...of the Fallen

ok i will admit that Ricks vocals take a bit of getting used to, but i have heard way worse than this! Myself LOL* no really his vocals are just original, he's not "trying" to be Nick Holmes he's just doing what is inside, and i love this CD, I don't know what people mean when they say the production isn't that good, come on man the production is awesome! I have worked @ a studio for 10 years, i know what sux! Of The Fallen is my Fav Avernus album,The Isolationist second only because its only 5 songs.

I will agree with the fact that about 75% of people will hate Rick's vocals on this CD, but only because they won't let his style stand on his own, i don't think he's out of key that much and the style of the death back-up fits nicely. the mega barfing flesh eating vocals he's typically known for wouldn't have fit this recording.

every song is amazing! this piece of art is mocked a lot by others, but that's only because they didn't write the album that everybody was hoping for! well too bad i say! they did what the felt was them, you gotta respect that! also i think after so much criticism the band tried to agree with some of the nay sayers, i think if the CD was very successful Avernus wouldn't slag there own album!

there you have it!

In mid-nineties the Peaceville Three had started branching out from their original sounds. Paradise Lost and Anathema both wandering into the Gothic Metal realm while My Dying Bride losing their death vocals and settling into a more straight forward Doom Metal sound. Avernus (in theory at least) saw this trend and decided to follow suite. This album showcases the band losing their Doomdeath sound entirely and in its place adopting a full blown Gothic Metal style that is still incredibly original to this day.

Musically speaking (aside from a few noticeable screw ups specifically from the bass on one song towards the end of the album) this album is diamond in the rough. The production is alright, but the cohesion of the instruments, the melodies, & the female vocals make this album remarkable.

The biggest drawbacks from this are one, all traces of the bands prior Doom sound are all but forgotten; replaced instead by a more atmospheric Gothic sound that is completely ruined by the other drawback of this cd; the male vocals.

The band themselves have rebuffed this release calling it a mistake to this day. The two biggest reasons for this are the alienation of their core fans and Rick McCoy’s horrific foray into clean vocals. The band supposedly started out as a ‘Melodic Metal’ band but quickly changed to a Death Metal act because of Ricks’ vocals.

His vocals are off key, 70% of the time. The only saving grace is the complimentary female vocals that are laced in between his. He tries (noticeably too) to sing but fails miserably, perhaps laughably in places. He nearly reverts to his Death vocal styling in several parts but even those sound strained and somewhat out of place. The lyrics are good however and are of the romantic/fantasy ilk.

Over all, musically, lyrically and vocally (from the female singer) this album is simply amazing. However (as the band themselves will tell you) this album suffers greatly from Ricks’ lack of vocal prowess.