Witherfall - Sounds of the Forgotten
• album review •

Witherfall burst onto the metal scene in 2017 with their dramatic debut Nocturnes and Requiems, capturing the attention of many with their blend of nostalgic and modern metal elements. The Los Angeles-based band, featuring Joseph Michael (vocals, ex-White Wizzard), Jake Dreyer (guitar, ex-White Wizzard), and Anthony Crawford (bass), has evolved their sound over the years, incorporating progressive elements and intricate musicality. Their latest release, Sounds of the Forgotten, continues this trend, offering a mix of aggressive riffs, melodic interludes, and ambitious songwriting. However, the album's ambitious nature sometimes disrupts its flow, making for a challenging but ultimately rewarding listen.

Diving into the Album

Sounds of the Forgotten opens with "They Will Let You Down," a track that immediately showcases Witherfall’s signature blend of thrash and progressive metal. The song’s aggressive riffing and Joseph Michael’s dynamic vocals set a powerful tone. Mid-album highlight "Insidious" carries this energy forward with brooding verses and an intense, horrifying bridge, displaying the band's ability to craft compelling, dark atmospheres.

Guitarist Jake Dreyer and bassist Anthony Crawford shine throughout the album, their technical prowess evident in every track. Dreyer’s neoclassical influences and Crawford’s intricate bass lines create a rich tapestry of sound, particularly on tracks like "Ceremony of Fire" and "What Have You Done?". The latter, an epic closer, spans over ten minutes and showcases the band's progressive inclinations, complete with vivid synth and organ layers provided by new keyboardist Gerry Hirshfeld.

The Ballad Conundrum

Despite the album's strengths, Sounds of the Forgotten is interspersed with ballads that sometimes interrupt the flow of the album. "Where Do I Begin" and "When It All Falls Away" showcase a softer side of Witherfall, but their placement feels jarring amidst the heavier tracks. These ballads, while beautifully crafted, often disrupt the album's pacing and momentum.

The title track, "Sounds of the Forgotten," is strategically placed between longer, more complex songs, creating a disjointed listening experience. While this approach might aim for a broader appeal, it detracts from the album's cohesion. However, the later ballad "When It All Falls Away" manages to reignite the album's intensity with its harmonic bass intro and emotive crescendo, followed by the eerie interlude "Opulent" that sets the stage for the closing track.

A Mixed Yet Intriguing Effort

Sounds of the Forgotten is a testament to Witherfall’s talent and ambition. The band continues to push their musical boundaries, blending technical skill with emotional depth. However, the album's occasional missteps, particularly the over-reliance on ballads and interludes, prevent it from achieving the seamless experience of their debut.

Each Witherfall release is eagerly anticipated, and Sounds of the Forgotten is no exception. While it may not surpass the initial impact of Nocturnes and Requiems, it offers enough moments of brilliance to keep fans engaged. With a bit more refinement and focus, Witherfall could craft an album that perfectly balances their theatrical flair with their metal roots. Until then, Sounds of the Forgotten remains a complex, occasionally disjointed, but ultimately rewarding journey through the band’s evolving sound.