This is the band of former Killswitch Engage vocalist Jesse Leach. But this is no clone of a previous life. “Awaken” has Classic Metal, modern Punk, Hardcore, Death and Thrash elements in an intriguing defiance of any style in particular. The constant but smooth shifting of ground and the technicality make it more than a piece of Metalcore. It’s heavy and has beefy melodies, but the band don’t hesitate to take time out for a mellow break. So it’s Progressive. Oh, and there’s a strong element of protest on behalf of the people. All this sums up the first track “Awaken” and the mature Metalcore which follows.
If the album reminds me of anyone, it’s Darkane. Leach screams manically and tracks like “Lords of War” have an extreme edginess about them. Leach can just as easily go into growls, clean harmonies and sermons such as on “We the People”, while on the instrumental side it twists and turns. “Voices Forming Weapons” has a dark and thumping Death edge. “Choir of Angels” is typically powerful but more importantly cuts through its own dark undercurrent with a strong sense of direction and purpose. The screams and sinister samples are matched by melodic guitar work. The track ends with some dreamy acoustics and eerie sound effects.
“We The People” has many elements too. It starts with a Swedish-style melodic riff mixed with funky jazz-style guitar work, a mellow acoustic interlude for the vocalist to take time from screaming and reflect. If that isn’t rich enough a platter, it turns heavy in the middle. Shuddering guitars accompany the screams now. Then it’s back to more funky jazz guitar work. Meanwhile Leach advocates “taking the power back”. The revolution is nigh. A bit of Killswitch is thrown in, and what we have is a very powerful and multi-faceted track.
“These Colors Bleed” has a punkish feel with a decidedly Swedish melo rhythm. It’s bursts into Thrash, and is a rampaging sort of track but slows down as well. “Our Own” is another song which pulls no punches. It’s a protest. Musically it’s quite catchy with heavy growls and harmonies which have a feeling of Soilwork about them. “The Kingdom” ends the album and again features the contrasts which run through it. It’s technical but with harmonies, it’s slick and smooth but Hardcore and it’s very heavy. It also works well.
The band members are interested in jazz, punk and experimental music. That’s here but there’s a lot more. “Awaken” is a bit of everything heavy. It’s a good album. Above all The Empire Shall Fall are a band of talented musicians who know to generate interest and speak through their music. This is Metalcore for the thinking man.
http://www.myspace.com/theempireshallfall
http://www.code7music.com
