Too bad Shadows Fall became generic metal
I'm a little more into grindcore now than i was back then, (Between the Buried and Me's new album "Colors" is phenomenal)so I would appreciate this more now. This album is excellent, but did take a little getting used to because of the sketchy production and its grind/death style.
Reviewers definitley have been right on about the production but they were on a little indie label in 97' and still working in malls so its understandable. Regardless, the musicianship shines thru as some of the best work they've ever done.
Something better about Shadows Fall back then was their singer, Phil Labonte of All That Remains. He is a MUCH better singer than Brian Fair, Fair couldn't hold a candle to Phil. And All That Remains is a much better band in my opinion, if you like the vocals on this, you'll definitley dig All That Remains' albums "This Darkened Heart" and "Fall of Ideals", both are amazing in different ways. The instrumental on This Darkened Heart called "Regret Not" has to be one of the best metal instrumentals I've ever heard. Peace, I'm out.
Phil Labonte, YOUNG!
Not that it sounds like ATR, but hearing Phil at such a young age is priceless. If your a fan of All That Remains, you MUST own this cd. As for a Shadows Fall fan, its still good. Being mixed by Adam D. of Killswitch, the mix on this album is somewhat. . . 'mushy' oddly enough. Then again, this was recorded in '97, so some leeway should be given. Evidence of death vocals is prominent on this album, for fans of "The Weak Willed" and "Six" by ATR, so the vocals should tickled your fancy. The first 5 tracks are the best on the disc, and show a wide range of musical talent and range. Overall, this record should be picked up. It holds up for fans of both bands alike.
The first Shadows Fall.... Way better!
I was looking for some fast, new, death metal to cure my teen angst and musical need, and I listened to a sample of one of the tracks. This was a shot in the dark for me. I heard fast guitar and double bass and that was it for me (I didn't care about singers back then) I got it right away. I thought it was good, a poor recording job and really weird vocals. Then after a few weeks I got more metal and hardcore from my friends (you know, the kind with singing you can't understand and hella fast riffs? ah, the best) and I started to like that stuff more. I listened to the CD again and I was entertained for months! And I still am now that I'm experianced in metalcore and "screamo. "
There are killer guitar riffs from the great Matt Bachand and Jonathan Donais duo, heavy bass that sounds so cool (you can actually hear it in this metal band!) and awesome drums that blend with the other instruments. The vocalist (I hear he's in All That Remains now) is 10 times better than that Brian Fair in the other Shadows Fall albums. This guy sounds like an effing monster! His screams and growls are straight from the gut and amplified in the throat, almost gargley, I have no idea how to describe it, just awesome and like no other singer you'll find.
All the songs are great. There's only 10 of them but the pack a punch. Revel in My Loss sounds like Unholy Confessions by Avenged Sevenfold but pure metal. Pure is a nice, pleasant song even while the singer and guitar players are screaming in your ears. Lead Me Home is a beautiful acoustic instrumental that took me forever to give it a chance. Fleshold has a melodic singing intro and chorus then just bursts into a thrashing opening riff and awesome main riff. Eternal is great. . . Same with Suffer the Season. Somber Angel has an accoustic intro then starts with an extremely fast guitar thrashing. . . It's just a dark, heavy song. Then Lifeless is the perfect finale with the singers roaring and even some singing.
Sorry about how long this took, hope it helped, just check out this CD! Also good bands: Ruins of Eden(only on Myspace), This Side of the Nightmare (Myspace too), Behemoth, American Head Charge, All Shall Perish, Walls of Jericho, Slipknot, Lamb of God, As I Lay Dying, Mudvayne, and Avenged Sevenfold. My myspace is (myspace address)/Jam_lee.
Shadow's Fall : "Somber Eyes To The Sky"
You'll probably listen to this once or twice, but for long term listening, you're much better off going with "The Art Of Balance".
This is Shadow's Fall debut release, and it's not very good. Don't waste your money on this.
Thrash, Melody, and Music
They follow a trend without identifying the musicians as artists with a past. Often, listeners of music make the mistake of purchasing only that platinum album with that one hit single. Somber Eyes to the Sky, recorded by Shadows Fall in 2000, is a primary example of a musical masterpiece that did not receive recognition until after the band became mainstream. The album offers melody coupled with perfectly violent thrash.
Somber Eyes to the Sky as recorded by the original band, Shadows Fall, diverges from the group's current musical style. However, the work still offers the listener an idea of the onslaught of thrash metal the group will later produce. A more recent album by Shadows Fall, The Art of Balance portrays the same energy and musical capabilities as Somber, but is not as unrefined in the recording methods, the vocals, or the music itself. While the The Art of Balance exhibits musical control, Somber captures the raw side of Shadows Fall. Still, the group produces brilliant melodies that are calming and refined. For instance, Lead Me Home gives a depiction of the band's ability to utilize acoustics and harmony. Revel in My Loss, however, comprises of forceful rifts and drums creating metal that is enjoyable.
Because the band traded vocalist Philip Labonte for Brian Fair, there is a transition in the musical style and the lyrics.
I was fortunate to witness this band at Ozzfest and admired their energetic stage presence and music. Although this band is often classified as metal, the music is not merely metal. It is melodic, inspiring, and fun. Some of their works may be likened to Pantera or early Metallica. .
You can see a complete list of all Shadows Fall discography, or go back to the Shadows Fall tabs
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