Since their debut in 2021, fallfiftyfeet have been one of the modern metalcore scene’s best-kept secrets. Often ahead of the curve yet frustratingly overlooked, the band has quietly built a catalog of some of the genre’s most solid offerings. But it wasn’t until 2024’s split with Wounded Touch, Traumatic Entanglement, that they began to break through the static. Now, with their latest album Counterfeit Recollections, they sound determined to change the narrative, sharpening their craft and finally demanding the recognition they’ve long deserved.
From the first singles dropped during the album’s rollout, it was clear that fallfiftyfeet weren’t here to play it safe. Nowhere is that more evident than on “The Kingsport Curse”, a blunt-force anthem packed with venomous lyricism and punishing instrumentation. The band unleashes wave after wave of oppressive sound, underscored by cutting lines like, “I want to see you choke on the hope that you dangled in front of me.” It’s a moment that feels not just personal, but pointed, a possible middle finger to an industry that has yet to fully wake up to their potential. The earlier nod to Bill Hicks on the intro sample of opener “Obituaries” leans further into this sentiment that is shown across Counterfeit Recollections.
Yet Counterfeit Recollections is far from a one-note outburst. Tracks like the title track and “Best Revenge” showcase the band’s impressive versatility, leaning more heavily into post-hardcore textures without sacrificing emotional or lyrical weight. These shifts help the album stay dynamic and cohesive, maintaining its intensity even when the sonics pull back. “Phantom Growing Pains” stands out in particular, weaving seamlessly between crushing heaviness, quieter introspection, and even a brief but beautifully executed acoustic break.
Still, for all its strengths, the album isn’t without minor flaws. While fallfiftyfeet clearly put thought into connecting tracks through transitions, there are moments where the effort feels a bit clumsy. The shift from “Running from the Sky” into “Best Revenge”, for example, where a quiet hum abruptly gives way to a jarringly different guitar tone, interrupts the otherwise strong momentum. It’s a small gripe, but with the upcoming vinyl release via Silverback Gorilla Records, it’s something worth considering for the full-album listening experience.
The ending strecht however is deeply impressive, as “Still Collide” showcases The Dillinger Escape plan heavy melodies that are done so well across Counterfeit Recollections. “Bane of My Existence” offers up one of the most memorable moments. As it’s spite filled lines of “So many years looking out for a fraud” are delivered with sheer venom from fallfiftyfeet themselves, before a combination of features from Pittsburgh hardcore unit PRINCESS and the ever-superb 156/Silence join the fray. The introspective “For the Sake of Completion“, calls in AJ Tarto of buriedbutstillbreathing. While a less than explosive feature than those before, it further adds to the internal rage of the track as it reflects “I’ve finally drowned in, the endlessness of my pain” before it bursts out into heavier instrumentals.
Despite these occasional stumbles, Counterfeit Recollections is an album that begs for repeat spins. They’ve taken a familiar sound and put their own touch and personaility on it, while undoubtedly cementing fallfiftyfeet’s status as one of metalcore’s most exciting and consistent rising acts, standing proudly alongside contemporaries like Better Lovers and Voices in Vain. A tremendous amount of heart and precision went into crafting this record, and if one thing is clear, it’s this: fallfiftyfeet are no longer asking for your attention – they’re taking it.
8/10
Counterfeit Recollections releases on the 2nd of May via independent release on Bandcamp, with vinyl available through Silverback Gorilla Records.