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The Gauntlet: Fall Of Empyrean |
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Fall Of Empyrean Album Review
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Tracklist
1. The Fading Light (7:17)
2. Slowly Dying Inside (10:17)
3. No Hope Before Me (9:03)
4. Into Emptiness I Fall (6:23)
5. Failure (7:26)
6. Fallen Ways of God (6:24)
7. A Mourner's Tears (6:12)
8. In the Shadows of the Sun (8:40)
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FALL OF EMPYREAN is a United States doom metal band in the tradition of U.K. bands like MY DYING BRIDE and early ANATHEMA mixed with elements of fellow countrymen like MORGION and early VEHEMENCE. Knowledgeable fans of this genre may have heard this band on doom-metal radio or residents of Arizona might have seen them play with fellow natives, VEHEMENCE (RIP). For those yet to experience this sadly overlooked group, a summary in one sentence of 'a darkness remembered' could include hair-raising guitar tones that ring in your ear like a overdose of Aspirin, subtle melodic interludes through acoustic guitar and distortion-less electric guitar, neighbor-complaining bass drops, tumbling drum rolls to accompany many of the rise-and-fall motions of each verse, and vocals that reflect the band's feeling of hopeless and despondency contained in the album's lyrics.
Every aspect of 'A Darkness Remembered' supports the album's dark themes. The dead trees at the early moments of nightfall adorning the cover art provide a panoramic scene for those who admire the beauty in darkness. FALL OF EMPYREAN writes songs dealing with topics universal for those whom stability is not one of life's options. 'No Hope Before me' is about the loss of hope. 'The Fading Light' touches on life's effervescent colors turning dull and gray. 'Failure' is self-explanatory. Each song rhythmically moves to the pace of a psyche ward patient robotically pacing the hospital's hallway with head lowered and eyes reflecting nothing. 'Slowly Dying Inside' features several melodic parts where the narrator asks a question then finds the cruel answer when the heavy, distorted guitars fade in. Richard Medina is multi-vocal, laying death growls over top of mid-range, black metal screams. This juxtaposition of vocal styles is akin to the multiple voices in a schizophrenic's head.
You do not need to long for darkness' embrace to enjoy 'A Darkness Remembered.' There are many elements to enjoy from purely a musical standpoint like the way the masterfully arranged guitars and keyboards. Listeners could find many aspects of the music to be enticing. However—the lost, downtrodden, and forgotten may identify with the more personal aspects of this album, and find putting the album away to be a difficult task. The over-the-top negativity transferred into the lyrics can provide an opportunity for catharsis.
Review by: Darren Cowan
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