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Reviews
Dead To Fall - The Phoenix Throne (Victory, 2006)
For some reason metal and hardcore fans have never got along with each other. When the title "metalcore" started to be used to describe a majority of bands in the hard rock category, a constant battle among fans started. Some feel that some bands have gone too "metal" or just think the suffix "core" is a joke. I think that these statements are ridiculous because it is obvious that bands can be, and are, influenced by both genres. To prove my point, Dead to Fall's newest release, The Phoenix Throne, has the best of both genres, and should make Dead to Fall one of the few bands to get the respect of both metal and hardcore fans.
The Phoenix Throne features fast and tight ripping guitar solos and riffs that should please any metal fan. Not to mention that this album probably has some of the best breakdowns that I have heard this year. A lot of people feel The Phoenix Throne has steered more towards the metal side. This could be due to the addition of Nehemiah guitarist Aaron Nelson. The band has also shown a more technical side with The Phoenix Throne , which is the main reason that some people think deems the band more metal. I would have to say that Dead to Fall's newest release has a much darker and eerier metal sound, but the hardcore influence is still there.
I myself preferred the more raw sound that Dead to Fall displayed on their first two releases. That's not to say that The Phoenix Throne is a disappointment, because it’s far from that. Dead to Fall's sound has changed, but not too dramatically. Fans of their previous work should adapt to this latest release without even blinking an eye. In other words if you liked the old Dead to Fall, go ahead and buy this album. Dead to Fall has a lot to offer and can appeal to a wide range of people within the controversial "metalcore" scene. Thus, it's a great album for both metal and hardcore fans.
Sean Salomon
Chapman Radio (www.chapmanradio.com)