Source: Album Artwork
Memphis May Fire return to the scene with new album This Light I Hold, this release marks the fifth studio album by the Dallas quintet. Formed in 2006 they have found great success for a band of the Metalcore genre, debuting at Billboards Rock, Independent and Hard music charts with their last album Unconditional. Having also toured with acts such as Bring Me The Horizon, Sleeping With Sirens and Black Veil Brides it all adds to the impressive list of achievements that have driven this band to the top their genre.
This Light I Hold is a good album, don’t get me wrong, it just feels as though something is lacking. The musicianship and overall quality of this release delivers to the highest standard and is exactly what is expected of a band that has the pedigree of Memphis May Fire. Except it is difficult to feel any kind of emotional connection to this album, for those who appreciate technical brilliance and flawless execution this is an exceptional album. However for those who listen to music for the love of the content and the emotional stimulation that some music can induce, this album is a letdown.
It just seems to be about experiencing pain and lost love, all albums are, lets be honest. But when it is presented in the same format of heavy verse, slightly melodic chorus with some clean vocals for 12 of the 13 songs present, it becomes tiresome, just have a bit more finesse. Metalcore is not only about slaying minds with your powerful riffs, in the genre of music we listen to as a whole, it is about much more than that, its about connecting to the people who are listening to your art. Because without the intimate 300 people gigs, the powerful bond between band and fans, what is to separate us, and the people who blindly consume the music of the last X-Factor winner, who has all their music written for them and is number one in the charts because of their physical appearance? The answer is nothing.
It is a real shame, because Memphis May Fire can one of the hottest bands in the world, only if they can find the right balance.
