In what is easily one of 2019's early 'biggest disappointments', we have here the brand new Nuclear Blast release from progressive death metal outfit Fallujah, Undying Light. Lead singer Alex Hofmann is gone, his deep death metal growls replaced by new vocalist Antonio Palermo and his maniacal metalcore/melo-death shrieking. In addition to the jarring change to the vocal department, much of the 'progressive' elements of past releases, the bubbling electronica, the atmospheric soundscapes, and the complex arrangements are gone, replaced by more standard melodic death metal trappings. "Dopamine" has some nice moments, with occasional clean vocals dropped into moody passages, and "The Ocean Above" also swirls around with hazy atmospherics amid the pounding metal riffs. It's not until "Sanctuary" late in the track list that the complex progressive death metal side of Fallujah comes out to play, the drums rumbling underneath some intricate riffing from Scott Carstairs. "Distant and Cold" is another strong piece, thankfully free from Palermo's screaming, awash in lush guitars and dreamy clean vocals. Album closer "Departure" is perhaps the most brutal track on the album, chugging guitars and blast beats flying about the mix in violent fashion.
Bottom line is, Undying Light sounds like a completely different band, and I can't remember the last time a change in vocalist created such a jarring result. As of yet, four listens in, I still haven't yet come to grips with this or gotten used to Antonio Palermo's metalcore style within the confines of this band, and the overt prog leanings of past albums is sorely missed. You mileage may vary, but be warned, this isn't the Fallujah you remembered from just a few short years ago.
Track Listing
1 Glass House 4:04
2 Last Light 4:34
3 Ultraviolet 3:20
4 Dopamine 5:27
5 The Ocean Above 4:48
6 Hollow 4:37
7 Sanctuary 4:23
8 Eyes Like The Sun 4:42
9 Distant And Cold 4:03
10 Departure 4:56
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