If you're a fan of All That Remains, you know exactly what to expect from The Fall Of Ideals, but there's more than meets the eye. Rather than offer up a slew of already heard song structures and riffs, the band does their best to break the chains that bind and recreate the Metalcore genre as it were. In some instances there is more focus on clean vocal lines (lead single "This Calling"), then there are other times ("The Weak Willed") where it's a growling and thrashing feast with vocal work reminiscent of Cannibal Corpse. One thing is for certain, there is melody to be heard. Every single track on this album has an irresistible groove that's further strengthened by the twin guitar attack of Martin and Herbert. This tandem, in fact might be the best guitar duo of our time. One listen to the lead-break of "It Dwells In Me" tells it all, these boys are guitar Gods in the making - AMAZING! Aside from this and the exceptional rhythm section of the band we have Phil Labonte, a man who to this genre and his band is worth his weight in gold. Outside of the guitar tag-team, Labonte's vocals are the identity of this band - they're strong, brandishing and furious when need be.

All of this combined with lyrical content of these tracks makes the listen so much more personal and heartwarming. Yeah, I know Metal isn't supposed to be heartwarming or is it? YES, it is.. I'd like to think that people who actually live life and see the good, bad and ugly of it all would feel this way. Metal isn't all about loud guitars, screaming vocals or explicit lyrics; at the core of it, it's about heart and how much of it you really have. Why do you think it's so aggressive? Not everybody is that mean or hateful, they have heart and in All That Remain's case, there's plenty of it! The tune "The Air That I Breathe" comes to mind in this case. "I will not relent, I will not quit, yes, I have been beaten but yet I stand". The Fall Of Ideals is a real kick in the ass and has been a great pick-me-up, not to mention it's one of the best albums I've heard this year. I recommend it to all who claim the flag of Metal! Until then get some heart and be somebody.