Released: Jun 26, 2012
Genre: Metalcore, Post-Hardcore, Southern Metal
Label: Rise Records
Number Of Tracks: 11
Memphis May Fire is back with their third full length album, "Challenger". This album is another metalcore release but it is in the upper echelons of the scene.
Challenger
Reviewed by:
zef0214, on june 29, 2012 5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Sound: Metalcore is often criticized for its generic sound and lack of originality, but who ever said that things tried and true still couldn't be used? Memphis May Fire's 3rd full-length entitled "Challenger" is nothing you have not heard in some way shape or form but it succeeds. The overall production is great I must add, as a generalization I would say that most metal core albums have a clear focus on the drums, guitar, and vocals but the album sounds very crisp and nothing is left unheard. Although I must add that sometimes it can sound like mush in the moments where all the instruments are playing cohesively especially parts with synth or programmed parts. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: Lyrics. Oh the lyrics. They are cliche and you have most likely heard something similar a thousand times but I do like them. They range from the usual topics of heartbreak, rage, missing your girl, and fake people but on this album I feel like the story is the same but the delivery is remarkable. In a personal favorite off the record, "Alive In The Lights", the lyrics basically convey how the writer knew and dreamt that he wanted to tour the country playing his music for the masses and how another person thought he was insane for picking such an unstable option. At first the singer, Matty Mullins, seems like he is telling that person "I told you I could do it," to an enraged man fed up with people telling him he couldn't. You can really feel it in his screams and cleans. Speaking of singing Matty Mullins, absolutely kills it on this album, in a good way. His cleans are clean and his screams are intense and full of emotion. I commend you Mr. Mullins. // 9
Impression: This album is another metalcore release but it is in the upper echelons of the scene. The whole band is firing on all cylinders and they are on point as a whole. Chock full of breakdowns and complex guitar riffs, this album is a blast to listen to and has you head banging at it's highs and ready to rage during its moments of fury. I would say that most of this album is very solid and has very few weak links but the songs that stand out to me are, "Alive In The Lights", "Prove Me Right", "Vices", and "Red In Tooth & Claw". Even the very cliche minute and a half opener, "Without Walls" is a stunner and a kick a-s way to start off a kick a-s record. // 9
Challenger
Reviewed by:
Xp0sVoLc0mX, on june 29, 2012 2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Sound: Memphis May Fire is back with their third full length album, "Challenger". One of the first impressions I got off of this album is that it is a great mix of their previous two full length albums, "Sleepwalking" and "The Hollow". They step it up a notch with lower tuned guitars, deeper growls, and breakdowns. "Challenger" is a more personal album for Memphis May Fire, with songs such as "Miles Away" telling the story of lead singer Matty Mullins, his wife, and touring. It has only been a year since the release of their sophomore album, "The Hollow" but Memphis May Fire matures in almost every aspect with "Challenger".
01. "Without Walls" - A great intro song that is short but packs a mean punch. While the formula for this song is used a lot these days (Piano riff, followed by chanting, followed by heavy guitars), it excels in each of these variables to make a fantastic introductory song.
02. "Alive In The Lights" - This song makes sure that you don't try to take a breather after "Without Walls". It starts with a blast of heavy guitar, screams, and follows with a great mix of piano/heavy guitar that is very prominent in the rest of the album. Also has a great southern flair to that many fans of their older material will enjoy. This song goes up, down, up, down, and brings it right to the middle so you can catch your breath.
03. "Prove Me Right" - A powerful song that reflects the band's past issue with their previous label. Intermediate Guitar riffs with a great mix of clean vocals and scream vocals, this song is overall a great experience. The most noticeable thing about this song is the use of the bass guitar during the breakdowns.
04. "Red In Tooth & Claw" - This one is for the fans of their older material. A face melting southern riff followed by a hectic ensemble of guitar, screams, and drums. This song shows the power and skill of Matty Mullin's clean vocals. There is a hint of deeper growls from Matty that is a welcomed addition.
05. "Vices" - Swelling with an amazing guitar riff that skips strings and changes rhythm, the band wants you to know that this the headlining song of the album. I love the "crawling" riff right before the chug breakdown around 30 seconds into the song. Major kudos to the drums in this song. Be cautious about Matty's growl in this song, you might get knocked off your chair.
06. "Legacy" - My favorite song off the album. The intro riffs swells up and then you are smacked in the face with screams, drums, and guitar. This song has a great combo of piano + chug breakdowns + screams that makes is truly unique. Also who doesn't love the little emphasis of Egyptian sounding riffs in this song? This is also one of the most misleading songs off the album. It slows down with a slow but beautiful guitar riff and slow vocals only to hit you in the face with a pitch change growl and breakdown.
07. "Miles Away" - This song slows it down and lets you take a breather. It has a great southern guitar in the background while Matty beautiful sings about his relationship with his wife. A very personal song that will make you have major respect for what bands have to go through. Also Kellin Quinn's guest vocals are a great addition to the song.
08. "Jezebel" - Probably the most brutal lyrics out of the whole album. This song has a great mix of string skipping riffs, chugs with a piano in the background, and catchy verses. This song lets you know that Memphis May Fire add more substance and depth to their chugs. There are some parts of this song that I feel are out of place, but it's still a great hard song.
09. "Losing Sight" - Fans will recognize this song from their studio update (bass vocals, anyone?). Featuring Danny Worsnop from Asking Alexandria, this song tells the story for both singers in this song. It's a cool touch that shows you that the effort that went into making this album.
10. "Generation: Hate" - Matty slows down the Vocals for this song at the beginning but then follows with a breakdown reminiscing of "Been There, Done That" and adds a great clean vocals + chug chorus after. This song slows down to prepare for the last track of the album.
11. "Vessels" - Fully instrumental. Reminds me of "The Burden"... This song has a beautiful and quiet piano that plays out through the whole song. This is a great closure song that will let you reflect on the album and get you excited for what the future holds in store for Memphis May Fire. This song really hit me for some reason. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: "Challenger" relates more to the individuals of the band and their life stories. I related more to "The Hollow" but that was the primary purpose of the lyrics on that album. "The Hollow" focused more on experiences that everyone can relate to, while "Challenger" focuses more on experiences that everyone in the band can relate to. But regardless, the lyrics on this album can still reach out and reflect many listeners. My favorite line off the album has to be from "Without Walls" while simple, it packs a great punch and I can relate a lot to it. "The mistakes we made along the way. This is who we are! These are the roads We paved and now I've had enough of your judgement. You pass it so easily. If you think that I take it to heart now you see This is my design. You don't know the cost. So I'll keep my faith & you can stay lost. Who is With me!?"
The lyrics are heavy when the music heavy, calm when the music is calm, and shows a level of sincerity and creativity that forces you to listen to it more than once to understand its meaning. Matty has matured as a vocalist. Showing a great range of cleans as always, but now showing a great range of grows and high screams that we have not seen from him before. While some might be turned off by his "high" pitched singing, I personally believe it is perfect. // 9
Impression: Memphis May Fire shows through "Challenger" that they are one of the most skilled musicians out there today. Only a year after the release of "The Hollow", "Challenger" steps up the game in every aspect. It has something for everyone who enjoys the genre. "Challenger" rises Memphis May Fire to the top, and I doubt they will be coming down from there for a while. // 10
It's metalcore. There are breakdowns every 30 seconds or so. If you like that, good for you, if you're looking for something more sophisticated, go elsewhere.
The vocalist is without a doubt the best thing about this band.
Another metalcore band with a name that doesn't make sense.
Ok, true about what the guy in this band is doing not making sense, but he is not another man who's sticking a hot poker up his bum. I'd like to see you push that poker up YOUR bum and see if that would make sense.
EpiExplorer... Why are you constantly so bitter? All I see you do is post negative comments on bands/music you greatly dislike. There is absolutely no added value in your comments. So stop posting or add something usefull to the review discussion.
On topic: Sounds okayish, never heard of them but going to check them out
EpiExplorer... Why are you constantly so bitter? All I see you do is post negative comments on bands/music you greatly dislike. There is absolutely no added value in your comments. So stop posting or add something usefull to the review discussion.
On topic: Sounds okayish, never heard of them but going to check them out
Metalcore? I was thinking post hardcore but I can see how that fits.
Nevertheless, this is the last band out of that genre I can listen simply because they dont conform to the standard pattern all the other bands right now do.
Another metalcore band with a name that doesn't make sense.
Ok, true about what the guy in this band is doing not making sense, but he is not another man who's sticking a hot poker up his bum. I'd like to see you push that poker up YOUR bum and see if that would make sense.
Another metalcore band with a name that doesn't make sense.
Ok, true about what the guy in this band is doing not making sense, but he is not another man who's sticking a hot poker up his bum. I'd like to see you push that poker up YOUR bum and see if that would make sense.
EpiExplorer... Why are you constantly so bitter? All I see you do is post negative comments on bands/music you greatly dislike. There is absolutely no added value in your comments. So stop posting or add something usefull to the review discussion.
On topic: Sounds okayish, never heard of them but going to check them out
Hey, I'm not bitter, I'm just on holiday.
Also, I'll stop when metalcore stops.
If u dont like metalcore then dont go on a metalcore band's page...simple as that.
Metalcore? I was thinking post hardcore but I can see how that fits.
Nevertheless, this is the last band out of that genre I can listen simply because they dont conform to the standard pattern all the other bands right now do.
They use some harmonic minor scales and some permutations of those kind of scales. But aside from that, they sound like pretty much every trending metalcore band, but with some slight complexity (riff overload, as I like to call it).
I dont know if you know who Converge are, but they're the real deal, hardcore with metal riffs, metalcore, as it should be.
I dont know if you know who Converge are, but they're the real deal, hardcore with metal riffs, metalcore, as it should be.
Epi, you DIG Converge, i've seen you reference them many times Converge is not metalcore dude, Converge is just Hardcore with some Punk and Metal influence
I listened to the album. In truth, they do have better musicality than most metalcore bands. However, near the end of the album, the music seemed to get really same-y. Also, the lyrics sometimes came across as preachy, which I hate.
I dont know if you know who Converge are, but they're the real deal, hardcore with metal riffs, metalcore, as it should be.
Epi, you DIG Converge, i've seen you reference them many times Converge is not metalcore dude, Converge is just Hardcore with some Punk and Metal influence
They are the literal description of metalcore. How is a song like Axe To Fall not an example of metalcore? Metal riffs, metal production, metal vocals, hardcore drum patterns, hardcore aggression, hardcore lyrics and hardcores casual disregard for weakling ears.
It's easy to say things like that in an attempt to provoke a reaction but it won't work on me, because you're just wrong.
There are some simple facts about MMF that cannot be obscured by opinion.
They are generic but that doesn't stop them from being talented musicians, and that includes the vocalist.
I don't know of many other vocalists how can sing and scream with as great a range and clarity as he does. He also writes some good vocal melodies.
I don't love the band but he is a talented individual.
Gotta love stupid elitists who think anything not thrash or death metal isn't good music. I'm so glad I'm more open minded than that.
Anyway, this is a great album although I like The Hollow a bit more. This band is true and their emotions and music come straight from the heart... and that is what defines good music.
It's easy to say things like that in an attempt to provoke a reaction but it won't work on me, because you're just wrong.
There are some simple facts about MMF that cannot be obscured by opinion.
They are generic but that doesn't stop them from being talented musicians, and that includes the vocalist.
I don't know of many other vocalists how can sing and scream with as great a range and clarity as he does. He also writes some good vocal melodies.
I don't love the band but he is a talented individual.
I'm not trying to provoke, I'm just writing what's on my mind.
He may be talented, but when he sings with clean voice, he sounds like another American mediocre poprock vocalist and I hate to hear something like that in metal music.
As for the rest of the band and generally the metalcore genre, it's just too poor.
It's easy to say things like that in an attempt to provoke a reaction but it won't work on me, because you're just wrong.
There are some simple facts about MMF that cannot be obscured by opinion.
They are generic but that doesn't stop them from being talented musicians, and that includes the vocalist.
I don't know of many other vocalists how can sing and scream with as great a range and clarity as he does. He also writes some good vocal melodies.
I don't love the band but he is a talented individual.
I'm not trying to provoke, I'm just writing what's on my mind.
He may be talented, but when he sings with clean voice, he sounds like another American mediocre poprock vocalist and I hate to hear something like that in metal music. I'm sorry i just can't digest it.
As for the rest of the band and generally the metalcore genre, it's just too poor in sound. The only metalcore band I really can/like to listen is Bloodsimple.
I still don't understand the whole 'metalcore' thing.
I though a band that has breakdowns every 30 seconds is a hardcore band... I thought bloodsimple was a hardcore band... V.O.D. is...
When I think of metalcore, the default CD that comes to mind is Avenged Sevenfold - Waking the Fallen (and if all you ever heard is Nightmare, do no under any conditions attempt to tell me otherwise.), with the blend of screams, chugs, solos, even a punk element. Or to a lesser extent, Alive of Just Breathing by Killswitch. Although this isn't complete on the metal side, as there's barely any lead work on the album.
But I guess what metalcore really is, is around post 2005 hardcore.
Metalcore is pedal riffs, usually in the minor key of what ever tuning you're in. Add in a **** ton of breakdowns and a few melodic choruses and you're basically done.
Early Avenged Sevenfold, Killswitch, As I Lay Dying are the go to examples.
In my opinion August Burns Red are the best metalcore outfit around, one of the few I can bare to listen to. The song writing, technicality and progressive influence push them above the rest.
Memphis May Fire is one of those bands that just grow on you. I first heard them when I stumbled across their 'new ' song on youtube "Ghost In The Mirror" I listened to it a few times and loved it. I've been a fan ever since. I love their sound! They're also very amazing people! I got a chance to meet them this year's Warped Tour and noticed how extremely nice they are. Hats off to you MMF.
It's easy to say things like that in an attempt to provoke a reaction but it won't work on me, because you're just wrong.
There are some simple facts about MMF that cannot be obscured by opinion.
They are generic but that doesn't stop them from being talented musicians, and that includes the vocalist.
I don't know of many other vocalists how can sing and scream with as great a range and clarity as he does. He also writes some good vocal melodies.
I don't love the band but he is a talented individual.
I'm not trying to provoke, I'm just writing what's on my mind.
He may be talented, but when he sings with clean voice, he sounds like another American mediocre poprock vocalist and I hate to hear something like that in metal music. I'm sorry i just can't digest it.
As for the rest of the band and generally the metalcore genre, it's just too poor in sound. The only metalcore band I really can/like to listen is Bloodsimple.
So what you said was: He sucks because I don't like the sound of this voice. How can you judge someones skill if the argument you give is based on taste?
frankibo wrote:
jake garland is an amazing drummer as well
It's metalcore. There are breakdowns every 30 seconds or so. If you like that, good for you, if you're looking for something more sophisticated, go elsewhere.
The vocalist is without a doubt the best thing about this band.
thegrinch958 wrote:
jake garland is an amazing drummer as well
Whilst a good drummer I don't find the pieces he writes to be particularly entertaining or boundary pushing, they're simply what's required for the music.
I think Matt Greiner is the best metalcore drummer out there.
How about we just drop the genres for a second? I mean, you can't quite hate on this band without coming up with some stupid reason why you don't think they're are good. First off, their live performance is absolutely on point, second, they didn't sell out, third, they recovered from being robbed blind by their first recording label. This is obviously the sound they wanted and what catches their interests, they didn't make it sound the way it is for you, me, or anyone else. Good music comes from the passion and heart you put into it, and these guys clearly show that within the lyrics, cleanliness, as well as persistence within their current career. They've transcended and in my eyes, will be the ones to push past the barriers on this type of music. Anyone could say any band of any genre is generic, seeing as most "Genres" are called that for the sake of the way the music sounds, which would have to have similarities, right? Country, Hip hop, shit, even alternative. So, with this being said, judge it by how it makes you feel and what you get from it, not putting up your mental blocks. (:
Got a copy of this and I have really enjoyed it. I agree with others stop bashing the genre and just base the album on it's merits, and to me it's a great album.
