Shadows Fall – The War Within
Century Media, 2004
1. The Light That Blinds
2. Enlightened By the Cold
3. Act of Contrition
4. What Drives the Weak
5. Stillness
6. Inspiration On Demand
7. The Power of I and I
8. Ghosts of Past Failure
9. Eternity is Within
10. Those Who Cannot Speak
Coming off the widely popular (in metal circles, anyway) The Art of Balance, Headbanger’s Ball favorites Shadows Fall appear to be capitalizing on their wider audience. While the urge of an artist is typically to grow and change, to diversify and create new and different things, the thirst for fame and fortune often leads the artist to fade into the background in the hopes of recreating the magic that started them down the golden path. In the world of metal where folks are all too easily judged as sellouts or abandoning their core audience, it most certainly is an “art of balance.”
Such why The War Within could be seen as the album that could make or break the headway they already have. Topping 100,000 discs is not an easy feat for a new metal band that certainly wasn’t seeking top-40 radio airplay, and they along with labelmates Lacuna Coil seem to be proving that the current flavor is to find something new and different.
Thus, it’s no surprise that the new album doesn’t stray too far from the music and concepts that blew them up in the first place. Decidedly non-American in sound, Shadows Fall continues in the hybrid vein of old death metal styled tunes combined with a vast update in vocals (courtesy of Brian Fair) and a focus on the power of a good groove. It’s still too much to be radio-friendly, but it’s a bigger step toward the mainstream than most of the Swedish bands to which they are often compared.
There’s a great feeling as the album kicks off with “The Light That Blinds” as some juicy soloing and powerful drumlines are a friendly reminder why Shadows Fall’s following grew over the past couple of years. In fact, it’s almost too much of a reminder; many of the songs are very reminiscent of The Art of Balance. They’re not bad in the least but do tend to become one blender of style instead of individual songs. “Enlightened By The Cold” and “Act of Contrition” seem much better when enjoyed separate of the album, away from a cluttered palate. Towards the end of the disc, however, suddenly this pattern is broken with the brutal “The Power of I and I” and the almost power-metalish “Ghosts of Past Failure,” each song with a very distinctive sound and showcasing the diversity Shadows Fall truly has to offer.
Altogether, there are no true low points to be found. The worst accusation one could have towards The War Within is that it lacks forward momentum, but at the same time, there aren’t many bands playing the type of music that Shadows Fall plays (sideways comparisons to Killswitch Engage notwithstanding) and therefore still manages to sound fresh. For those just walking into the band for the first time, there are no worries that recommendations from others would no longer stand true. This album proves that they have found their niche and are solid as a rock. You know, until the next lineup change, of which surprisingly they had none for this effort. Not that anyone would run when the money finally starts to pour in, right?
Think of Bon Jovi when they came off the stupendously huge Slippery When Wet with New Jersey. There wasn’t much difference between the albums, and the latter wasn’t quite as good as the former, but both were cash cows that created what everyone knows to be Bon Jovi. The War Within takes that place in Shadows Fall’s catalog. It’s undeniably Shadows Fall. It kicks some butt. And once you start listening, you will remember them and thirst for more.
