If I had to describe Blessthefall in one word, I'd use the word "mountain". I say this because with every album they release, they grow higher, taller, and more epic in scale. If you listen to each album and EP they've released (yes, I still remember both the Black Rose Dying EP AND self-titled EP) there is always a constant improvement over something from the previous release. The lyrics get better, the musicianship improves, the guitar sound heavier. Something always changes, yet the band have always retained their core sound. This is the reason why I, and many others, believe that Blessthefall are a force within the metalcore community to be reckoned with. Their co-headlining tour with Miss May I hits Santa Cruz tomorrow, and San Francisco on Monday, so we took a look at their full discography in advance of the show.
Black Rose Dying EP
Released: 2005
Label: Self-Released
Lineup:
Eric Lambert: guitar
Miles Bergsma: guitar
Andrew Barr: keyboards
Craig Mabbit: lead vocals
Jared Warth: bass
Matt Traynor: drums
Did you know that Blessthefall actually had two EPs before they broke out with His Last Walk? The first came in the form of a short demo EP entitled Black Rose Dying EP. There isn't too much here, but it's a very early introduction into what's expected to come from these guys. There's one song entitled "There's A Fine Line Between Love and Hate", as well as two demos for future songs "Black Rose Dying" and "Wait For Tomorrow".
Blessthefall EP
Released: 2006
Label: Record Collection
Lineup:
Craig Mabbit: lead vocals
Mike Frisby: rhythm guitar
Eric Lambert: lead guitar
Matt Traynor: drums
Jared Warth: bass
The lineup starts to take full form. Blessthefall have a label at this point backing their self-titled EP. With the exclusion of tracks "Take Me Now Parts 1 & 2", all of the tracks on the EP appear to be early versions of what we'll be hearing on His Last Walk, one year prior to its release. The vocals seem to be the same tracks that make it to the final record, while the instrumentals are in their early stages.
His Last Walk
Released: April 10, 2007
Label: Science
Lineup:
Craig Mabbit: lead vocals
Mike Frisby: rhythm guitar
Eric Lambert: lead guitar
Matt Traynor: drums
Jared Warth: bass
The instrumental tracks are re-recorded, mixed and mastered, and several new tracks appear. Blessthefall's debut album premieres, and thus truly begins the band's career. From the moment that the band rages into "A Message to the Unknown", the album is a full-on post-hardcore assault. It is the only album, however, to feature vocalist Craig Mabbit, who would then go on to leave the band and join post-hardcore rockers Escape The Fate.
Witness
Released: October 6, 2009
Label: Fearless Records
Lineup:
Beau Bokan - clean vocals
Eric Lambert- lead guitar
Mike Frisby - rhythm guitar
Jared Warth - bass, screams
Matt Traynor - drums
The image of a butterfly sitting in a barren field on what appears to be a freezing cold day is one that sits in the memory of many fans for years to come. Fans are clearly shocked when Mabbit leaves, and many are left wondering who will take his place. Little does everyone know that the next vocalist will be their strongest, and what I believe to be a much better fit for Blessthefall's type of music. Beau Bokan joins, and all hell breaks loose from the moment that Witness starts. "We're not dead, we're not dead, like you said," the band proclaims in "2.0". The guitars are heavier, the drums are more intense, and the lyrics are just as deep. A proverbial fire appears to have been lit under their ass.
Awakening
Released: October 4, 2011
Label: Fearless Records
Lineup:
Beau Bokan - clean vocals
Eric Lambert- lead guitar
Elliot Gruenberg - rhythm guitar
Jared Warth - bass, screams
Matt Traynor - drums
I vividly remember the day that this record came out. I was in college, and I was having a horrible time. I didn't party and I didn't drink. Music was my escape. A friend of mine and myself went over to the mall and picked up some new records. Awakening was one of my most anticipated. From the moment I pressed play, every bit of stress I had been having over the past several weeks melted away. "Promised Ones" is an epic showcase of what Blessthefall is capable of as a band, and "The Reign", to this day, features one of the heaviest, most powerful breakdowns in Blessthefall's history. A surge of adrenaline courses through my veins every time I hear it, even to this day. Fun fact: Chris Dudley of Underoath provided additional production on this album.
Hollow Bodies
Released: August 20, 2013
Label: Fearless Records
Lineup:
Beau Bokan - clean vocals
Eric Lambert- lead guitar
Elliot Gruenberg - rhythm guitar
Jared Warth - bass, screams
Matt Traynor - drums
At a certain point in every artist's career, there is the one album that is certified years later by fans as "the game-changer" in their career. Hollow Bodies is that game-changing record for Blessthefall. It is undoubtedly their heaviest record structurally (To Those Left Behind is heavier as whole, but the structure can't compare to Bodies). This is the first album the band have done with producer Joey Sturgis, stepping away from previous producer Michael "Elvis" Baskette, who worked extensively with the band on Witness and Awakening. Structurally, this is by far Blessthefall's masterpiece. Sturgis' strong-point in production is not just with song structure, but with synth production. His resume speaks for itself, and it's showcased very clearly on Hollow Bodies. From the moment "Exodus" creeps into the speakers, we're along for the ride, all the way to the smooth conclusion, "Open Water".
To Those Left Behind
Released: September 18, 2015
Label: Fearless Records
Lineup:
Beau Bokan - clean vocals
Eric Lambert- lead guitar
Elliot Gruenberg - rhythm guitar
Jared Warth - bass, screams
Matt Traynor - drums
At this point, Blessthefall have had a shit ton of experience with songwriting, touring and just, being a band. They've gone three albums without a lineup change. Other than a change in producer, you can tell that they've started to truly nail it. To Those Left Behind showcases the fact that Blessthefall truly know how to write a record and play together as a band. The musicianship is superb, and it's by far their heaviest album to date. The guitar tunings go lower than previous records. This album may have not been anything incredibly new, but there's nothing wrong with that. We're enjoying the ride and the fact that the band know who they are. The immaculate production is ear candy for fans old and new alike.
Blessthefall and Miss May I are currently on a U.S. co-headlining tour. For more music, tickets, and information on the band, visit www.facebook.com/blessthefall
This has been another Shameless Promotion.