Fire From the Sky

Shadows Fall | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 15, 2012)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Razor & Tie
• ASIN: B007NE02EK
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,323 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2012 release from the American Metal outfit. Fire From The Sky was recorded at Zing Studios in Westfield, Massachusetts with longtime friend, producer/engineer and Killswitch Engage/Times Of Grace guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz. Adam D., was also intimately involved in the writing of the new material.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Shadows Fall - Fire From The Sky May 15, 2012

By Gentlegiantprog TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Audio CD

Shadows Fall have been very consistent over the years, and like Hatebreed it could be argued (exaggeratedly) that if you've heard one album then you've heard them all, although possibly excluding their debut with Phil Labonte on vocals instead of Brian Fair. If you've heard any previous Brain Fair era Shadows Fall album then you know what to expect, the only major changes over the years have been production value and the ratio of clean to heavy moments.

If you've never heard Shadows Fall before, they sit on the Thrash Influenced but very melodic end of the Metalcore spectrum, like Rise To Remain and Trivium, as opposed to the heavier and more groove orientated end like Devildriver or Lamb Of God. If you don't like any Metalcore whatsoever, Shadows Fall aren't likely to change your mind, but if you do you'll likely find them a worthy addition to your collection.

The production job (by Killswitch Engage's Adam Dutkiewicz) is almost faultless and the entire band's performance is precise and confident as always. Jason Bittner's critically acclaimed drumming is excellent with pounding double-kicks and occasional blasts. Brain Fair's, Matt Bachand's & Jonathan Donais' three-tiered vocal approach is as good as it has always been, with an extra focus on background death-vocals this time around. The guitar work is peppered full of Thrash riffs, Shredding Solos and Melodic leads amid the usual Metalcore style, there are waves and waves of excellent guitar solos on this album that are great even by the band's own standards.

I would argue that the album starts off very well, and leads with some of its strongest material. When listening to these first few songs, even if you've liked the band all along, you get the feeling that Shadows Fall have become energized and have stepped up their game somewhat, tracks like `Nothing Remains' for example just have an extra spark of enthusiasm in them and would work amazingly well in a live environment.

Highlights include the pre-released Title Track, the closer `The Wasteland' and `Weight Of The World' which are three of the heaviest tracks and are all a bit more technical and death-influenced than recent records have been.

Another highlight is the bouncy `Walk The Edge' which is reminiscent of the band's bigger singles like `Redemption' and `The Light That Blinds' in its mixture of upbeat melodic moments, gang backing vocals and intermittent heavy sections, it bridges the gap rather well between this album and previous ones.

Overall, Fire From The Sky is not that dramatic a departure from the existing Shadows Fall style, so if you are sick of that or never liked it in the first place then this isn't something you'll fall in love with. There is a slight refocusing on the heavier side though, so it isn't just a carbon copy of their last album either. If you are up for more of what you already like, with a little twist, then the album will prove a superb addition to your existing collection.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great album, but doesn't take too many risks May 17, 2012

By Nate

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Shadows Fall was one of the bands that initially got me interested in metal. The first album I heard from them was The War Within, and I've followed their releases ever since. While my own tastes have changed quite a bit since then, I can still appreciate this band.

They have moved more towards a traditional heavy metal sound on every release, which I don't consider a bad thing, but fans of the early albums will be happy to know that this album is much closer to that early sound than Threads Of Life or Retribution were. In fact, Fire From The Sky sounds like older SF combined with their newer stuff. If that's exactly what you are looking for, this will be a 5-star album for you.

As for me, I was hoping for more than more of the same. Don't get me wrong, I really like this album for what it is, but there's nothing on here that really surprised me or blew me away. Shadows Fall have never really been the type of band to drastically mess with their formula, but I can't help feeling like what I'm hearing here is the same thing as before just a little more polished. The biggest improvement I noticed is how good Brian's clean vocals have gotten. He has really come a long ways these last few releases; I'm impressed.

If you like the band, this album is worth your money. Just don't expect it to be a huge improvement from what they have done before.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best since Of One Blood May 16, 2012

By Darin Boyle

Format:Audio CD

Shadows Fall have out done themselves on this. I had almost given up on them, because I wasn't sure they could top "Of One Blood" in terms of the vocal melodies. This took the vocals as well as the band to a whole new level. Tight as ever, in every aspect of the band. Best metal album of 2012!