Artist: FALLUJAH
Album: DREAMLESS (CD)

Release date: 2016
EAN/UPS: 727361370923
Media type: CD

“I think the metal scene is immeasurably lacking in bands that offer emotional and atmospheric material,” says FALLUJAH vocalist Alex Hofmann. “Metal can’t remain as single serving as it is and hope to keep relevance. Bands need to bring a knockout live show and make the audience actually feel something other than mere impulse. It is for this reason that I think the world (or the metal world for that matter) has already been waiting for a band like FALLUJAH.”

Hofmann is onto something, actually. From FALLUJAH’s formation in 2007, the San Franciscans have melded brutality and brains into a sonic force with an unquestionable presence. Debut album, »The Harvest Wombs«, set the tech death world afire, with its smart brawn and well-placed jazz-rock interludes. The group’s follow-up album, »The Flesh Prevails«, further contrasted intensity with atmosphere. Tracks like 'Carved From Stone', 'The Night Reveals', and 'Sapphire' floored fans with their dexterity, ingenuity, and ferocity. FALLUJAH, however, aren’t content to be pigeonholed as tech death (or deathcore).

»Dreamless« was produced at Sharkbite Studios (EXODUS, HIGH ON FIRE) with Zack Ohren again at the helm. Having produced both »The Harvest Wombs« and »The Flesh Prevails«, Ohren made it easy for FALLUJAH to return. The relationship between FALLUJAH and Ohren is closer to brotherhood than hired studio gun. He knows how FALLUJAH work as a team, and how to get the best out of individual performances. He’s both taskmaster and cherished mentor. Plus, Ohren’s a true gearhead, something Hofmann cherished while cutting tracks for »Dreamless«.

“Zack has been pivotal in making our albums shine,” the singer grins. “His knowledge of technology and attention to detail has made him essential to the whole process. We never for a moment felt like we were just another band in the meat grinder with him, as he took a personal interest in making this album the best it could be. Having him tag team this record with Mark Lewis has produced crushing results.”

Fans and journalists have a close relationship with FALLUJAH - Hofmann and team spent a lot of time meeting kids online while recording »Dreamless«, actually - but the bond is destined to be stronger after they hear »Dreamless«. It’s at once a personal and rewarding experience. While FALLUJAH describe their music as “aggressive and emotional”, »Dreamless« will take FALLUJAH to new levels of renown. To wit, the Fog City residents are prepared to jettison the constraints of death metal while not forgetting the genre’s tenets.

“I want the kids to be able to put the record on and actually feel something real,” admits Hofmann. “I think if I had to direct their emotions it would be those of nostalgia, memories and someone of blissful ignorance. I want a fan to put on a song from a new record that he's never heard before and have it take him back to a time or place that the song has no attachment to. The melodies and atmospheres on this record are powerful in that way for all of us so we hope it has the same effect on other.”

TRACKLIST CD:

01. Face Of Death
02. Adrenaline
03. The Void Alone
04. Abandon
05. Scar Queen
06. Dreamless
07. The Prodigal Son
08. Amber Gaze
09. Fidelio
10. Wind For Wings
11. Les Silences
12. Lacuna

LINE-UP:

Alex Hofmann | vocals
Rob Morey | bass
Andrew Baird | drums
Scott Carstairs | guitars
Brian James | guitars