“I feel, I feel the fear again.”
2023 has seen progressive metalcore outfit In Fear emerge from the depths with the release cycle of their debut full-length, All Is. All Shall Be. The Bristol-based band have had an impressive repertoire so far, but they have recently been catching the attention of a wider audience since recruiting vocalist Haydn Connolly. (That includes us, by the way. Check out the full feature.) While the entirety of All Is. All Shall Be is being released single by single, let us examine the record in its entirety.
A major strength that is present throughout is none other than the powerful vocals contributed by Connolly, as he is given the space to utilize his impressive range. From menacing deathcore lows to soaring, impactful belting, the man has some of the most extensive range I have heard in a long time. It is no doubt fate that the band met him in, of all places, a game of Call of Duty: Warzone.
To feel the extent of Connolly’s versatility, look no further than “The Blinding White”; springing an unexpected guttural as the track drops into a breakdown, it leaves the listener equal parts impressed and flabbergasted. As he belts the chorus, one would be forgiven in thinking that there were two vocalists in the band. Later in the album, he demonstrates another side on “Rest”, a slower, more melodic track where his vocals are reminiscent of Thornhill’s Jacob Charlton. He completely contrasts this on later tracks “Virtue & Regret” and “Doom Sequence”, with high shrieks that give off a scent of black metal.
That isn’t to say that the instrumentals do not match up. Riding the line of gentle atmosphere and crushing heaviness, the composition is a launching pad for each song. The guitar tones and drum sound are undoubtedly familiar to this style, but In Fear use the hallmarks of this sound to create an emotional atmosphere. Open, ambient passages amidst the more technical moments stop the album from being an overwhelming barrage of sounds, showing an attention to detail that is definitely appreciated.
Contrasted with the flurries of downtuned chugs and dissonance present on tracks like “Tracing My Skin”, the album has a variety of opposing sounds. For instance, the band matches Connolly‘s black metal-esque vocals with powerful blast beats and menacing guitar melodies, heard on tracks like “Narrow Gate”. The intricacies to the instrumentals leave the listener well rewarded on each listen. Powerhouse producer George Lever‘s (Sleep Token, Loathe, Monuments) signature style is a perfect fit for the gloomy feel of the album, bringing this sound to life.
Looking at All Is. All Shall Be from start to finish, it is a satisfying listen. The track arrangement is clearly purposeful and considered, preventing the record from feeling like a collection of singles (even if it is technically). A despondent mood is introduced from the start, and the aggressive moments help to further a sense of helplessness that is well conveyed. The album also takes a melancholic mood shift in the middle, before launching back into the heaviness harder than before. It eventually ends on a more balanced note, perfectly encapsulating a feeling of desperation in the sound.
Unmistakably, All Is. All Shall Be is an exciting record. The band has clearly taken their time to craft something that is highly nuanced and complex, without being overbearing at any moment. The balance of purposeful heaviness and ethereal atmosphere gives the album a sense of completeness. In our feature with the band, they discussed the uncertainty of the band’s lineup and the challenges of writing this album with a new vocalist, but no trace of hesitation remains on the final product. It is cohesive, polished, meaningful. I can definitely say that they have accomplished what they set out to do.
In a sea of new releases that can often become overwhelming or mundane, this is an album that stands out with character. In Fear have created an album that they can and should be proud of, and it is definitely a highlight of the year so far.
9/10
All Is. All Shall Be releases May 5th via Year Of The Rat Records, and you can pre-order it here. For more information, be sure to check out our interview with the band.