Devil's Gate Music
Related Articles
It’s astonishing to think that out of all the British metal bands who are part of the scene right now, Employed to Serve aren’t massive stars yet. For 14 years, they’ve created some of the most intriguing and refreshing metalcore that continues to evolve with each new release. They’re a lot of people’s best-kept secret, and a crucial piece to the puzzle of the UK metal community – and rightly so, as they are a much-needed breath of fresh air. And now, here we are with the release of their 5th studio album Fallen Star, which is already proving to be their magnum opus – a record that serves as a brilliant continuation from their 2021 album Conquering, but also does a great job at distancing itself completely from anything that they’ve ever done at the same time.
Kicking things off in a gloriously loud and thrashy fashion (a thrashion, perhaps? Sorry…) is the intro track Treachery. Wasting no time in grabbing the listener’s attention right from the get-go, a single snare hit sends the band into a complete frenzy, like a musical bomb being detonated. Vocalist Justine Jones goes straight into some gnarly screams and growls, with the verse hook of “Reptilian eyes staring at me/Conjures up the disappointment where love should be” hitting hard already. You’ll notice the theme as the album progresses, but every breakdown is heavy and groovy, no doubt taking inspiration from bands such as Machine Head and Spiritbox, and every guitar solo is manic and performed at breakneck speed, a true homage to thrash metal bands like Slayer and Megadeth.
The 11 selections from Fallen Star sound like they’ve been written for 2 sole reasons: arenas and mosh pits. How exactly we’re not seeing these tracks played live at the O2 Arena yet, I’ll never quite understand – these tracks hit a perfect balance between being crushingly heavy and elegantly atmospheric, which, aurally, is a treat to listen to. And it’s clear that the songs were written for mosh pits and walls of death, too, due to the ferocity and sheer intensity that each track holds. Take the mammoth Whose Side Are You On? for example, which features none other than Jesse Leach from Killswitch Engage. It’s obvious it’s a mosh pit worthy song, as the crushing hardcore-infused riff that is present throughout is groovy and filthy at the same time – and as the breakdown starts, Jesse even goes as far as to growl “When push comes to shove, you’ll be the first one off the edge” for fuck’s sake! How can you NOT throw yourself into the pit after that line?? It’s practically begging to see bodies collide into each other!
The record also showcases several big guest appearances, too, to fully elevate their sound and status. Take lead single Atonement, for example, that features none other than Will Ramos from Lorna Shore. Justine begins the track with a bellow of “Gripping tightly with my hands, you won’t stop my master plan/Why can’t you understand? If I can’t have you, no one can” before the track comes to life. Will’s vocals throughout the song range from the screeching noises that he is best known and loved for in his band Lorna Shore, but also through a surprising clean chorus, which definitely took me by surprise, as you rarely hear this side of him on record! Serena Cherry from Svalbard takes the mic for Last Laugh, a track that oozes 2000s metalcore and emo – perfect for fans of bands such as H.I.M. and From First to Last. Serena’s clean vocal deliveries contrast well against Justine’s unclean vocals, creating a mix that would seem dissonant to the untrained ear, but is actually a match made in heaven when you boil it down.
The band have said they’ve always wanted to “fly the flag for heavy metal and the traditions that it holds” and it definitely shows on this record. Yet at the same time, they have also managed to expand on their sound and evolve it further into a style that they can comfortably call their own. Fallen Star is a shining example of a band at their most creative, a band that continues to transform themselves and their sound into something more. It’s a sign of big (and much-deserved) things to come for Employed to Serve, and all they have to do is keep waving that flag high.
Fallen Star is available now via Spinefarm Records. For more information, head HERE.
Review – Joe Richardson
All images credit – Bethan Miller
Remaining UK headline shows:
JULY 10 Liverpool @ Rough Trade
JULY 11 Nottingham @ Rescue Rooms
Tickets available here: www.employedtoserve.com/pages/shows
