Tracks :
1. Tied to This Chair
2. When Dreams Take Over
3. My Nasty Breathing Habit...
4. Frostwyrm Part I
5. Frostwyrm Part II
6. Fatal Error Semi-Colon BlueScreen
Voyage is In Fear And Faith’s first EP and is of the Post-Hardcore genre. This EP was self-released and was released in December 2007. This is a very good debut EP and gives you a good feel of what this band is like which is what really an EP is suppose to do.
This EP is not bad, not bad at all. Some of the tracks are very emotional such as the song Taste Of regret. There are also a few tracks that are full of energy such as the songs There be Pirates Among These Seas and Live Love Die. I do like the tunes on some of the tracks on this EP! I also think that this has everything that anyone would expect from a good Post-Hardcore band. There are parts full of energy and then there are slow emotional parts such as in the song Live Love Die. Also there are frequent changes between clean and screamed vocals (which aren’t bad). This EP also has a decent length of 7 tracks which is not so bad for an EP. Also I am glad that they Improved the song Live Heart Die and changed the name to Live Love Die.
This album is not that bad but it is not perfect. Firstly, there is a repetition of the same kind of beats played over a few songs which drastically changes this EP from being good to being average. It is mainly the drums and the guitars which I think are very repetitive and these are probably the main instruments used in Metal Music so they need to be constantly changed (In my opinion). I think it is ok to hear the same tune from the same song but not the same tune from a whole bunch of songs in one album/EP/Demo. So what I am getting to here is that I think they should be more variety in this EP. Also I think that some of tracks in this EP in general should be more energetic and not so boring. They do not achieve the same energy rating such as the bands Jamie’s Elsewhere and The Amity Affliction.
Overall I think that this EP had more potential to be better but it is not so bad considering that it is their first EP. This EP is full of emotion and high in energy in most parts but can be boring in some parts. Also the repetition of the same sound annoys me. I recommend this EP to all the hardcore Post-Hardcore fans out there. I also recommend the song Live Love Die, this song will give you a lasting impression of what this EP is like. I give this EP a 16/20.
His last Walk is Blessthefall’s debut album and is the one that backed up their EP. This album has no known label. (Maybe it is self recorded). This album was the album that really put Blessthefall as one of the top players in the Post-hardcore scene.
His Last Walk is a Post-Hardcore album and sounds very emotional; it is just the way the clean and screamed vocals sound leads me to believe this. This album is made for all the emos out there (no offence).There are a few tracks that they have released from their self-titled EP. These songs are Higinia, Wait For Tomorrow and Black Rose Dying. All of the songs in this album are very emotional and I think it presents a dark depressing feeling to the listener.
I think that this album is supposed to have an emotional connection with the listener and I think it succeeds, with flying colours. This song is 100% emo, it is just the styles of music seem downbeat, and also just the way the clean vocalist and the screaming vocalist sing just makes this album seem more depressing. The sounds they make I think is supposde to make them sound like they are suffering or depressing. Especially when the screamo vocalist stops and breaths heavily, in the song Black Rose Dying. Also one of the most depressing song I have ever heard other than Suicide Season by Bring Me The Horizon is the song With Eyes Wide Shut, I also it is a continuation of the song Pray. It is just the emotional connection is why I think this album is very good because it fulfilled it’s main objective.
This album is not perfect though. I think that this album have very poor recording quality maybe because they have self recorded this album. Also that the Screamed vocals and also Clean vocals don’t really compare to other Post-Hardcore bands such as Jamie’s Elsewhere or The Amity Affliction. I think they cover the poor vocals with emotion and it works. Also musically they are not even near as good as bands like In Fear and Faith. Also that some of the songs seem dull after a while, mainly because of the same type of vocals and there is not really a wide variety of musical styles. There is still one thing that annoys me about this album and that is the song His Last Walk, it has a 2 minute pause. They have wasted 2 minutes of playing time and the stuff after that isn’t even metal. It sounds like R&B.
Overall this album is not too bad. There are some things I don’t like about this album. But the only thing that has drawn the line between good and bad is all the emotion in this album. I think it is the only thing that made Blessthefall one of the Mainstream Post-Hardcore bands. I think this is not really the best representation of Post-Hardcore but I think this still a great album and I would recommend this album to anyone who is into punk or emotional stuff. Not for people who like the Hardcore stuff. I give this album a 16/20.
Hope is Dream On Dreamer’s debut release. This EP is of the Post-Hardcore genre and was released in 2010 by boomtown records. Although this band is listed as Post-Hardcore, some really people may also consider this Screamo or even Emo Metal. This is one of those Underground gems that should be in the mainstream. This is an incredible debut EP and it is a perfect mix of awesome riffs, breakdowns and vocals that fit the music live a glove. I can really see this band making it to the big time very shortly.
This EP is one of those underground gems that is only waiting to be found. This band is almost perfectly rounded in it music and they sound almost perfectly in sync. This EP has a perfect mix of breakdowns, awesome riffs, vocals are perfect for their sound and emotion. Yep, this has it all. Not only that, but everything is of a high standard. The vocals sound great, they don’t over use the same type of scream or growl. The style he uses is seemingly perfect for the music, he doesn’t do anything too out there with the vocals. He keeps it nice and simple and that definitely works with the music. Also he has great clean vocals as well, a vital part of creating emotion in the music. The level of emotion in this EP is fairly high. The best thing about their style of music is that they don’t have to get all softy to get emotional. There is emotion throughout the whole EP and they don’t have to slowdown to create it. To do this well is fairly rare to find and what also makes this band so unique. Despite all the emotion, they make some great melodies and very good breakdowns. Also the transitions are nice and smooth and they don’t make any sudden changes, but this does not mean that they are monotone. They always change their pace and keep this EP alive and not boring.
Also like many other Post-Hardcore and Screamo bands they also incorporate some electronic music in they sound. They don’t over use it like other bands tend to do but they are there, it just adds that little bit of atmosphere to their music. Also a noticeable thing that they do in their music is that they like to build up tension and then slam it, this sounds great because they down slam it down to the point where it interrupts the pace of the music but enough to make a noticeable change. Also the drums sound fairly crazy throughout many of the tracks and the drummer likes to use the Cymbals and the Top Hat a lot. He also is in sync with the rest of the band, that being said their music is very tight and can get technical at times.
There are some amazing Post-Hardcore tracks on this EP, they feature everything you want. Good melodies, breakdowns, balanced pace between slow and fast and emotion. There are some very emotional tracks on this EP. All f the tracks do contain some elements of emotion in it but the most emotional is the track In August. It is very soft and this is where the really get the emotions going. This is a very sad sounding track, it is also very well done. The vocals are perfect and the music is still fast but does not create any sense of energy.Also the lead singer clean vocals are the best in this song. Also another weird thing about this track is that it ends with an incredibly heavy breakdown, but oddly it doesn’t really affect the mood of the track. There are some really heavy breakdowns in this EP and the best ones would probably be in the tracks In August, Chapter Desired Performance and Persist The Voice. I believe all of the tracks are very good and there is nothing that really stands out because their all follow pattern typical, other than the track In August. That one is a little more emotional than the others. I have to say, that this is one if the tightest Post-Hardcore bands I have heard. They have some really tight tracks and great examples of this would have to be in the song Persist The Voice. It is very tight and is one of those tracks that slams from a relatively fast pace into a breakdown. The best example of slamming in this EP would have to be the track Planted Somewhere Hidden. The other stand out track would have to be Ambitions. It basically takes everything that is good about them and stuffs it into a single track.
This is a very good release and there are very few minor little problems that may affect some listeners. I think that the main thing that may affect listeners the most is the running time of the EP. Yes this is an EP and yes it has 6 tracks and is ok for an EP, but the thing that matters is the actual running time. The total running is around 18.5 minutes, this is very short and wrecks the EP a little. 18 minutes is very short because just about when you are getting into the music it finishes and leaves you hanging wanting more. Sometimes this is a good thing but in this case they do it too abruptly and doesn’t really satisfy the listener. Although they have a really good sound, they can sound a little monotone. Now this many not be bad for people who like their style but the only problem with this is that it won’t really target a wide audience. This can be a bit weird because many bands who sound monotone have to think really hard about where they distribute their music. Also the last thing is that the music is very powerful but at times when the drummer does his double kick, it is faded and is drowned out by the rest of the music.You really have to listen hard to hear it but it is there.
Overall this is a very good debut release and is the perfect thing to kick start their career. It may be a little hard for them because they can only distribute their music to such a small audience which may make it a little harder to get their bans out there. I am sure that they will find the right people and once they find them I expect their popularity to rise really quickly. There is no doubt this is a gem just waiting to be discovered. This is a perfect mix of emotion, great melodies, breakdowns and the vocals tie it up in a nice little package. This wouldn’t usually target a very wide audience but I will recommend this EP to any Post-hardcore, Screamo, Emo and Metalcore fans out there. For the hardcore Metalcore fans tread lightly because it may not suit you. There are a few great tracks on this EP. If you want emotion I recommend In August, If you prefer tracks that are a little faster and heavier I recommend Persist The Voice and Blackened Sky. If you want everything stuffed into 1 track listen to Ambitions. Overall this a pretty good release and I give Hope EP an 18/20.
Oceania is The Bright Star Alliance’s debut EP and it was released in 2007. This band is of the Screamo/Post-Hardcore genre and they are currently unsigned. This is their debut EP and this is a really good debut to make. Its bands like this that should be putting Australia on the map when it comes to the “Core” genres.
The Bright Star Alliance is a relatively unknown band from Melbourne Australia. Many new bands seem to be emerging from that particular area and The Bright Star Alliance has lead the pack. This debut EP will definitely give you a good idea of what their style is.This debut EP features your standard issue emo style screams, clean vocals, breakdowns and melodic riffs. Yep it has everything you can expect from your average screamo band. Musically they sound like your ordinary screamo/post-hardcore bands. The guitars have that high pitched drone sounding distortion and the lead stands out and the rhythm get turned down a little. They play fair simple riffs, nothing too advance or complex. Also the drumming is fairly simple and no very fast. Although this is the case, they do sound very tight and in sync. Also they seem to have a Punk music feeling behind the music itself rather than a metal feeling if you take away the vocals on some tracks.
They have decided to play it safe with this first release and focus more on melody and emotion. Which I think are 2 very vital elements of screamo, screamo is made up of 2 words scream and emo. They have definitely succeeded with the emotional side of things. With relatively slow melodic riffs and clean vocals they do create some kind of atmosphere. They also have a different way of expressing their different moods and in turn creates different emotions throughout the EP, it doesn’t necessarily have to be sad emotions, they can range from upbeat through to angry emotions. The song structure that they use depends on the song and atmosphere they are trying to create some have just your ordinary hardcore structure and some combine hardcore and deathcore musically and structure. They make excellent use of Breakdowns in some tracks and they mix perfectly with the vocals. Their screams are very high pitched metalcore/ emo yells. The screaming vocalist sounds like he is completely emptying his lungs when he screams. For those who don’t know, an emo scream sounds like a guttural growl but instead of growling it’s a scream. They clean vocals aren’t half bad either, they are not over the top soul singing vocals but they do fit in with the melodic parts. The drumming is very simple, simple beats and a nice steady double kick drumming.
Not all of the tracks try to be overly aggressive, but there are some. In these types of songs, you get the full feel of what this band is like. Intense deathcore style breakdowns, emo screams but they still keep their decent melodies which is a plus. Musically they are also fairly tight as well, they are all fairly well in sync but as I said they play it safe and keep it simple. They like to change moods between soft, medium and hard throughout the whole EP which keeps it nice and even also interesting. Also like many screamo/post-hardcore bands out there they like to use some special effects, not as much as Sky Eats Aeroplane or anything they mainly use them at the start of tracks. This also keeps the post-hardcore feel to it. They make a few transitions will have totally different moods. The choruses are always upbeat and the rest of the songs are usually neutral or downbeat.
This EP is fairly well rounded and has a near perfect balance of adrenaline pumping and mid pace tracks. Certain tracks have one or the other and some have both. The opening track Human.BodyAnchor is one of the medium paced tracks. It has nice simple drumming and simple riffs. Also this track has an uplifting feeling to it and it is a fairly nice and calm track to start off with. The Next track The Bluest Danube is probably the slowest and most simple track on the whole EP and features or piano playing. Although those are nice and calm songs that lean more to Post-Hardcore and Punk, there are some that are some that lean towards the deathcore side. Once you hit that track Staring Into Reflections Return Nothing, this is where it starts to get real. The opening Breakdown is really good and the rest of the track stays at a nice steady pace. Also the melodies are fairly good in this track aswell and suit very well with the clean vocals. Melodies are another thing really keep their music alive, the track Swimming With the Serpent has some of the best melodies and is their signature song from them so far. It has a nice and upbeat feeling to it and is fairly relaxing. The last track in the EP is called I Am Destruction and it is the song that throws everything in a box and ties it into a nice little package. They change from upbeat to downbeat emotions and sounds combines Deathcore and Post-Hardcore the most. Also drumming in this track is a lot more quicker and the music is tighter. Not to mention they use growls also more as well.
Although this is one really good EP, there are a few things that keep it from being perfect. The first thing is that they might have played it too safe with their music. There are many times where the music sounds monotone and uninteresting. The drumming doesn’t do anything to help it as well, in fact is makes it sound even more boring than it already is. The drummer seems to be a little slow at the double bass as well, there are times that he tries to be fast but hasn’t worked but he can keep a good baseline. Also there are some elements that don’t really mix together as well which makes it feel unbalanced. One example of this is that at times some of the members play some simple slow calm musicals while the vocalist is still screaming his lungs out. This makes it feel tangled and a little annoying.
Also the clean vocalist’s single is very bland and unenthusiastic. Also his voice is drowned out at times and sounds a little monotone. Also the screamed vocals are a little annoying as well when he also sings in monotone and he rarely changes his tone. Also they and utilize the growls as well as they should have done which could have made the Ep as a whole a lot more interesting that the same boring vocals. Also the music starts and stops a lot on disrupts the flow of the music, also when people pause it is usually a signal that they are going to transition into another riff, chorus or a breakdown perhaps, but they don’t even do that at times. They just continue like nothing has happened. Also they are not subtle either and they last for a while. All of these have a major affect on how this EP flows and the feel you get from it. They have brought nothing really new to the table of post-hardcore/screamo and they don’t seem to be as ambitious as some other new bands out there. This really does affect them if they want to keep making music that people will still want to listen to 10 years from now. They do experiment, no doubt but they need to get their priorities set out first and I guess an EP is a great way to test them out. It is these problems though that lets this EP down the most unfortunately and they really do have a major affect.
Overall this is not a bad debut EP. This band is from Melbourne Australia and many bands of the same style are coming out from their so they have to work especially hard of they want to get noticed. Although their motives for their music are unclear, they do mix deathcore, post-hardcore and punk elements fairly well together. They are very tight and they work well together, they may sound very unskilled and boring at times but improvement comes with experience. There are a few things that many disappoint the audience at times such as; the vocals and the structure some of the songs together but this is still very good post-hardcore and definitely worth a look. There are quite a few moods to this Ep to keep it entertaining. For people who like Breakdowns and heaviness I recommend the track Staring Into Reflections Return Nothing. The track with the best melodies would have to be the track Swimming With the Serpent and for people who like speed and melody I recommend the track I Am Destruction. I Am Destruction is probably the standout track in the whole EP because it brings all of the elements together into one track. I recommend this EP to anyone who likes deathcore, metalcore and post-hardcore/screamo. Overall I think this is still a pretty good EP and worth a look, I give it a 15/20.
