“Who are we to judge if we lack the insight to really see ourselves?”
Long-time underdogs of the metalcore and post-hardcore scene, Portland’s Fallstar have an extensive discography and significant history. Formed in 2007, the band have always strived to create a sound unique to them. This was especially true on their previous outing, Sunbreather, an eclectic record drawing from various influences, from the heavier genres that form the core of their sound to elements of rap and electronic that helped them to stand out. Their latest offering, Sacred Mirrors, aims to expand on that sound and refine it.
Fallstar’s sound has generally channelled a 2010s post hardcore-type sound, with familiar chugs and open chords leading most tracks. There is, naturally, a focus on melodic choruses, which creates an accessible and familiar sound, at the risk of at times feeling dated. This melodic side to the band is merely one section of the big picture, however. Vocalist Chris Ratzlaff is impressively versatile, able to switch gears into heavier, sometimes almost deathcore-inspired vocals. The band are able to match, creating for tracks with interesting contrasts. “Timebender & The Jet Engine” is a good display of this range, delivering some satisfying heft throughout the track. “Doomsayer” lays more on the heavier end, delivering a scream-sung chorus that contrasts all the tracks before it. In essence, this captures Fallstar’s bread and butter: melodic tracks with a heavy twist.
“xSCARZx” is jam packed with a lot of the elements that the band bring to the table, with electronics serving as a foundation for all the other hallmarks of their sound. Ratzlaff sounds quite menacing on this track with its screamed verses, driving the track in a fun direction.
The album hits some of its heaviest strides with “Eternal Engine (Die Up)”, utilizing impactful downtuned guitars to provide an effective contrast with the more rap-focused vocals in the verses. The track strays from the band’s usual melodic tendencies, and climaxes in a surprisingly crushing breakdown, with some high screams from Ratzlaff sounding very deathcore-esque. This trend follows on the next track, “The Persistence of Light”, which picks up where “Eternal Engine (Die Up)” left off right in the first verse; high-speed kicks and chugs paired with layered screams provide a satisfying punch. This extends to “Savior Self” as well, with more deathcore-tinged moments making their mark. Fallstar really bring their impressive skillset to these three consecutive tracks, and they are undoubtedly a standout run of the album.
It is unfortunate that Sacred Mirrors has some tracks that feel underwhelming compared to these peaks, for there are truly flashes of brilliance across the album. While not bad songs in isolation, they feel rather status quo for a band that has showcased undeniable talent. Tracks such as “Crooks & The Damned” and “Dischordia” fall into this category of relatively tame tracks (although the former does include a fun feature from Austin Visser of The Undertaking!)
The album ends on “Water House”, returning the album to a more melodic and emotional setting. It is an effective closer, with its reflective tone matching most of the lyrical content of the album, which mainly touches on the topic of finding oneself through hardship.
One of Fallstar’s goals with this album was to refine the sound the band introduced on Sunbreather, and in many ways they have succeeded. Sacred Mirrors feels more consistent, and it does build on that new chapter of their sound. However, at points it can feel too refined, with some tracks falling victim to their evident formula. The album has fewer standout moments than before, and it could have benefitted from a bit more unpredictability, but it is a step up in terms of overall craftsmanship. The heights that it does achieve are still laudable and enjoyable. With Sacred Mirrors, Fallstar offer an album that is very fun despite tackling some serious themes, and hopefully it is a launching pad for the band to display more of their skillset.
7.5/10
Sacred Mirrors releases on July 14th via Facedown Records, and you can pre-order the album here.