his writing skills on the song "Ghost".^[6]

A deluxe edition of the album was released on December 7, 2020, which includes two bonus tracks, "Say Goodbye" and "Weak & Tired".^[7] It was released as exclusives for specific Walmart-purchased copies in the US and as standard built-in tracks for all copies in Europe.^[8][9] On December 13, 2019, Flawed Design was released on vinyl for purchase.^[10]

Loudwire named it one of the 50 best rock albums of 2019.^[11]

Singles

The first single from the album, "The Hunted" was released on July 24, 2019.^[12] The second single, "Blind" was released on rock radio on March 24, 2020.^[13] The third and final single, "Ghost" was released on October 28, 2020.^[14]

Promotional singles

The first promotional single from the album, "Beast" was released on September 20, 2019.^[15] The final pre-release single, "This August Day", was released on October 18, 2019.^[16]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Melodic	[2]
Sputnikmusic	3/5[1]

Simon K of Sputnikmusic gave the album a mixed review calling the album a "solid work" with "ear-pleasing melodies and some decent guitar work."^[1] He also complimented Gontier's voice stating, "the glaring draw to this type of music is the voice, and Adam gives a really great performance throughout and, mostly, holds your interest until the end." However, he was critical towards the featured artists on the album. For the song "Sirens", he remarked Sharon Den Adel’s performance, "nothing short of cheesy and unnecessary," and on Sully Erna's performance on "The Hunted", he stated his parts were, "out of place from everything else the song has presented."^[1] Kaj Roth of Melodic said the group "aren't interested in experimenting but instead focus on tons of riffs and songs with killer hooks. You don't have to re-invent the wheel again so to speak."^[2]

Track listing

Standard edition^[17]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Blind"	Adam Gontier	4:09
2.	"Sirens" (featuring Sharon den Adel)	Gontier Dustin Bates Stephen Aiello	3:49
3.	"This August Day"	Gontier Mike Mushok Brian Sperber	4:00
4.	"The Hunted" (featuring Sully Erna)	Gontier Mushok Sperber Sully Erna Johnny Karkazis	3:43
5.	"Ghost"	Gontier Sperber Bates Keith Wallen	4:32
6.	"Beast"	Gontier Mushok Wallen	3:26
7.	"The Fallen"	Gontier	3:59
8.	"Another Fight"	Gontier Sperber Twags Salter	3:47
9.	"Flawed Design"	Gontier Mushok	3:47
10.	"Justify"	Gontier Mushok Sperber	4:07
11.	"Martyrs"	Gontier	4:12
Total length:			43:32

Walmart and European bonus tracks^[17][8][9]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
12.	"Say Goodbye"	Gontier Corey Lowery	3:34
13.	"Weak & Tired"	Gontier Mushok	3:30
Total length:			50:36

Personnel

Adapted from the album's liner notes.^[18]

Saint Asonia Adam Gontier – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Mike Mushok – lead guitar Cale Gontier – bass guitar, backing vocals Sal Giancarelli – drums Additional musicians Sharon den Adel – additional vocals on 'Sirens' Sully Erna – additional vocals on 'The Hunted' Tim Roe – synthesizers, programming Brian Sperber – synthesizers, piano, programming

Production Brian Sperber – producer, engineer Tim Roe – engineer Ben Grosse – mixing Tom Baker – mastering

Charts

Chart performance for Flawed Design

Chart (2019)	Peak position
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[19]	68
US Billboard 200[20]	171
US Alternative Albums (Billboard)[21]	14
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)[22]	7