Reviews list for For the Fallen Dreams - Changes (2008)

Metalcore does not get as much respect as it deserves, especially not from metal purists out there. One of the more underrated bands of the genre is For the Fallen Dreams. Their debut Changes is one of my favorite metalcore debut albums, with many of the songs have a perfectly equal blend of melodies, riffs, and breakdowns. If masterpieces like this are getting little attention nowadays, changes shall be made!

This perfect balance is what makes this band so unique. The breakdowns are made beyond imagination and they would make you get on your knees and beg for more. You'll find a lot of this awesomeness if you give the album a go.

"Brothers In Arms" references soldiers in distress at war, "Where were you, when I needed you?!" Next song "New Beginnings" has amazing riffing and a total mindf*** of an awesome breakdown midway through. The tempo slows down for the breakdown going deeper than the Mariana Trench (not to be confused with that August Burns Red song), perfected by the guitars not touching down immediately. "Hopeless" has an amazing riff verse surrounding the one-minute mark, and the ending breakdown also rules.

"Last Dying Breath" has an epic final third that adds positivity to the earlier violent lyrics, "My last dying breath, I'll bleed for you, my last dying breath, I'll die for you!" The first of two 2-minute interludes, "This World Around Us" actually has a small lyrical verse, and those few lines are quite great. "Never Again" is quite strong in the music and lyrics. The final third of that song is interesting as it starts an amazing bridge riff that leads into a brutal breakdown that's slightly forced but still punishing as f***. The title track is the second interlude, this one being an instrumental. That shows how beautiful the band can make their music without having to rely on lyrics.

"Vengeance" is perhaps the most aggressive track here, and I especially love the final 30 seconds, when a growl of "STEP OFF!!!" kicks off a pulverizing breakdown. "Falling Down" has more lyrical maturity. "Through the Looking Glass" is an awesome 6-minute epic. The one-minute intro is beautiful, but not as much as the final two minutes of epic glory, concluding the song and the album with synthesized strings that fade into a solitary snare drum, as the war ends and the surviving soldiers march home...

I could probably write a novel about the war depicted in the album that can be used as its soundtrack. This band and album was missing in my life until last year, and I would love to continue listening to Changes any time. A true masterpiece in my ongoing metalcore quest!

Favorites: "New Beginnings", "Last Dying Breath", "Never Again", "Vengeance", "Through the Looking Glass"