Metalcore, melodic hardcore, screamcore, scenecore, or whatever other label you would like to place upon Blessthefall, is a particularly peculiar genre. The industry is flooded with bands of varying quality following a similar formula with a small number of variations.
On ‘The Awakening’, Blessthefall have chosen to walk the line, delivering an almost statutory number of breakdowns, uncontroversial and angst-filled lyrics, and regular shifts between screams and clean vocals. Not one of these elements is executed badly, nor does the structure feel unbalanced as can often be the case on similar releases, however there is not anything special to grab the listener’s attention throughout the twelve track LP.
Lead single ‘Promised Ones’ may best indicate the composition of ‘The Awakening’, flowing from screams to melody with all the grace that would be expected from the reasonably established quintet. It also introduces the listener to Blessthefall‘s experimentation with electronic sounds, although this is not necessarily implemented to the full effects demonstrated by leaders within the genre. In addition ‘The Awakening’ is hindered by surprisingly unpolished vocals, particularly on ‘Undeafeted’; perhaps one of the poorer songs of the album.
‘The Awakening’ has all of the components of a great metalcore LP, yet Blessthefall seem unable to find their feet within the genre. The album fails to do anything more than provide a satisfactory listen; remaining unchallenging and unexciting. With so many promising bands emerging in recent years, Blessthefall may have to focus on developing their sound to avoid being lost in this increasingly oversaturated scene.
BEN TIPPLE