FALL OF SERENITY
"Royal
Killing" (Metal Age; 2004)
Reviewed by Christopher
J. Kelter
Rooted in old-school Swedish-styled death metal,
Germany-based Fall Of Serenity draw from the best of the genre’s early days to today’s more
metalcore and melody-infused styles. To my ears, Fall Of Serenity sound like a cross between Darkest Hour
and Killswitch Engage. The Darkest Hour influences comes mostly from the growling vocal style and the Killswitch Engage
reference is courtesy of the band’s deft use of melody (musical and vocal).
The title track and the last track, “Demon-(mon)archy,” are particularly impressive. Each of these tracks blends speed,
aggression, and twin-guitar riffs/leads that impale the sonic memory banks. “Falling
Apart” is another standout track as it builds and gathers strength reaching an epic feel by the song’s end.
Overall, “Royal Killing” is a fairly solid album – it’s consistently good
and attempts to simultaneously honor and break free of melodic death metal’s traditions
and constraints. Fall Of Serenity is a band worth checking out and I think will be a band that could
be reckoned with if they continue to mature in both sound and delivery.
“Royal Killing” was produced by Patrik W. Engel.
Fall Of Serenity is Rene Betzold on vocals, Alex Fisher and Eddy Langner on guitars, John Gahlert on bass and backing
vocals, and Nick Putzmann on drums.
For more information visit http://www.fallofserenity.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2006 by R. Scott Bolton. All
rights reserved.
Revised: 16 Sep 2024 12:13:34 -0400
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