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SHADOWS FALL ‘The War Within’ (Century Media) (2004)
It really don’t know how or why it happens , but every time that I hold in my hands an album that half of the music world treats as unique and inspirational, and the other half as another pointless release, I always end up being positioned somewhere in the middle.
This time it is Shadows Fall that’s been creating problems to music journalists around the world. The band from Massachusetts/USA have just released their fifth studio album which is called 'The War Within, once again through Century Media - their most loyal ‘companion’ since the release of their second studio album 'Of One Blood' back in 2000.
Well, since that specific release, the band has been through many changes in terms of both changing band members and musical direction.
I was first introduced to the band in 2002 when I managed to get my hands on their third full length album 'Fear Will Drag You Down'. My impression of the band back then: a very promising outfit that just needed to work out how to correctly combine all the different influences in their music. Well, two years later, I still find myself having the exact same opinion.
I don’t want to give the wrong impression with my previous statement here. When I received the promo from Century Media, I was quite excited. Shadows Fall is one of those bands that you feel the need to invest in, and it is not that they have proved me wrong with this release - it’s just that the ‘profit’ that I made from this new release was less than I originally expected.
It was obvious from the very beginning of their career that Shadows Fall were not only interested in creating fast Thrashy riffs. This new album finds the American outfit in search of their melodic side and that is probably the main reason why I find this new album so interesting. Throughout the ten compositions that make up 'The War Within', you will find a battle between beautifully-made classic Heavy Metal melodies (Judas Pries, Saxon, Armored Saint) and aggressive At The Gates influenced guitar riffs.
Well, if that’s the case, why am I not jumping up and down with excitement about this new release then?
After I listened to the album for the fifth time in the row, I realised that apart for some really good moments in which exceptional guitar melodies were presented, I was not able to memorise or point out a song that impressed me the most. That in my opinion is a really bad sign.
The Bachand/Donais (guitars) duet has worked really hard for this album, and their guitar work is, at times, quite impressive. The rhythm section also did a really good job by providing strong foundations for these ten compositions. As for Brian Fair (vocals): when he sings melodically, his voice reminds me of that of John Bush (Armored Saint/Anthrax). The songs that did manage to stand out as far as I’m concerned are 'The Light that Blinds', 'Stillness' and the Saxon-influenced 'Ghosts of Past Failures'.
At the moment, the band is enjoying the attention of the media and will tour extensively in order to promote 'The War Within'. It is quite possible that most of you will have the chance to see them live somewhere near your town. I suggest that you go there, listen to their new songs and draw your own conclusions. As for me: I am still waiting for the album that will blow me away.
Review by John Stefanis
***½
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