Metal Reviews

i was a big shadows fall fan 14 hours ago, but not anymore...

- shorter songs (8 of the 11 songs are under 4 minutes)
- even more "sing-along" vocals, with terrible lyrics (brian must have been into exodus lately....)
- only a few solos


only 2 tracks are up to par with the last album.


what did you people thing of "Fallout From The War"?

Explain the stupid lyrics to us all. I hope you're not referring to "Teasin' And Pleasin'"? I'm assuming you downloaded the album, which is why you're calling it their new album when it's actually more of a rarities/b-sides album:

"It is a combination of six originals songs written during the sessions for 'The War Within' album, newly re-recorded versions of all the B-sides that were previously unavailable in the U.S. as well as a few cover songs for good measure.

"The six original tunes are all riffs and ideas that came about during the writing sessions for 'The War Within' that were either never finished or never recorded due to time constraints and touring obligations. Once we had a chance to sift through the ideas and demos, we realized that these songs deserved to be re-worked or finished up so they could see the light of day. We returned home from an amazing summer on Ozzfest and decided to get together to record these songs as a perfect way to close out the album cycle for 'The War Within' and give our fans a chance to hear some killer new tunes. The recording sessions went incredibly well. We were able to realize the full potential of these songs and with the help of Zeuss we were able craft an amazing EP with a wide variety of styles and emotions. These songs cover everything you have come to expect from SHADOWS FALL. It was also a chance to re-record a few songs that had previously only been available as bonus tracks in Japan. We recorded new versions of 'Deadworld', a song that is one of the first ever SHAD tunes dating back almost 10 years!! This version is the first one featuring Jason on drums allowing him to add his signature sound to the track. We also re-worked 'This Is My Own' with some new vocal harmonies and a few twists and turns.

"For the cover songs, we decided to dip back into our own history and shine some light on some bands that were huge influences on us, but never seemed to get the attention they deserved. ONLY LIVING WITNESS was an amazing and underrated rock band from the Boston area. We covered their tune 'December' and had a blast doing it. These riffs are thicker than your grand mama's gravy. Next we banged out a version of NYHC legends LEEWAY's 'Mark Of The Squealer'. To me, LEEWAY were the ultimate metal / hardcore crossover band with sick thrash riffs and hard as nails lyrics. This is a tribute to a band that paved the way for bands like SHADOWS FALL. Finally we included an updated version of DANGEROUS TOYS' party anthem 'Teasin' Pleasin''. This features original D. TOYS vocalist Jason McMaster singing along with myself. We went through a few thirty packs to make sure we got this one right!! Good times."

TWW wasn't terrible but it wasn't really something I would listen to. Metalcore in general is shite, but Sf are one of the better bands.

edit: and this forum isn't their place, they're not heavy or power or whatever.

and, you wish they would be influenced by exodus :roll:

I'm a big Shadows Fall fan, so I should be downloading it today. I've heard one song (In Effigy) and it was pretty good, along with the older songs Deadworld and This is My Own, two excellent songs (though I understand they've re-recorded them).

I don't think Shadows Fall are one of the better bands at all. Brian Fair has trouble with those clean vocals. The only thing they've got going for them is a decent drummer, there are far better 'core bands around.

I'm sick of people trying to label this crap as Thrash Metal. They wouldn't know Thrash if it hit them upside the face with a midget amputee.

This is the best of the Metalcore bands. But thats not saying much really is it?

In terms of songwriting, Killswitch Engage kick their arse. In terms of heaviness, Unearth. In terms of thrashiness, well, take your pick. In terms of everything, Lamb Of God have it covered.

To be honest metalcore bands seem to all belend into one in my memory. Kind of like when you heard the 'same' melodeath band for the millionth time, but metalcore was after like the tenth band.

So inother words i can't remember what them bands sound like

Heh, I know what you mean. The newer wave seem to use the same monotonous ''riff'' throughout, with the odd break for a bit of god-awful clean singing. When will it end???

not soon enough :roll:

Killswitch Engage better than Shadows Fall in songwriting?

Shadows Fall are not metalcore. No way. Far too much metal involved. I'm looking forward to their cover of "December!" Only Living Witness are one of my favorite bands! Short-lived and that saddens me. Although when I was unemployed about 2 years ago I took a waitering job at a restaurant and the bar manager was the old guitarist for them and he was a fucking dick! Haha.

agreed, they're more like modern thrash metal... do they look like a metalcore band to you ? :?

I listened to their last album and i must say that they are not that bad at all. The vocals are kickass.

Metalcore bands are those bands that definitely have metal moments, but are essentially hardcore bands. Bands like Shadows Fall and Trivium are essentiall all metal with just a few hardcore moments mixed in. You can call it metalcore if you wish, but they're definitely more metal. Yes, Trivium are in that same category as Shadows Fall. We discussed that ages ago and everyone disagreed with me!

I wouldn't calll Shadows Fall thrash, but nor would I call them metalcore. They're post modern thrashy metalcore with melodic death and Scandinavian prostitution tendencies.

I'll back you up on that one. I can't see how they could be put into seperate categories. Both have uninspired singers with next to no talent, both write extremely predictable songs, and both use dual lead guitars so they can claim they are similar to Maiden.

Downloading NOW.

Finished Downloading. Listening: NOW

initial impression... doesn't hook me right away, unlike TWW and TAOB...