Can one of the metal guys in here

[Guest Red Hot Thumbtack In The Eye]

You know, I've heard a lot of good things about this band. Basically I'd like someone to describe them and maybe recommend a cd or two of theirs that I might check out at some point.

 

[Guest redbaron51]

you are not missing much,

 

but that is my opinion

[Guest CoreyLazarus416]

And we know redbaron's opinion means shit to me, most of the time, so I'll try my best to persuade you into purchasing one of their 4 albums (1 EP, 1 Live from Japan, and 2 LPs).

 

Shadows Fall are a quintet out of Massachusetts (New Bedford or Revere, I'm forgetting which; I know Beyond The Embrace, a sextet out of MA, is based in the one that Shadows Fall isn't). Their music screams of musical genius, while at the same time being incredibly heavy, yet soothing. The changes in both time and overall sound of their riffs should catch you automatically.

Blending death metal with thrash metal and hardcore, Shadows Fall really need to be heard to be believed, honestly. The band caught on to a new trend in death/thrash metal by using excessive amounts of riff changes and having guitarists that exceed in classical training.

 

RECOMMENDED DOWNLOADS:

"The First Noble Truth"

"Crushing Belial"

"The Art Of Balance" (title track off of their just-released 2nd LP, The Art Of Balance)

"Stepping Outside The Circle"

"Purity"

"Lead Me Home"

"Revel In My Loss"

"To Ashes"

 

Those should give you a good taste of what Shadows Fall sound like (considering I just recommended about 1/4 of their library).

 

CDs TO CHECK OUT:

Somber Eyes To The Sky (original 10-track EP, produced by the band for Lifeless Records)

Of One Blood

The Art Of Balance

 

I have yet to get the Live in Japan album, or their newest LP The Art Of Balance, but both are definitely on my list.

 

EDIT:

And if you end up liking Shadows Fall, check out fellow Bay State Metallers Beyond The Embrace, whose debut album Against The Elements was released earlier this year/late last year (I forget which) on Metal Blade. As a personal note, I enjoy Beyond The Embrace more than I do Shadows Fall, but that's only my feelings.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

I need to check these guys out. They don't play any majestic metal sounding shit like Blind Guardian or anything do they? I get that vibe from the name.

[Guest CoreyLazarus416]

Only thing more non-majestic from Blind Guardian would be the downright stupid-and-awful-as-fuck black metal and death metal bands that come out of New York all the time.

 

Trust me, Massachusetts is dead-serious about its metal and hardcore. Make fun of all of our other scenes, but our metal and hardcore scenes are fucking great.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

so, that didn't answer my question. Give me an idea of what they sound like. Comparable to another band?

[Guest CoreyLazarus416]

I can't really compare them to any other band, honestly...

 

Closest comparison I could give you would be old-school hardcore blended with Slayer, 80's Metallica (for the traces of classical influence), and Arch Enemy.

[Guest Red Hot Thumbtack In The Eye]

CoreyLazarus416 Posted on Sep 29 2002, 11:01 PM

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I can't really compare them to any other band, honestly...

 

Closest comparison I could give you would be old-school hardcore blended with Slayer, 80's Metallica (for the traces of classical influence), and Arch Enemy.  

 

doesn't really sound like the style i generally like, although i do enjoy arch enemy and old 'Tallica. Not a big fan of most 'hard core' styles but I'm gonna check 'em out...cheers

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

Any blast and groove breakdowns or anything?

[Guest CoreyLazarus416]

A couple songs have groove breakdowns, but the vast majority are classical breakdowns, so they're not a TRUE thrash band...

 

But still, if you can download music, download Shadows Fall. Incredibly good.

[Guest La Parka Es Mi Papa]

Shadow's Fall is without a doubt, the best band in the world right now. I can't really say who they sound like, but they sound nothing like Blind Guardian.

[Guest CoreyLazarus416]

And if a Soda Popinski mark agrees with me, you KNOW I'm right.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

I didn't say they sounded like Blind Guardian, I just got that vibe from the name. I've never heard 'em, but plan to if I run across them..

 

The lack of blasting disheartens me somewhat, but isn't integral.

 

The met-----a comparison is what really sends up red flags.

[Guest CoreyLazarus416]

It's only because of how well Shadows Fall flows with classical music that the Metallica comparison is used.

[Guest redbaron51]

Guitar World has a little article about Shadows Fall in their latest issue