forsaken_after_the_fall

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Forsaken - After The Fall

Genre: Doom Metal

Rating: 10 / 11

After several weeks of listening to the new Forsaken release "After The Fall" I've finally been able to sit down and put together some words to describe what I have taken from this album. At first I wasn't sure how I would respond to it since 2005's "Dominaeon" is such a huge album itself. "After The Fall" is in no way a clone album, there is no use of a written formula to recreate a vibe nor is this a continuation of any sort. This is a new life, a new entity and a new moment in time with separate emotions. This new material is very spiritual and very heavy - both in music and from a lyrical viewpoint. The theme is about the fall of man and evil, the battle of Angels and Daemons. The lyrics go pretty deep but are stripped down compared to past releases and in this case is a must to keep stride with the density of the music. This is the heaviest offering to date for Forsaken and with each listen it only gets better. The unorthodox vocal approach, the slow churning riffs and bass lines, the massive weight of the drums, the soaring ever higher guitar solos - all let the music breath and thus get every drop of life from the material to surface and fill the air.

1. Tenebrarum (Intro)

2. Aidenn Falls

3. Sins of the Tempter

4. The Lord Sayeth

5. Vanguards of the Void

6. Armida's Kiss

7. The Sage

8. Dies Irae (Day of Wrath)

9. Metatron and the Mibor Myhtos

All lyrics by albert Bell

All music by Forsaken

Leo Stivala - Vocals

Sean Vukovic - Guitar

Albert Bell - Bass

Simeon Gatt - Drums

Artwork - Jowita Kaminska

Layout & Design - Ola Blomkvist

Produced by - David Vella & Forsaken

Engineered, mixed and mastered by David Vella @ Temple Studios - Malta

Forsaken hail from Malta, a country known for it's history and heritage. This band have been around since the early 90's and remain a staple in the metal community. They have continued to put forth the finest epic doom there is and in 2009 have yet again created a peerless example of what doom is with the release of "After The Fall". If you have ever read John Milton's Paradise lost you might get an idea of how this album starts with the screams and end time destruction you hear on the into track "Tenebrarum". This is followed by one of the best songs the band has performed in "Aidenn Falls" ... talk about feeling like you can soar on the winds of forever !, this track has a heavy beat with massive grooves. The vocals flow along delivering the lyrics as if an ancient choir from the beginning of time had channeled them direct. The chorus chimes in with an up tempo - tremelo guitar rythym while the drums provide the foundation that this massive piece of iron is set on. "Sins of the Tempter" sets the stage as to how the rest of the album takes form, a slower riff that carries you into a powerful chorus and brings you out the other side thirsting for more. "Vanguards of the Void" has a classic pull-off intro but then takes a left turn with it's mega heaviness and weight of the world beat. Truly a masterful doom piece worthy of the great temple of doom itself. "Armida's kiss" produces a little more of an up lifting tempo with a real headbanging momentum. It's a steady piece that works it's way through a great story of lyrics. Now these next 2 songs "The Sage" and " Dies Irae (Day of Wrath) with their calm and yet powerful emotion are maybe some of the heaviest material the band have done. Perhaps only Atlas himself could lift the might of these tunes. These songs all just seem to have a great purpose, a sense of direction and fulfillment. The last song "Metatron and the Mibor Mythos" starts with a mean and bombastic riff building the walls of what is an epic masterpiece. My words can do no justice for these songs as they are without doubt larger than life. They are visions of faith and idea, brought together in a common design. These songs sweep through layers of riffs and melodies conjuring stories that in themselves complete the lyrics. The vocals get the very most out of every second, every pronunciation and lay way for the theatrical imprints. Somewhat unorthodox in delivery but also the very essence of their unique sound. Forsaken have creatively stepped up a level; as song writers they have matured greatly and speak with great understanding conveying the music into emotion so that you can envision the story as it unfolds ... this is the definition of EPIC. It's as if they wrote these songs especially for myself, though realistically they managed to capture the same thoughts and feeling that many of us will identify with.

For fans of Epic Doom; this album should be a staple, a cornerstone to define the genre. This album lies somewhere between Sabbath Blood Sabbath and Mob Rules on the scale of doom metal greats. Do not take this as if it's a copy of sorts because it's not ... From the first moment of Aidenn Falls you can hear the signature sound of Forsaken. Know that this is a band inspired by the very best of doom but shine bright with their own soul and identity. The drum work of Simon Gatt is some of the best I've ever heard and really provides the platform for the bass lines and battle riffs of Albert Bell, the gritty and ponderous riffs of Sean Vukovie not to mention the digging deep and pulling out the last drop of each note as if it were a voice trying to sing, shred fest of solos. These are songs to be chanted and sung among the masses spread across the fields. Each member have produced their best work to date, each perform with conviction and soul while keeping true to the vibe of the song. These are not pieces of music thrown together, but songs written with a beginning a middle and an end that temper you, feed you, give you a dramatic story, build momentum and then climax. After The Fall is a Paragon of epic doom and will become a cult classic and one day lead us to salvation. This has been an enjoyable disc from start to finish many times over and will continue to see rotation in my CD player. Hope every one gives it a chance at some time or another.

WWW.FORSAKENMALTA.COM (official website)

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/FORSAKENMALTA (official myspace)

WWW.IHATE.SE (record label)

WWW.TEMPLESTUDIOS.COM