Stars Are Falling
The Consequence of Revenge
6.9
Synopsis:
While on its surface, everything about this release made me cringe (the label, the moniker, the hardcore/emo stylings, the album name, the press shots, etc), The Consequence of Revenge actually turned out to be an okay album.
Review:
What we have here is a band mixing the burly hardcore of Hatebreed, Bury Your Dead, Death Before Dishonor etc, and giving it some Christian and emo melody and prose. I know--on paper the mix is gag inducing, but realistically, Sacramento’s Stars Are Falling pull it of with an honest mix of hefty, throaty hardcore/metalcore without the tough guy stance and in its place a heartfelt emo and religious conviction.
So basically if Jesus Wept mixed with Hatebreed and Victory Records’ emo/punk roster (i.e With Honor), you might have some idea as to what these 11 bursts of stoutly produced rumbling, yet graceful tunes sound like. Lovecore?, Softcore? Not so hardcore? Touchyfeely core? Clichecore? I dunno, but whatever it is, its not too awful bad. Stout rumbling riffs and power chords mix with acceptably catchy and commercial moments of vocal clarity and gang chants, as heard on enjoyably competent tracks like “Our Father”, “Arizona Will Never Be The Same”, “The Challenge”, “Dawn of A New Day” “This Road Never Ends” and “A Four Letter Lesson in Letdowns”. The breakdowns are decently heavy and delivered with a pretty burly production, and more graceful moments, such as the album standout “Eva”, still manage to resonate with a heavier vibe throughout, despite the cleaner overall approach.
Despite the cliche ridden material and delivery, I’ll be truthful, the album felt ‘honest’ and you don’t get the sense that Stars Are Falling are trying ‘too’ hard to be stars or make it big, they just seem to be playing music they like and praising their chosen belief, without too much heavy handedness.
Although not an album I’ll be listening to regularly, the fact I never skipped a track when one started on my ipod in random must does though speak volumes.
