ALBUM REVIEW: For The Fallen Dreams – For The Fallen Dreams

FOR THE FALLEN DREAMS have come a long way since their arrival on the scene back in 2003. With a revolving door of personnel coming and going over the years, their only constant has been lead guitarist (but jack of all trades) Jim Hocking. It’s been five years since their previous album Six and their newly released self-titled effort is a clean slate in many respects with it being their first residing on the roster of Arising Empire. How will this fare amongst their extensive back catalogue?

It is immediately evident that FOR THE FALLEN DREAMS mean business. RE-Animate comes equipped with a massive chorus bookmarked by hefty hooks that reel you in from the word go. The ebbing and flowing pacing allows for dramatic explosions of energy to come launching through your body. What If follows suit as rapid fire drum beats lead the way. Captivating rapping adds another layer of variety to digest. Last One Out gears up for another aggressive assault. Vibrant, emotive melodies lock horns with formidable heaviness.

Without You wears its heart on its sleeve, opting for a more restrained but effective stride. Crushing riff work and a sublime lead run assists in amplifying the sentiments conveyed by the unfolding narrative. Testify puts that bounce back in the moshpit with sharp shots of adrenaline. The lyrical flow meshes seamlessly with intricate drum fills. Brace for the impact of the monstrous breakdown. Searching… runs the risk of following a formula too similar to its counterparts as the well of tricks starts to run dry. The execution is still impressive but it doesn’t necessarily get you excited. Suprapersonal restores some faith, unloading an abundance of differing moods and tones alongside a threat of chaos lurking around the corner.

No Heaven ups the ante with a raunchy round of riffing that sadly only rears its head in brief pockets. A mouthwatering solo sequence gets your blood pumping. Sulfate rips the door right off its hinges with seismic, stomping grooves. Unlike some of its predecessors, the transitional shifts to a more melodic structure don’t derail its momentum. This track has ‘heavy lifting gym playlist’ written all over it – a definite highlight thus far. This mentality rubs off on Lavender as its industrial influenced approach is still littered with dramatic volleys of violence. Chemicals continues to harness that fire and vigour into providing an emphatic curtain closer.

For The Fallen Dreams is a solid outing that encompasses an abundance of spirit and passion but it almost unintentionally derails itself by becoming too comfortable with its own blueprint. If it wasn’t for the latter end of the release elevating the game it could have been an entirely different proposition. This collective have so much to offer but they need to be careful that they don’t fall into complacency and be swept away by the unrelenting tide of metalcore.

Rating: 7/10

For The Fallen Dreams is out now via Arising Empire.

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