Artist: Shadows Fall
Title: Retribution
Type: Album
Label: Spinefarm
I used to really like Shadows Fall and their passionate and brutal modern metal style. I stopped buying their albums though after their 2004 release “The War Within”. I liked most of “The Art of Balance” (2002), but became disappointed that they couldn’t capture the energy of their live performances. A Shadows Fall song was easily recognisable. These angry people ran the same riff, or so it seemed, and the structures had become predictable, as if they had run out of ideas. I accept that my view isn’t universally shared and “The War Within” was one of their most popular albums, at least in terms of sales. Since then they have released two more, and now a third “Retribution”. It was time to renew my acquaintance with these American Metalcore thrashers.
The seven minute “My Demise” immediately put paid to the stereotype I had created. The customary thrashiness and aggression are there, but instead of blasting away for a few tracks to the point of becoming mind-numbing, the whole experience was suddenly dynamic again thanks to the changes of pace and mood. There’s a new found emotion and purity in the voice of Brian Fair, at one point even sounding like Mercenary’s Mikkel Sandager. Such a melodic, clean chorus would never have happened before. Whilst still aggressive at the core and very much the Shadows Fall of old, the whole delivery is now multi-faceted and alive as if the music means something. About three minutes in, it slows down and almost becomes doomy. This is good for the grey matter. It speeds up but suddenly the aggression has purpose. “Still I Rise” continues in a similarly impressive vein. This is Thrash Metal with a flourish. The fact that this is a rounded Metal song with notable harmonies is the perfect foil for the unmitigated brutality of the following track “War”, a punishing thrashothon. The guitars are rampant. “King of Nothing” is classic Shadows Fall, bordering on Hardcore, fast and furious, always maintaining a sense of motion in the guitar work and the vocals. The contrasting style of “The Taste of Fear” is what makes the album good. The rhythm is subtle. The track is mellow and harmony is in evidence again. “Embrace Annihilation” steps back to a more punchy rhythm. Aggression mixes with melody. The end result: a catchy dose of heaviness. After a softer, surprisingly acoustic beginning to “Picture Perfect”, we’re reminded how Shadows Fall make their guitar solos integral to the experience. Speed and excitement characterise “A Public Excitement”, which heads off on an anarchic, Hardcore route, with 1000 mph drumming and a swirling riff reminiscent of The Haunted. The album finishes with “Dead and Gone”. This track captures the overall flavour, mixing aggressive and clean sounds. Brian Fair’s typically swaggering tone adds venom. The chorus is catchy. Guitar solos blend in. There’s no shortage of passion or excitement. Thunderous metal comes at us from all angles. “Dead and Gone” is a brilliant, high energy track to end with. Thrash on …
What’s impressive about this album is the musical and vocal breadth. There’s no watering down of Shadows Fall’s Metal principles, indeed the effective mix of thrashing brutality, melody and harmony can only enhance the band’s appeal. “Retribution” is a showcase for the band’s talent.
http://www.shadowsfall.com
http://www.myspace.com/shadowsfall
http://www.spinefarmrecords.co.uk
Andrew Doherty
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