Search - Dead to Fall :: The Phoenix Throne

Dead To Fall ~The Phoenix Throne~

RaY RaY Pine | Philly | 05/24/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Dead To Fall's third album is, from what I've read, a departure of sorts for the band. This being the first entire album I've heard by the band, I am only able to judge this disc on its own merits. From what I hear of this album, I'm a little impressed. While the exact style of thrashy hardcore isn't my style, they do it well enough for me to pay attention. Hatebreed style vocals aside, let's talk about what I DO enjoy about this album:



The riffs and solos! Thirty seconds into "Womb Portals" the first of many brutal/evil riffs is dropped. After listening to the album, this still may be my favorite riff on the disc! Like their label mates in Between the Buried and Me, Dead to Fall have a knack for excellent lead and solo work. "Guillotine Dream" has a dark atmospheric section with brooding eerie lead work on top while "Smoke and Mirrors" has a great solo that reminds me of something Chris Poland would have done as an outtake from Rust in Peace. The vocal style can grate on you if you're used to a singer with some diversity, but if you can deal with straight ahead guttural growls and you enjoy metal, you'll find something to like on here. This is the style band I feel the genre needs more of.



The one piece that I was interested in hearing prior to listening to the record was "Death and Rebirth." With orchestration and choral arrangements by Michael Romeo of Symphony X fame I was interested to see what they did with this song. I would say it reminds me of almost every other track on the album that has a middle section that involves keyboards. The solo, of course, has an excellent tone and shapes up to be another excellent addition to the album--but overall, Michael's contribution is pretty much unnecessary.



One flaw with the disc? The songs feel like they drag a little too much. Some of the tracks go on a little longer than they should. I would think by their third album they would know when to end a song; but that is my chief complaint. I prefer when a band like this sets a mood, than gets out before you have time to think too much about it. They dwell a little too long on some songs. The music itself is pretty damn solid thrash metal infused hardcore. I suggest giving it a listen but only if you can track a few entire songs down, focus on the solos and the lead work. I like where this band is headed!



For fans of: Remembering Never, Between the Buried and Me, Ligeia

"

Different than the before, but a marked improvement.

Andrew Workman | Flint, MI USA | 05/09/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anyone who says this bands has not made any improvement is obviously not listening very closely. The new material is VERY different than the old material, and in my opinion, WAY better. Gone is the swedish metal worship intinged with breakdowns, and present is the new, almost progressive sounding Dead to Fall. They describe their genre now as "Progressive Thrash", and overall, I would have to agree. I hear a LOT of people complaining about the change in sound, as I did at first too. However, give the record some time, and it just may grow on you, as it did me. The guitars here are really strong, with lots of oddball, but VERY interesting riffs and progressions. The drums are stronger than ever, with the drummer finally able to stretch out to his full ability. The new music is less straightforward, and as a result, the drummer really gets to shine here. Vocalist Jon Hunt finally recorded an album that I personally think most accurately reflects what his vocals sound like live. In my opinion, this is a very good thing, as I dislike when a vocalist sounds one way recorded, and completely different live. Overall, I think this is a magnificent album, and although very different, I think it is very good!"

(3.5 stars) Good to listen, but wait..... what song is this?

Andrew Workman | 01/03/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album was OK, but most songs sound the same. I couldn't tell what track I was on, same thing like the band As I Lay Dying. I hate that about heavy metal, you just sometimes can't tell what track you are on. Other then that, it's pretty good. Songs are pretty long, like "Guillotine Dream (Slow Drugs)", which is 6:15, but kind of a boring song. They should try to play shorter songs, more guitar solo's, and try to use clean vocals. my favorite tracks are "Reptile Lord", "All My Heroes Have Failed Me", "Smoke And Mirrors", "Doomed To Failure", and "Chum Fiesta". The drumming was great! "All My Heroes Have Failed Me" was the best song, also another song with guitar solo. "Death And Rebirth" was a good song, but it started to get a little soft around 2:55. And the music video for "Chum Fiesta" was werid. Also, check out the band Inhale Exhale!"