Album Review

Dead To Fall – Are You Serious

• 29th Mar 2008

Rarely has pioneering experimental metal maintained such face-melting extremes of raging brutality.

Far from detracting from the uncompromisingly extreme metal vein of the Chicago quintet’s fourth release to date, Dead To Fall’s technical ingenuity contributes an additional electronic sting to their already ferocious brand of metalcore. With titles as abstractly intriguing as “Brain Melter” and “Doombox”, this is a very seldom-encountered breed of metal whose heaviness is equally rivalled by its ability to beguile and astound.

Instrumentally minimalist “The Future” is a bizarre fusion of chugging bass and caustic electronica. By dramatic contrast, “Sleeping Bag” is painstakingly elaborate with its majestic dual assault of perilously low-slung bass and intricate solos. “Major Rager” embodies a similarly satisfying, dark graceful sound quality featuring dizzyingly rapid, complex axemanship.

“Lock Ness” evokes a seemingly fragile state of tranquillity punctuated by the raw-edged resonance of lead vocalist, Jonathan D. Hunt’s guttural death grunts. Opening on a random waltz-like time signature, the lead guitar and high impact percussion rise to a blissfully tangled melodic climax. “Doombox” reveals a veritable blizzard of electronic effects and double bass pedal mayhem accompanied by Hunt’s howling, bestial vocal exertions.

A sophisticated, aesthetically appealing release, “Are You Serious?” captures the essence of unbridled extreme metal adrenalin then proceeds to dissect and refashion it within its own uniquely twisted, inventive designs.