Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Shadows Fall - War Within - Century Media Records - 2004 - Reviewed by Chaoslord

Track Listing1. The Light That Blinds 2. Enlightened By The Cold 3. Act Of Contrition 4. What Drives The Weak 5. Stillness 6. Inspiration On Demand 7. The Power Of I and I 8. Ghosts Of Past Failures 9. Eternity Is Within 10. Those Who Cannot Speak

Alright, I am sure everyone knows this band by now, right? Well if you don't apparently you slept through all of last year and are waking up from a good sleep right about now. If you haven't checked this band out I just want to ask you "What the hell is wrong with you?" This band has evolved so much from their first album and still prove that you can change as a band without foregoing what you are good at. That being said, I am quite pleased with Shadows Fall's latest effort. A lot of people that I talked with before the album came out were skeptical because some of the songs they heard had vocalist Brian Fair using clean vocals over clean guitars--so what?!?!?!? They did a great cover of Pink Floyd's "Welcome to the Machine", that appeared on the album "The Art of Balance", and Fair did nothing but use clean vocals on that song, so let the band grow and do something they feel like experimenting with. There are some songs with clean vocals and guitars in them, but don't let it influence you away from buying the album based on that. These guys are quickly honing their thrash chops and the rest of the songs on the CD showcase that easily. For a young band they have an old thrash feel about them all around, especially after their last album came out. Couple that with the fact that these guys tour relentlessly and you have a band that deserves every ounce of respect that it gets. They work hard at what they do and are damn good at it. Man, this turned into a speech instead of a review, sorry bout that. The album is chock full of nasty, thrash infested riffs, heavy yet clever drum work, thoughtful and provoking lyrics and many memorable songs. This quintet has further proven themselves to the metal world with this album. Songs like "The Light That Blinds", "What Drives the Weak", "Inspiration On Demand" and "Those Who Cannot Speak" will crush all those whining little babies with no remorse whatsoever. This album has shot Shadows Fall to the front of the metal scene as far as the new bands are concerned. While it can't touch the older metal stuff, it will definitely be mentioned in the same breath as those old classics. You need to go and buy this album and see just what it is Shadows Fall is capable of. You will not regret it.



--Chaoslord 09.27.04