With "Grave New World" Soulfallen already released their second full-length within two years and showed a straight attitude and a straight vision. The title obviously lent on Huxley’s socio-critical classic with a little more dash of irony, the six guys who already started their career in 2003, turn in an apparently well thought-out piece of art.

By combining slightly rhythmic guitar elements with a hymnal and epical base, Soulfallen creates that special atmosphere, one can most easily describe with only one word as "Finnish". Using a very dark and, considering the title, also portentously undertone, the music is able to pull you away from any reality you thought yourself to be in. But still more, you must find that the words being intoned are maybe not that far away from our reality. Giving a view of no hope at all and a descending world which is hardly able to provide any reason to stay in the whole album is rather depressing and doesn’t mince matters that it shall be nearly impossible to find a glimpse of cheerfulness.

Regarding just the given atmosphere, "Grave New World" reminds a lot of Swallow The Sun, but is lacking the draft the music of them possesses. But it’s rather unjustified to compare Soulfallen with Swallow The Sun, because by a view of the total of it, they clearly elaborated an own distinct style. Nevertheless there are parts one might have problems with, e.g. the vocal style of singer Kai Leikola. Sometimes it seems that the harsh grunting is violating the music for it cannot match the rich atmosphere.

In the end I cannot leave unmentioned the fact that there is one song obviously outstanding on "Grave New World": "We Are The Sand". It’s one of the best songs I have heard any time recently. Thank you for that little masterpiece!

7,5 / 10

Claudia Schwarz – 05.01.2011