Review Summary: A perfect blend of intensity and melody in one album of Metalcore perfection
In my mind there is something so endearing about a band’s ability to blend heavy, intense music with a sense of melody and feeling. On
The Fall of Ideals, Massachusetts based band All That Remains molds the perfect blend of intensity and melody into a modern metalcore masterpiece.
Right from the start it is obvious that All That Remains came to play on this album. Opener This Calling is an introduction to what the rest of the album will be composed of: heavy guitar riffs, melodic lead passages, intense drumming, and a mix of harsh and clean vocals done very well. The
Fall of Ideals showcases the talents of guitarists Oli Herbert and Mike Martin, giving them free reign to create intricate passages such as the clean melodic bridge in Six, and the blistering tremolo intro in Air That I Breathe. The guitarists shred and riff through all eleven songs, never letting up. Another important part of what makes
The Fall of Ideals a classic is the vocals of Phil Labonte. Using everything from a high shriek like in This Calling, low growls such as those in The Weak Willed, and clean singing found in almost every song, Labonte screams and sings his way through this album with abandon. The variety of vocal deliveries is higher then on most metal records, and it is this variety that helps keep
The Fall of Ideals refreshing through every listen. The bass is handled by Jeanne Sagan, and like most metal records is pretty much inaudible, but would sorely missed if it was removed.
What makes
The Fall of Ideals a classic metalcore record instead of just an above average one is the drumming of Shannon Lucas. His drumming is especially ear catching in tracks like This Calling, Six, and Empty Inside. His tasteful, yet technical drumming is what gives this record the oomph it needs to become a staple in every metal listeners collection.
The Fall of Ideals is a classic, a record that can be played repeatedly over years and still retain it’s unique sound and the freshness that came with the first listen. Utilizing technical instrumentation along with the perfect mix of intensity and melody,
The Fall of Ideals is a must have for any fan of metalcore of any type.
