Hopesfall (hardcore, band)

[nmn246]

Hi i wanted to know what everyone thought of hopesfall. They are my favorite hardcore band

[Kripes]

So I noticed there wasn't any real Hopesfall threads, and they're such a great band I think they deserve one.

To kick this thread off I thought I'd include some history of the band, and put up a review I wrote of their latest album, A Types.

Genre: Post-Hardcore, Melodic Hardcore (somewhat hard to place the band once you've heard A Types)

Current Lineup:
Jay Forrest - vocals
Joshua Brigham - guitar
Mike Tyson - bass
Dustin Nadler - guitar
Adam Baker - drums

Discography:
The Frailty of Words (1999, Takehold Records)
No Wings to Speak of (2001, Takehold Records)
The Satellite Years (2002, Trustkill Records)
A Types (2004, Trustkill Records)

Songs to start out with:
"Icarus"
"The Ones"
"Waitress"
"The Bending"
"Matchmaker's Haven"
"It Happens"


Hopesfall is an interesting name for a band. You’d think it would imply the music surrounding the name would be depressing. Truth be told, Hopesfall’s music is the complete opposite of depressing, and instead more uplifting than anything else. A Types would be the third LP for the band, and is a major change from their previous record, Satellites. The sound of the two records is completely different, and it is now hard to qualify what genre Hopesfall belongs to. Although post-hardcore has, and always will be the most fitting description of them.

One of the more note-worthy changes in A Types is it’s more commercial, but not in a negative way. Frontman Jay has mainly caused this by no longer screaming, and instead, sings softly, as well as melodically. This works fantastically for the band, because if it weren’t for his voice, A Types wouldn’t be the superb record it is. Even though he screams no longer, he still induces what I’d refer to as a throaty wail at times. “Icarus” is one of the tracks on A Types where he does this, and it is also the standout of the whole album. The song explodes straight into the first chorus at the beginning with barely any warning at all. In that first thirty-seconds of the song is where perhaps highlight of the entirety of A Types lays. Every instrument shines. The harmonized guitar that lays hidden, although audible. Pounding drums that are brought higher into the mix, which perhaps gives the song a raw feel. Then there is the other guitar, which is playing basic, but still incredibly melodic riffs. Even the bass is there, grooving all the way, which I love. Of course, there is also Jay’s flawless singing. Singing well-written lyrics. “I’ll put you back in your place. At a thousand miles you’d find out we are empty. And if I wrote out all our sins, it’d read a thousand lies, and show us we are empty.”

“The Ones” is the second best track on A Types. The guitar harmony during the verses is beautiful. The simple bass playing helps to relax the mood, as does Jay’s clean vocals. Although that changes whenever he screams “us by” at the end of the pre-chorus, which leads into every instrument coming in heavily for a whirlwind of a chorus, while the one guitar still keeps the translucent, single-note harmonization. Come to think of it, that single-note guitar harmony actually maintains a constant presence throughout the entirety of the record from the lead guitar. While the lead guitar is never technical, it is still entertaining enough, and the structure that it, and most of the other songs are written is simply jaw dropping. “Matchmakers Haven” is easily the heaviest song for A Types, but is still melodic at many times. The intro to the album is fast guitars playing the same repeating riff before going into the standard Hopesfall song (one guitar playing lead, the other playing riffs in the background). The final song on A Types seems to be an attempt to write a post-hardcore “ballad”. “Per Sempre Marciamo” reminds me of the Deftones song, “Change”, which is mainly for the few second interludes in the song that has Jay whispering before jumping into an amazing chorus. “I want to see in your eyes, your dilated eyes. Die criminal, die criminal, die criminal die.”

The fact that each song has something unique to offer is what helps make A Types a fantastic listen. Whether lyrics, vocals, guitar harmonization, song structure, tempo, or how each instrument interacts with the other, A Types is indeed both welcome, and entertaining. It simply can’t be told how rewarding it is to hear an album that has nothing holding it back. The fact that I write music inspired only by this record should be a clear sign of how high in regard I hold it. The song structure of many songs is impeccable, and the whole album is never boring. Each instrument has it’s own job in the system, and stands out for it. Thus I can’t impress upon any of you enough that you need this if you want any type of alternative/post-hardcore album.


Talk about the band.

[bungalow]

Who isnt?

[Kripes]

Originally Posted by bungalowbill357

Who isnt?

[bungalow]

Oh don't worry about it.
The kid who posted before me said that Hopesfall was in the KKK, his post just got deleted

[kevinpunx]

The satellite years album owns but A-types suck..

[xcult_classicx]

A-Types was ok, i liked the songs on it, but the Satellite Years was one hell of an album

[kevinpunx]

yeah a man exits is the best

[beat yr own KID]

**** the haters, hopesfall ownes except for A-types.

[riseagainstrocks]

A-Types was great for what it was.

Breathe From Coma is tight.