Reflections - When Shadows Fall Review
by Matt Hensch
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Cruz Del Sur Records definitely carries some of the best metal bands around, but Reflections does not fit in quite well in terms of substance. Sure they exercise that epic attitude often found within the label's usual groups, but this band simply is not enjoyable. When Shadows Fall came out under 2008's mystic moon as the band's third full-length effort, and an effort is exactly what it is with nothing horrendously ghastly or wonderful. Reflection's only problems is detected once When Shadows Fall begins, as one will immediately notice every song has identical ideas and textures, being pounded out again and again until it ceases to continue. Although a little interesting at its base, there is not a lot going on besides redundant formulas and bland tunes throughout this dull number.
So Reflection is basically a heavy/doom metal group from Greece. Of course, they apply the said qualities musically by the application of slow, pulsing riffs layered over low percussion, chunky bass lines, and a vocalist stretching into operatic territory. Overall, their overt identity is rather a haunting example of this heavy/doom hybrid, which is a steady idea and all, but here is the issue: they do not ever change it. Every song begins with clunking instrumentation, almost always using stop-start methods, before bending over once choruses completely take over and demonstrate constant, unrelenting repetition. If one has heard one song from When Shadows Falls, one has heard them all, and that just is not acceptable.
However, the transparent issues found within When Shadows Fall are not as bad as one would normally comprehend, although that is to not go without saying the album is dangerously mediocre overall. For example, Reflection always keeps an epic (think Battleroar or similar factions) edge throughout their melancholic notes, which debatably has some nice content during select moments. "Mistress of Sea" is definitely the record's highest point, showcasing Reflection's haunted heavy metal rather impressively, mainly because, once again, they can keep a slight cut of repetition enjoyable and fun. But of course, one should not expect this high-flying emotion to last; Reflection overuses it, and eventually withers into oblivion once more.
In a way, When Shadows Fall has no soul. It shows no emotion, no colors, no characteristics, and certainly not a drop of fun. Frankly, these guys do not give the epic nature any nutrients from such tomfoolery, and almost all listeners will agree there is something definitely wrong with Reflection's obsolete pattern. Perhaps Reflection needs to collect a proper establishment instead of lurking in these meandering areas that are not interesting or remotely entertaining, because music like this needs a decent spine, not one that cannot move. There are worse items in this crazy world of ours, yet Reflection's third record will not be an all-time hit or anything close, I guarantee it.
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Reflections - When Shadows Fall Rating:5.0
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