Album Review: In Fear And Faith - Symphonies

In Fear And Faith are known for introducing symphonic elements to the metalcore genre, albeit along with many other bands who have tried to freshen up a rather stale genre. However their new EP ‘Symphonies’ takes this idea and runs with it, producing full orchestral re-workings of seven previous In Fear And Faith tracks. Usual instrumentation has been replaced with pianos, violins and horns – along with an array of guest vocal appearances.

This odd affair begins with muffled electronic sounds in the form of ‘Novus Initium’, until the piano of ‘Bones’ introduces itself along with the first guest appearance from Nick Martin of D.R.U.G.S. Percussion then kicks in with haunting screams, against a clean and incredibly smooth vocal which works so well against the full symphonic soundscape. Third track ‘High Life’ forges quite epic moments with surging strings in the place of the usual breakdowns, with brutal screams given more power and impact over the atmospheric ensemble. All helped out by the guest appearances - due to the departure of screamer Cody Anderson last year. However when ‘Taste Of Regret’; featuring Tyler Smith of the Word Alive, kicks in you start to realise everything seems to merge, as the orchestral and electronic symphonies never seem to progress from the last.

Caleb Shomo of Attack Attack steps in for ‘The Solitary Life’ before an old classic ‘The Road is Paved With Good Intentions’, which features Craig Owens of D.R.U.G.S keep things moving in the same vein. Last track ‘Silence Is Screaming’ strips things back with a simpler arrangement that really demonstrates the great vocal ability of Scott Barnes.

You have to take your hat off to a band that has gone out of their way to produce something so drastically different, however odd it may be. Yet you have also got to question whether this release will reach outside the diehard of their fan-base, which in all honesty is doubtful. An outsider is more likely to be slightly confused and bring to question why in fact IFAF went out of their way to release such a bizarre EP, which is the question I’m asking myself right now.
2.5/5

‘Symphonies’ by In Fear and Faith is available now on Rise Records.

In Fear And Faith on Facebook.

Connor O’Brien