EP REVIEW: One Fell Down - Dead Man Walking

This review was originally posted on Sputnikmusic on 7 August 2012.

One Fell Down are a relatively new group - this is their first proper release after a string of demos and performing in support of acts including Max Cavalera's tribal groovers Soulfly. But already they sound like a polished act. Their debut EP shows tons of ability from a band kicking and screaming (emphasis on screaming) their way out of the tiny Southend-On-Sea music scene.

The entire EP is unrelenting and full of groove however this band seems to lack the originality to take them forward - this could easily be a sub-par Lamb of God or possibly even a Chimaira release. The opening track, Cut From Scars, immediately kicks off with a catchy drum beat and some real hooks before the frontman Dan (I don't know his surname) comes in with some real Randy Blythe-esque screams. Cut From Scars is, along with the title track, the highlight of the album as the rest is distinctly average. God Bless shows a lot more aggression with some incredibly powerful screams from Dan but most of the song is largely forgettable. Hangman contains a lot more chugging riffs than the previous two songs and is very enjoyable, and will certainly appeal to the headbangers and the moshers.

The main riff to the follow up, No One Gets Out Alive, just sounds all too similar though. The song sounds like a mash of various other groove bands such as the already mentioned Lamb of God and Chimaira. The chorus even sounds a little like Dusk Dismantled by Trivium in some ways, albeit a much heavier interpretation. The mid-tempo chugging and a short solo keeps the attention. Clarity lacks quite the same sort of groove that is present on the rest of the EP and is another dip, though is not the worst song on the EP - it is still enough to keep you listening while God Bless was largely forgettable. This track also produces a nice break from the relentless aggression with a small bass section towards the end of the song leading into the breakdown that ends the song. The final track, Dead Man Walking, is probably the best song on the album and shows more of what 1FD can be capable of. Fast, powerful riffing, harsh vocals, massive groove. Everything a Roadrunner Records band could dream of if they weren't all busy leaving that particular label. In this song it is also more noticeable how similar the frontman's vocals are to Randy Blythe's.

All in all this is a good enough EP but one is left feeling that One Fell Down are capable of so much more than what they've produced so far.