The progressive/technical death metal veterans are back with their 6 full-length album. This one touches on some of their past work but still strongly pushes forward with new nuances that may bring new audiences.
The core Fallujah sound remains but they have meticulously condensed the song length averages while being more prog somehow as well. They bring the absolute darkness and pummeling heaviness of Dreamless, the boldness and direct clean singing from Undying Light, and the insanely diverse shred through exotic modes that was displayed on the Nomadic EP.
Fresh aspects of this album would be the honing in on dynamics in song writing in general. Along with more clean singing that showcases multiple hooks within each song. But Kyle Schaefer’s low and high screams are powerful as ever as well.
Comparing their other albums The Flesh Prevails and Empyrean where it was more so one central theme in soundscape; Xenotaph on the other hand is a collection of individual bangers that get right to the point for the most part.
Their heaviest track “The Obsidian Architect” is filled with groove, uneasy sci-fi mutant vibes, and bleakness. A mind-boggling part of this song is how dark the guitars are chugging in a breakdown-esque style and then once 1 minute 35 seconds hits, the guitar phrasing is extremely melodic in between the lines. The contrast is completely killer.
The album opener “In Stars We Drown” is the most cinematic of the album with tasteful electronic programming, heartfelt guitar leads, huge chords, and progy drum fills. Often times Fallujah’s album openers hold their own light. It always seems like a fragment of what the album is but so much is being said in such a short amount of time, making you want to play it over and over again.
“The Crystalline Veil” seemed to be the biggest grower of the songs. It is the most diverse in guitar riff styles and has a ton of vocal melodies that stick. The singles “Kaleidoscopic Waves”, “Labyrinth of Stone”, and “Step Through the Portal and Breathe” were all really strong numbers that were the perfect examples showing the new levels the band has gone.
The most special track of them all would have to be the last track which is the album title “Xenotaph”. There is a main riff that repeats and gives off Decapitated vibes but in a gigantic atmospheric direction. Epic tempos and other fast strumming chord parts, makes the song traverse further and further. The insane articulate fills and blasting from their new drummer Kevin Alexander at the 2:58 min. mark is jaw dropping.
Towards the end of the song, it slows down for a little with a clean guitar riff that sets a meditative tone with more ethereal layers accompanying. And then leads back to the persistent double bass tempos that resonate for a while until fading out and then into multi layered vocoder-like harmonies.
Before hearing this album, a die-hard Fallujah fan might think past drummer Andrew Baird’s shoes could not be filled. But Alexander’s precision and depth to his own playing filled his shoes in his own way in this song. Alexander’s playing overall through the album is unique as well and the talent is relentless.
Another member whose playing is showcased on the new record is guitarist Sam Mooradian as well. His fast unorthodox solo runs and input to the song writing adds more flavors to the band and accompanies Scott Carstairs’ sound cohesively.
The future for Fallujah is bright and they keep pushing the envelope for prog/technical death metal specifically. But they will be gaining music fans in general with this one because their song writing skills have become encompassing and memorable to the ear first listen. You can purchase Xenotaph today, June 13th through Nuclear Blast Records.
Order Xenotaph:– Here
Score: 8.8 out of 10
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Tom Sundgren
Capital Chaos TV 
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