I’ve noticed a bit of trend in hardcore/metalcore/American metal of late; First, some really good clean vocalist are starting to surface in these acts and second some bands seem to be injecting true blue progressive metal into their sound. Not just piecemeal stuff or even scatter shot BTBAM styled stuff, but actual, structured, epic and ambitious injections to their hardcore/thrash base. Bands like Odium, (Sic)Monic, Jonin, Across the Sun, Dioramic, and Washington DC’s Fallen Martyr are such acts and they seem to be adding to the metalcore/melodic death metal foundation laid by the likes of Killswitch Engage, All That Remains and such by introducing a real sense of accomplished, progressive prose and musicianship.

Fronted by the more than ample vocals of Ryan Rawlings who delivers a high octane power /heavy metal croon amid his metalcore rasps, and lots of sweeping keyboards, this young act have all sorts of ability and promise. If forced I’d say they compared to the likes of Into Eternity and Dream Theater with a metalcore base, and the lengthy 5 songs (plus one interlude) on this effort is any indication they should get some labels sniffing around real soon.

To their credit, Fallen Martyr mange to mix everything seamlessly and each song comes across as a separate memorable entity even with all the elements vying for your attention. Opener “Like a Sinking Feeling” transitions smoothly from raging blast beats to silky smooth chorus and some rangy, exquisite guitar work all the way through including bridge at 4:10 that’s almost power metal. It’s a great opening track. “Reverse Metamorposis” has the same formula with arguably an even more urgent pace and closes with just a superbly epic few moments. “Mr. M” and initially blistering “All In”  are more varied, complex numbers that introduces death metal growls and some slower proggy segments before “Scars of Disassociation” finally allows some down time.

Closer “The Man Becomes the Prophet” opens with a nice synth laden breakdown before some traditional heavy metal solo work and some nice clean, proggy tangents, and when rounded out with a professional production, skilled musicians bursting with confidence, cements Fallen Martyr as one of the more promising and talented American metal acts I’ve heard in a while. Look for then to get snatched up by a label, soon but as we saw in 2009, great new bands don’t always get records deals.

[Visit the band's website]

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