Shadows Fall - The War Within
2004 Century Media

Track Listing:
1.  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 In Within
10. Those Who Cannot Speak

Line-Up:
Vocals:  Brian Fair
Lead Guitar:  Jonathan Donais
Guitar:  Mathew Bauchand
Bass:  Paul Romanko
Drums:  Jason Bittner

Website:  www.shadowsfall.com

Skin Splitter's Rating:  B
Overall Album Rating:  B

Skin Splitter's Review:
What do you know?  Another metalcore band from Massachusetts.  Who gives a crap right?  Hell wrong and Prong.  This five piece stands out a little farther than the others for the following reasons...Harmony, guitar solos, no "breakdowns", thought, speed, complex rhythms and key signatures.  All of that combines to create what is Shadows Fall's best release to date. 

When I first heard Shadows Fall, I hated them.  Hated Them.  Why?  The music was great, but the vocals were just plain awful.  They seemed forced, overpowering and really took away from the music.  On this album, Captain Fair toned down his growls, added some singing (which I'm normally against but goes really well with this type of music), and has put some thought in the lyrics.

The drummer (Bittner) is steady throughout, adding fast double bass (which I can't tell if it's triggered or not.  If you listen to it and you're in front of your speakers, you'd swear they weren’t.  If you stood behind your speakers, you would swear they were), with offbeat symbol and snare drum beats.  I get confused trying to "air drum" the parts he's playing with his hands.  Unfortunately, you really have to actively listen to the drums to hear it because the combination of vocals and guitar turn the polyrythms into sounding like regular playing.

All I can say about the bass player is that I'm surprised they have one.  I can barely hear it.  Why?  Cause the guitar parts rip.  That's right.  Just like metalcore should be, Shadows Fall uses the same format that Iron Maiden and Judas Priest used.  And why mess with success?  Two guitars playing different harmonies, octaves, bridges, and having it flow seamlessly.  Combine that with the speed at which they play and you have good shit.  Plus, solos.  And not forced solos either but more of a simple progression of the song.

Looking at this record now, it's very good.  But, it does take some getting used to.  I think I had to play it ten to twelve times almost in a row in order to get into it.  Some people can't get past the vocals, and I understand that.  I can't get past them on their previous releases.  But, if you can get past that part, there are a lot of interesting harmonies and catchy riffs going on in there that will eventually grab your attention.
Skin Splitter's Rating:  B

Discography (last updated 10.25.05):
To Ashes 7" - 1997
Somber Eyes To The Sky - 1998
Of One Blood - 2000
Dead World - 2001
Fear Will Drag You Down - 2002
The Art Of Balance - 2002
The War Within - 2004