Band:	Shadows Fall
Album:	Retribution
Style:	Metalcore, Thrash metal
Release date:	September 15, 2009
A review by:	Jeff

01. The Path To Imminent Ruin
02. My Demise
03. Still I Rise
04. War
05. King Of Nothing
06. The Taste Of Fear
07. Embrace Annihilation
08. Picture Perfect
09. A Public Execution
10. Dead And Gone

Of all the Metalcore bands, Shadows Fall remains one of the most respected. The American band was one of the first in the league ok but of course this is just the great quality of a majority of their releases which gave this status to the band. After a so-so previous album, the guys left Century Media and it seems that that they're finally back to something better and less commercial. I'm quite sure that Retribution will be a nice reconciliation for some fans.

Keep in mind that Shadows Fall plays Metalcore and of course you'll find some really melodic riffs and choruses on their new release. It's just a matter of taste when it comes to Metalcore and I know that some metalheads just can't stand such melodies. On the other hand if you're into melodic Metal and obviously if you're a Metalcore fan, Retribution is just a perfect way to be happy. The album is damn effective and all the songs work pretty well. From the beginning to the end, you'll find some really good riffs in addition of some really cool technical guitar solos and arpeggios. This is just perfect to headbang and I can already tell you that songs like "A Public Execution" or "King Of Nothing" will become some circle pit and wall of death anthems! Of course, you'll have to accept the fact that the vocals remains really commercial but well this is how Metalcore works anyway and objectively speaking, it's not worst than some Power Metal singers (at the opposite).

The great point of the album is that we don't really have any break and letdown from its beginning to its end. All the songs are catchy and powerful. The guitarists are really good and give some really nice guitars solos and nobody will have the right to complain about the rhythmic which are perfectly done by the bass and an impressive drummer. With its really good (American) production Retribution doesn't suffer of any kind of problem. I can even say that this album is definitely less commercial than the last one and is a lot more "angry" and violent if you see what I mean.

After all it was probably not a bad thing to change of label and come back to something a bit more traditional if I can use this word. Sure Shadows Fall still play Metalcore and this album will not convince the ones who don't like this music but if you like the band and was disappointed by Threads Of Life, I'm sure that Retribution will change your opinion! Don't miss this release if you're a fan!