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CD REVIEW: Shadows Fall - Threads Of Life

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Artist: Shadows Fall
Album: Threads Of Life
Label: Atlantic Records
Reviewer: Derek

Shadows Fall is: Brian Fair- Vocals, Matt Bachand-Guitar/Vocals, Paul Romanko
-Bass, Jason Bittner-Drums, Jon Donais-Lead Guitar / Vocals

Whenever a metal band signs on with a major label my "sell out" antennae rises and is on the look out to be cynical. Far too many times A&R reps will tell a band what is right and wrong and what the masses want to hear. Up until the release of this record Shad (as they are known in their hometown here in Boston) had done just fine at building a fanatical fan base world wide. So it is with a sigh of relief I can say that "Threads Of Life" is void of any pencil pusher dabbling. In fact, this is the most complete work the band has put forth to date.

"You must try to seize the day, all the world will hear you, redemption in the power of the sound." Powerful words that are a staple displayed on the emblazoned intro track "Redemption". If you have any fears that Shad might go soft with the light shining on them, forget it. There will be no performance anxiety here. The track takes all the metal, thrash, hardcore and rock elements of the past and fuse them all perfectly together. The difference is Fair seems to be as comfortable singing with a clear channel as he does sporting his signature dreadlocks.

"Failure Of The Devout" is a full on audio assault. Metal thru and thru, Bittner sounds like a strung out coke addict on the kit, while Donais unleashes on a crushing metallic battery. Fair has never sounded more perturbed! Think Metallica's "Dyers Eve" here, only with far better musicianship. Music geeks are going to drool when inhaling this effort.

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I hate Ballads. They are lame! I can name 2 ballads I like: "Cemetary Gates" by Pantera, and "The Ballad" by Testament. Other then that they are stupid love songs that come across more bubble gum then sincere. Make it 3 ballads. "Another Hero Lost" is a song about Brian's friend who was lost in Irag. He sings about the experience and how his friends life will burn on in the eyes of his son. It is a touching track that oozes with sincerity. You get the feeling that Fair let acceptance of his loss engulf him and produce this very real anecdote. Lyrics so that you may sing along and be a car star:
Another Hero Lost


I'll never leave you
but Fate has come to silence me
darkness is all that I see
I cannot reach you
And soon the earth will cover me
its become so hard to breathe
Forever...is waiting
The bottles steps your taking
Will soon be buried in the sand
And all of the battles
They say we won
They leave another thousand lifes undone
Another thousand lifes
Forever...is waiting
The bottles steps your taking
Will soon be buried in the sand
Your caught but not forgot
Another Hero lost
The sorrow builds with every passing
All the lessons that you taught
When all would light you bright
It is all in the eyes of your son
(Solo)
Forever...is waiting
The bottles steps your taking
Will soon be buried in the sand
Your caught but not forgot
Another Hero lost
The sorrow builds with every passing
All the lessons that you taught
When all would light you bright
It is all in the eyes of your son

"Final Call" might be my favorite track on the record. The bridge is very brooding and almost foreboding. Then when the chorus hits, the track flies and Fair belts out a huge rock star melody that relents to some hardcore gang vocals. Powerful and uplifting till the angst come back around for another attack. Eventually the melodies return to take you out. I have to say Fair's ability to trade off between his usual grunt and heart breaking melodies is a pleasant surprise. He has improved 10 fold!


I have a challenge, compare this record with any of your favorite Metallica, Megadeth, or Testament albums. I guarantee you will dig this one more, it is that good! I haven't been able to get rid of the damn thing, even when I am at work I will have it on…… it really bugs the old bag of wind that sits near me.


Track Listing

1. Redemption
2. Burning The Lives
3. Storm Winds
4. Failure Of The Devout
5. Venomous
6. Another Hero Lost
7. Final Call
8. Dread Uprising
9. Great Collapse
10. Just Another Nightmare
11. Forevermore



Latest page update: made by hitthepit_derek , Jul 22 2007, 1:14 PM EDT (about this update About This Update hitthepit_derek Edited by hitthepit_derek


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