REVIEWS
Posted October 15, 2007
LOUDSIDE.COM REVIEW OF "DAWN OF A NEW AGE"
BY: ANTHONY
This sounds like Children Of Bodom, Three Mile Scream, and a number of other bands that Fall Of Eden note as influences. There is also a definite Iron Maiden feel to their underlying driving rhythms, and the fact that they have three guitarists....well, that simply leads to the assumption that, chances are, Maiden is a huge influence. The lead guitar work is extremely well executed, and once again brings to mind Iron Maiden, as well as numerous swedish melodic death metal bands.
Vocally, the band exhibits a good range, from blackened screams to solid cleans and a few death growls thrown in here and there for good meausre. But it's easy to see that the main emphasis of their songwriting is to focus on the music. From death to black to modern thrash, they cover the bases pretty well. Middle Eastern sounds show up as well, and their acoustic interludes and full on "acoustrumental" tracks are downright amazing!!
The band steps things up a notch after the halfway point of the album, with less of a Bodom feel to them, and leaning more toward the likes of Into Eternity. There's more complexity to the song structures, and the instrumentation is more technical as well. 'Dawn Of A New Age' is the type of album that you would expect to hear from a band that's ten times more seasoned than Fall Of Eden. It's a wonder that a worthwhile label hasn't snatched these guys up yet........
Bottom Line:
Fall Of Eden are definitely putting out some high quality metal here, and it's rather unfortunate that bands of a lesser caliber get signed all the time, while bands like this get left by the wayside because they're not "commercial" enough. Ultimately, it's more respectable to stick to your guns than to change up for the sake of sales. And while there may not be tons of money in maintaining artistic integrity, it definitely does help to separates the worthless piece of shit bands who are only out to make a buck from the artists/bands who are true to themselves and do it for the sake of the music and what it means to them.
If you're a fan of any kind of tech. metal, or if you just like to hear some extremely well crafted metal, Fall Of Eden deserves your time and attention..
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ADRENALIN FANZINE REVIEW OF "DAWN OF A NEW AGE"
BY: TAYLOR
Fall Of Eden has no shortness of melody and catchy integrated riffs to latch onto. In their biography they reference Iron Maiden, which I can see in their guitar phrasing, but I can see a stronger comparison to melodic death metal bands, Ablaze My Sorrow, old- Dark Tranquillity, and Sins Of Omission.
This Chicago based band has talent and strong musicianship, but it is shrouded by a poorly recorded album that leaves Fall Of Eden a little behind of their full potential.
This recording makes for a good demo, I hope though that Fall Of Eden takes the extra time and money to enter a quality studio to fill out their sound some more. I cant wait to hear more from this band, if they keep at it they will get the recognition they are looking for.
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BRUTALISM.COM REVIEW OF "DAWN OF A NEW AGE"
BY: Rick Hawkins
"Dawn Of A New Age" is the debut full length from Fall Of Eden, who actual fell from the Second City. Chicago Illinois. Very enjoyable release for these young upstarts. Influences such as Iron Maiden, Amon Amarath, and Mastadon can be heard through out this release. Harmonizing guitars, rhythmic, hard hitting drumming that keeps the songs going, a harsh, abusive vocal style, and to top it off...A group of musicians who paid more attention to writing catchy, exceptionally structured songs rather than grinding at a million miles an hour. Everyone keep an eye and ear out for Fall Of Eden. We will hear from them again on the next platue of there carrier.
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THE TLP SHOW [RADIO] REVIEW OF "DAWN OF A NEW AGE"
"Fall of Eden, Dawn of a New Age: When epic metal meets brutal hardcore." - Leo Cain
Songs for Rotational Consideration on the Brutal Backhand:
1. Crown of Thorns
2. Waste of Life
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WORMWOOD CHRONICLES REVIEW OF "DAWN OF A NEW AGE"
BY: DR. MALITY
Looking at the picture of Fall of Eden, I started to uncontrollably convulse, as they look more emo than emo and sport some of the most unfortunate attempts at facial hair I've ever seen. However, I think they would be better off wearing chainmail and helmets, as "Dawn of A New Age" is full of true medieval feeling. And no, I don't think it's that fake "ironic" shit, either...they seem to really be into what they're doing.
Youthful energy and ambition warms me up to this band despite their dire PR photo. There is a touch of metalcore to them, but really, the influences are more like Iron Maiden, Iced Earth and Dragonforce. The ratio of good riffs to bad is in their favor and occasionally they hit a REALLY impressive moment, like some of the "battle metal" riffs in the title track and "End Draws Near". Lead guitar soloing is also not too shabby, but the production in general lets them down and the drumming sounds weak throughout. What really gives "Dawn of A New Age" its notoriety, though, is the massive 15 minute plus final cut "Battle of the Gods". This is one of those "what the hell?" tunes that you will love or hate...a slow building instrumental combined with what sounds like out-takes from "Braveheart" or "Lord of the Rings". I was first amused by it, then bored, and then intrigued, as guitar solos and pace intensified. Then, at about the 10 minute mark, the cut hits a MONSTER riff of total majesty. You can actually envision ancient gods battling when this sucker kicks in. It takes a lot of balls for a young band to do something like this and I find Fall of Eden to have a lot of potential. More tightness in performance and songwriting and a really good production will turn these guys into real warriors!
Definitely keep an eye out for Fall of Ede.
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JEN'S METAL PAGE REVIEW OF "DAWN OF A NEW AGE"
I received Fall of Eden's first full length album just recently. They have been playing together, going through and adding members since 2001 and this release was put out by Sonic Wave International. Not bad for a first album at all. They remind me of the Shadows Fall and All that Remains genre. They are a metal band and a great one. They have the dual singers, one with the metal Lamb of God vocals and the other with the soft, well rehearsed vocals. The interesting thing about these guys though, they have 3 guitar players. I haven't seen too many bands with this, let along be able to pull it off. But these guys do and they do it well. I really think it gives them the extra heavy edge. I'm a fan of their sound, especially the drums. He is pretty fast with the double bass and I just love when I'm able to hear that in music. I'm looking forward to hearing more releases from them.
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INDIE MUSIC STOPREVIEW OF"DAWN OF A NEW AGE"
BY: C.W. ROSS
Formed in 2001, Fall of Eden is made up of a group of guys that weren't even born when metal music was in its heyday in the 1970's and 1980's. That hasn't stopped the band from putting out Dawn of a New Age, their debut full-length release, which is overflowing with the metal sound.
The band, based out of the Chicago area, features triple guitars that create a sound reminiscent of metal masters Iron Maiden.
While the band does have the metal music crunchy guitars sound down, they also take the chance to add some more melodic parts to several of the songs found on Dawn of a New Age. One example of the band's softer side is "Valhalla," an unplugged instrumental song.
The release wraps up with the epic 15-minute long song, "Battle of the Gods." This track is also an instrumental that features rattling chains, and what sounds like torturous other sounds.
This song was just a little too long for me. I really liked it up to about the 12-minute mark, then my mind shifted to the feeling, is this song ever going to end?
Other than that, I thought that the rest of the CD was well done. The triple guitar threat built upon really solid bass parts along with drumbeats that direct the flow of the songs.
Who knows, maybe these guys can start a new movement to get metal music back in the bright spotlight that it deserves. And keep an eye out for the band in your town, as they get ready to hit the road on tour.
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Reviews from Heavycore.net
Fall of Eden - Dawn of A New Age (review by Pete)
When I opened up this packet from Fall of Eden I didn't really know what to expect. What I saw was a very impressive new CD called "Dawn of A New Age" with 11 well produced tracks, a very kick ass art layout and insert complete with lyrics. In addition, they tossed in a bio and photo, something most bands seem to forget are essential when submitting materials to magazines, radio, labels, or whoever. These guys have it together and the amazing thing - they're all under the age of 19! These Chicago-based bangers have a future if they can persevere the bullshit life throws at struggling young bands! I hope they stick to it.
The guitar work is strong and really keeps the band heavy as hell when they want to be. Steve Howe and Taylor Cooper tag team on the axe duties and do a great job as they toss in some cool old school metal harmonies that bring back memories of Iron Maiden when I was 15 years old. They also do solos, something a lot of the young bands today know nothing about. Taylor also provides some of the vocals, while Steve also plays some keyboards at well-chosen spots. The CD opens up with a great piano piece that gives the band a real polished side to counteract their wickedly heavy style of metal. Ray Knoebel does a great job behind the drums as he blasts along with the best of them, but keeps things simplified when they need to be. He's also got some blazing quick feet and shows it off in songs like "Crown of Thorns". Bass player Russ Knoebel thunders along with the guitar players, but knows how to keep that bottom end pounding hard. He also does some vocals - and together with Taylor Cooper they really mix things up nicely. I heard glimpses of The Black Dahlia Murder with the vocals, but then they take a sharp turn to the left or right and give you a whole different look.
I thought the song "Waste of Life" was my favorite, but I really dug the whole thing. Thee song writing is amazingly mature for such a young band. I thought the whole CD was great and I think these guys have only metal treasures in their future. Check them out onilne at www.fallofedenrock.com
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Fall of Eden - Dawn of A New Age (review by Matt)
When you start listening to these guys you would never know they were all under 20 years old. Fall of Eden started in late 2001 and it definitely sound like they found their sound. I have not heard anything before Dawn of A New Age but it is a CD that is worth listening to a few times. I heard something new each time I listened to it.
Fall of Eden mixes triple; yes I said triple as in 3; guitar work with both melodic and heavy vocals. Their drummer and bass player lay a good foundation for the guitars to go off and do their thing and having a 3rd guitar keeps their sound thick when two guitars are riffing off each other. I can hear a bunch of influences in their music but they definitely do not just follow the trends like most bands out there. The vocals are a good blend without leaning to heavy to either side of the spectrum.
This entire CD is good, but being a bass player, I really dug the title track Dawn of A New Age. It started with bass and drums which is something I like to hear every once in a while and I feel a lot of bands don't do that. Plus the guitars and vocals in this song put it over the top. I would suggest supporting this band and checking them out live and picking up this CD.
