Review Summary: In Fear and Faith refine their previous sound while incorporating new elements on their first full length album.
In Fear and Faith's debut EP was a post hardcore record that featured good vocals, both clean and screamed, winding guitars, plenty of double bass and a backing keyboard and synth. Many bands attempt this sound, but In Fear and Faith was able to perfect it while adding their own personal touch. The backing keyboards and the pirate themed lyrics, most notably in There Be Pirates Among These Seas, along with the traditional post hardcore elements made for an "epic" sound.
After they released Voyage, they put a song titled The End up on their Myspace, which was similar in style to the songs found on their EP. Time passed, and in the efforts to promote their album, they put up Pirates the Sequel and Your World on Fire. Right away, you could tell that their style had shifted. The post hardcore elements of their debut remained, but there were also trace elements of metalcore, most notably breakdowns, which enhanced their overall sound. Pirates the Sequel is the, uh, sequel to the previously mentioned There Be Pirates Among These Seas. Right away, you can tell that the band has tightened up its sound. The guitar work has taken a step up in both quality and emphasis, replacing the keyboard as a driving force behind the songs. The keyboard has taken the backseat on this album, providing a basis for the sound, rather than the sound itself. Still, the keyboard line of There Be Pirates is found in the middle of this song, providing a link between old and new. The lyrics found in this song are similar to the ones found in the previous song, strengthening that connection to their previous album. The screamed vocals are identical to the ones found on their EP and, yes, that is a good thing.
Your World on Fire displays the band's new listenablity (thanks Bud Light). Their sound is now a lot more accessible, while retaining much of the bands previous sound. A breakdown is found right off the bat, showcasing their new metalcore element. Breakdowns are included in the song, and the album, but only in a few instances and where appropriate. The chorus showcases the bands new clean vocalist, who generally sings in a lower pitch than their old, but still possesses a decent range. Even at these lower pitches, he is able to maintain a melodic sound. The drummer does not rely on double bass on this song, and album, instead using a variety of techniques to set the tempo.
The album features five other original songs, including a re-mastered version of The End, that display In Fear and Faith's new sound. The Road to Hell is Paved With Good Intentions is a solid song that features one of the most unnecessary guest vocals of all time, simply because the guest, Craig Owens of Chiodos, sounds so similar to the band’s vocalist, making it hard to identify where exactly he is included in the song. Relapse Collapse is the "ballad" of the album, featuring a relaxed tempo and a decreased volume. Strength in Numbers is a song about haters, which, while musically fine, annoys me because of the lyrics that seem clichéd and overused.
Also on the album is an introduction, which is absolutely useless, and two songs off their EP, The Taste of Regret and Live Love Die. If you have their EP, I would not recommend buying these, if you are shopping iTunes, unless you really enjoy the new mixes, which did not wow me at all. If you do not own their EP, I recommend you get it, because their previous material is very good.
On this album, In Fear and Faith is able to refine its previous post hardcore sound, while including new metalcore elements. This is a great album that shows great potential for this rising band.
Recommend Tracks:
Your World on Fire
Pirate The Sequel
The End
