Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Wastefall
Title
Self Exile
Type
LP/EP
Company
Sensory Records
YOR
2006
Style
Progressive
1/3/2007 - Review by: Etiam
Wastefall - Self Exile - 2006 - Sensory Records

Track Listing
1. Intro
2. Willow Man
3. The Muzzle Affection
4. Dance of Descent
5. Another Empty Haven
6. Strife for Definition
7. Sleepwalk
8. Eternal Yearning Entities
9. Utopia Fragmented
10. 4 Minutes to Abandon
11. Provoke the Divine
Between signing to Sensory Records, being offered a slot at Progpower VII, and releasing ‘Self Exile’, the past two years have been quite industrious for Greek progressive metal group Wastefall. Formed only in 2003, they have quickly released three full lengths and endured a number of line-up changes on the road to their current acclaim and burgeoning success.

Yet, there is a point on the road to legitimate stardom where one can no longer ride the way of promotion and good production. That final obstacle (or requirement, depending on one’s perspective) along the way is the band’s inherent creativity. Some bands are perfectly content to follow a formula and bask in the afterglow of others’ success—others are more individually inspired, and thereby progress not only their own goals but also the standards of the entire genre they perform.

Alas, Wastefall are still trying to decide which side of the fence they’re going to be on. Although ‘Self Exile’ does try, rather well at times, it ultimately amounts to a rough and ordinary handful of Pain of Salvation knock-offs. On entirely its own merits, it is actually not a bad album, as the musicians are skilled, the delivery passionate, and the approach dynamic. But the fact remains that this is essentially based upon the work of Daniel Gildenlöw and his crew, so ‘Self Exile’ will therefore be judged by those same standards; thus, it falls short.

As unoriginal as ‘Self Exile’ is, there are a number of highlights deserving of mention. Pain of Salvation is a lofty group to mimic, after all, so it stands to reason that even the poorest imitation would be passable at least. ‘The Muzzle Affection’ features one of the album’s best vocal passages, a duet between the lead and a female guest leading a progressive, jazzy interlude. ‘Sleepwalk’ is also fairly compelling, discounting the Euro-industrial beat and some melodramatic vocals, and is followed by perhaps the best riff on the album, the opener to ‘E.Y.E.’. This last example thrashes quite impressively, showing the potential Wastefall possess before eventually submerging back into its puppet role.

These few elements do not a masterpiece make, though. Knowing the muse they aspire to, the finished product is quite underwhelming. For those thinking these standards are too harsh, consider that even the promotional material for this album acknowledges its strong resemblance and influence from Pain of Salvation. It seems to accept that Wastefall’s success up to now, an indeed, even their future success, is reliant upon those Swedish forebears. This, to put it bluntly, is simply unacceptable. It is unfair to the fans, Pain of Salvation, and most importantly, Wastefall themselves—they have the technical ability and diversity of talent to create more compelling and unique material than this.



--Etiam 12.04.06

  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    2 :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: WASTEFALL
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
Self Exile
2006
Sensory Records
Etiam1/3/2007
2

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: WASTEFALL
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